Design Coordinator, Rail – Dublin

WSP; Dublin; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work policy

Work-life balance

Flexible hours

Gymflex discounts

Virtual GP access

Chartership support

Disability confident hiring

Job summary

WSP seeks an experienced engineering professional to lead design across major infrastructure packages in Ireland. You will drive civil/structural design for rail projects, coordinate multi‑disciplinary teams, and align with client and regulatory requirements across stages from design to construction.

You will lead design coordination, manage resources, and ensure safety in design principles are embedded. Hybrid working options and career development are available.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in the design of major infrastructure projects, including both design and construction stages, rail sector experience.
• Experience in heavy civils and structures infrastructure design.
• Experience leading discipline engineering teams during design phases.
• Experience coordinating multi‑disciplinary design deliverables across organisations on complex projects.
• Experience managing design resources and deliverables.
• Ability to communicate complex design issues to technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Experience applying safety in design principles and hazard mitigation.
• Understanding of major infrastructure programmes and PPP/DBFOM concepts.
• Knowledge of engineering standards (IS/BS/EN/NFPA) and railway systems lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Maintain familiarity with design development across packages and contracts.
• Collaborate with integration and stakeholder managers to support design and engineering activities.
• Coordinate input from Design and Engineering with statutory and non‑statutory stakeholders.
• Ensure effective communication within the technical team to enable procurement of major contracts.
• Foster a safety‑in‑design culture on the programme.
• Review designs for technical acceptability during tendering and post‑award, ensuring standards compliance.
• Promote best‑for‑programme design coordination across interfaces.
• Provide ad‑hoc support across DEEDS functions in design management and assurance.
• Prepare engineering management plans and comply with strategies and processes.
• Help establish robust quality management systems and high‑performing culture.

Skills

Infrastructure design

Rail systems engineering

Civil & structural design

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Systems engineering lifecycle

NEC contracts

Quality assurance

Communication skills

Risk management

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Responsibilities

• Maintain familiarity with the design development of specific (station) packages across multiple contracts including enabling works, civil and structural, and rail systems and operations.
• Collaborate with integration managers in the Delivery function, and others, to support the Design and Engineering function activities in undertaking MetroLink’s oversight of the contractor’s coordination and integration obligations.
• Collaborate with stakeholder managers in the Stakeholder Engagement function, and others, and coordinate input from the Design and Engineering function activities, in engagement with statutory and non‑statutory stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the Heads of Engineering and Environment for each contract and the Heads of sub‑functions (e.g. Head of Engineering Coordination and Compliance, Head of Civils and Building etc.) to ensure effective communication and decision‑making are applied within the technical team. Therefore, enable successful procurement of the major infrastructure contracts, while also considering the design and requirements of other core contracts throughout the process.
• Assist in fostering a strong safety‑in‑design culture on the MetroLink programme.
• Assist in reviewing designs developed by consultants and other contractor(s) for technical acceptability during tendering stage and post contract award, ensuring compliance with standards and constructability requirements.
• Promote a ‘best‑for‑programme’ approach to design coordination issues across contract interfaces.
• Ad hoc duties for the Design, Engineering, Environment, Digital and Sustainability (DEEDS) function in implementing design management and technical assurance for the MetroLink programme.
• Assist in the preparation of engineering management plans, and comply with these plans and other MetroLink strategies, plans and processes.
• Assist in establishing strong quality management systems for the design process and work towards fostering a high‑performance culture.
• Identify potential design risks and mitigation strategies on the relevant packages.
• Provide support in the monitoring and management of design change in accordance MetroLink’s change management procedure.
• Assist in the preparation of design related presentations, reports and schedules as required.
• Perform additional tasks, activities or other duties as may be required or assigned as part of the role.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in the design of major infrastructure projects, including both design and construction stages of the project lifecycle, to include experience in the rail sector.
• Experience (which may be concurrent with above) in the design of heavy civils and structures infrastructure.
• Experience leading teams of discipline engineers during the design phase of a project.
• Experience of coordination of multi‑disciplinary design deliverables across multiple organisations on complex infrastructure projects.
• Experience managing design resources and deliverable outputs.
• Experience communicating complex design issues to technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Experience in the application of safety in design principles and hazard identification and mitigation.
• Understanding of the organisation of major infrastructure programmes (i.e multiple projects).
• Knowledge of heavy civils and structural design and construction activities.
• Understanding of design and construction activities pertaining to the urban realm (utilities, highway works, landscaping etc.)
• Knowledge of relevant engineering specifications and standards, IS, BS, EN, NFPA and other international standards.
• Understanding of railway systems and of systems engineering lifecycle activities including from the design and development phases into production, integration, verification, validation, and acceptance.
• Strong analytical and organisational skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team to generate coherent design requirements, interface documentation and related project outputs, liaising with other functions and departments as required.
• Ability to effectively engage with and manage relationships with various stakeholders, including client, contractors, third parties, regulatory bodies, and internal teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to facilitate clear and consistent dialogue between all parties involved.
• Ability to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with the project.
• Understanding of NEC contracts and how they are managed.
• Understanding of the principles of PPP and DBFOM contracts.
• Strong collaboration skills to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams and ensure cohesive project delivery.
• Ability to develop and comply with quality assurance processes to ensure that project deliverables meet the required standards.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing project requirements and environments.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and relate to individuals and groups – both technical and non‑technical.
• Degree (or equivalent) in an engineering discipline

Benefits

Work‑life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community.

Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP.

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.

Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40 % off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

To enhance work‑life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.

We also provide part‑time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.