Design Unit Manager

SMEC (an SJ Group company); Mandaluyong; On-site; PHP 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

SMEC (an SJ Group company) invites a senior civil engineer to lead a multidisciplinary team of design engineers, BIM modellers and CAD specialists for coastal and marine infrastructure projects in the Philippines. You will oversee design production, QA, and client coordination, ensuring timely delivery and compliance with international and local standards.

You will liaise with clients, contractors and authorities, review technical designs, and provide expertise in geotechnical and structural

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in civil engineering from a recognised university.
• 10+ years of relevant civil engineering experience in large-scale infrastructure/reclamation projects.
• Ability to manage and coordinate all design activities and teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of Design Engineers, BIM Modellers, and CAD Specialists, providing technical guidance and oversight to ensure design management and timely project delivery.
• Collaborate with SJ/SMEC units to establish teaming agreements and coordinate across sectors.
• Ensure implementation of design management and QA systems per SJ/SMEC BMS and QA procedures.
• Oversee structural/geotechnical design and design review activities, including checking contractor submissions.
• Interface with clients, contractors, and authorities, presenting technical information clearly during design.
• Coordinate with design, QA/QC, construction management, and project control teams to support construction planning and timelines.
• Prepare/Approve design and geotechnical letters and coordinate with construction/admin teams.
• Provide professional structural/geotechnical services for marine facilities including soil investigation, tests, and laboratory work.
• Analyze/approve soil improvement, geotechnical stability, and coastal protection designs.
• Design all structural/geotechnical elements from foundations to above-ground works using concrete and steel.
• Ensure designs comply with Design Process Plan and standards (British Standards, ASTM, Philippine standards).
• Review/Approve reports and Design Specifications for Tender documents.
• Carry out design reviews for coastal structures such as quay walls, ports, jetties, revetments and land reclamation.

Skills

Team leadership

Project coordination

English communication

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Civil Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Civil 3D

Plaxis

MS Office

Job description

• Key responsibilities:
• Lead and manage a team of Design Engineers, BIM Modellers, and CAD Specialists, providing technical guidance and oversight to ensure effective design management and timely project delivery.
• Provide support and collaborate with other units or sectors within SJ/SMEC that require assistance from the Coastal Design Team, through the establishment of a teaming agreement.
• Ensure implementation of design management and design quality assurance systems, including: ensuring design production to a high standard in accordance with SJ/SMEC Business Management System (BMS), Quality Assurance (QA) procedures and appropriate technical standards
• Be responsible for all Structural/Geotechnical design and design review activities and meeting for the project, including checking of contractor design submissions with endorsement as internal quality control process.
• Be able to liaise with and prepare technical presentation to Client, Contractor and government authorities independently during the design process and ensure client requirements are clearly identified and addressed.
• Effectively coordinate with the design, QA/QC, construction management, and project control teams on design-related matters and activities to support construction planning, progress, and timelines. Provide assistance as needed.
• Prepare / Approve letters related to design and geotechnical instrumentation issues and coordinate with construction management / contractual administration team.
• Provide professional and competent structural/geotechnical engineering services for commercial, public, industrial, and other relevant structures in Marine Facilities like revetment, shoreline protection, and ports and harbours structures. The services includes soil investigation, field tests and laboratory works and design.
• Analysis / Approve and design of soil improvement, geotechnical stability and coastal protection works.
• Analysis / Approve and design of all structural/geotechnical elements from foundations to above ground works across a range of materials including concrete (both reinforced and pre /post tensioned) and steel.
• Ensure all designs are prepared in accordance with the Design Process Plan and standards as issued by SJ/SMEC including British Standard, ASTM and Philippines design standards on civil engineering, public works and highway and marine and coastal related works.
• Review and approve reports related to the design, and in accordance with the Client requirements.
• Review / Approve Design Specifications for Tender document.
• Carry out design review (where applicable) of C&S and geotechnical design and analysis for coastal structures such as quay wall, port, jetty, revetment and land reclamation etc. for local and/or oversea projects.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor/master’s degree in civil engineering from recognised and reputable university
• At least ten (10) years of relevant civil engineering experience in large scale infrastructure/reclamation projects
• Possess the skill, knowledge and ability to manage and co-ordinate all the design activities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
• Team player and able to multi-task
• Discipline, self-motivated and resourceful
• Experience in contract administration will be advantageous
• Well-versed in Microsoft Office Suite of Software (e.g. Word, PowerPoint, Excel etc)
• Proficiency in engineering software such as AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Plaxis etc
• Ability to work on tight deadlines.
• Willing to accept Project-base status

At Surbana Jurong, we put talent, hard work, teamwork and a fun workplace together to approach problems and solve them creatively and collaboratively. Join us in making a positive impact on the world!