Design Manager – Water
Location: Manchester
A leading engineering design consultancy is seeking a Design Manager to lead a collaborative civil and multidisciplinary design team. The role provides an opportunity to manage and develop technical staff while shaping the delivery of a diverse portfolio of water-sector programmes, including clean water, wastewater, and infrastructure projects. Hybrid working is available with occasional site visits.
About the Role
The Design Manager will lead, manage, and develop the design team to ensure high-quality engineering outputs across multidisciplinary water projects. You will guide designers, shape design processes, implement best practice, and encourage continuous improvement while ensuring deliverables meet programme, safety, and technical standards.
Key Responsibilities
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Manage, direct, and develop engineers, CAD technicians, and graduates.
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Build and grow the design team while maintaining a positive team ethos.
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Lead the design process for multidisciplinary water industry projects.
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Shape, improve, and enforce design procedures and formal processes.
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Introduce and implement appropriate software tools, promoting BIM and 3D modelling.
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Ensure design deliverables satisfy safety, quality, and integration requirements.
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Maintain design programme discipline, ensuring outputs meet agreed timescales.
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Drive compliance with technical standards, best practice, and water company specifications.
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Ensure all design changes for allocated packages are fully recorded.
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Support estimating of design hours and planning of design resources.
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Attend progress meetings, contribute to technical discussions, and represent the design function professionally.
Required Qualifications & Experience
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Minimum 10 years’ experience in engineering design within regulated sectors such as water, oil and gas, nuclear, highways, or bridges.
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Graduate or HND in a relevant engineering discipline.
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Strong IT capability and familiarity with design tools.
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Proven experience managing multidisciplinary design teams and complex design packages.
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Track record of training, developing, and mentoring junior staff.
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Chartered Engineer or actively working towards chartership.
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Full driving licence and access to a vehicle.
Preferred Qualifications & Experience
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Experience delivering designs across clean water and wastewater projects.
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Experience with infrastructure and non-infrastructure assets.
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Strong understanding of construction methods, materials, and engineering drawing practices.