Design Manager

Design Manager

We are looking for an experienced Design Manager to lead and shape a growing engineering design team.

This senior role will suit an engineer who enjoys leading people as much as solving technical problems. You will take ownership of the design function, guiding engineers, CAD technicians and graduates while ensuring high-quality, integrated designs are delivered safely, efficiently and to programme and budget.

You will also play a key role in strengthening design capability - improving processes, introducing the right tools and helping develop the next generation of engineers. If you enjoy building strong teams, improving how things are done, and delivering technically excellent work, this could be the right next step.

As Design Manager, you will lead the delivery of multidisciplinary engineering design across projects while developing the capability of the team.

Key Responsibilities

- Managing, mentoring and developing engineers, CAD technicians and graduates
- Building and growing the design team while maintaining a positive and collaborative team culture
- Leading the design process on multidisciplinary projects within regulated infrastructure sectors
- Ensuring design deliverables are safe, coordinated, compliant and technically robust
- Delivering design packages within agreed timescales and budgets
- Challenging and improving existing design processes and procedures
- Driving the adoption of appropriate design software, BIM and 3D modelling where beneficial
- Ensuring the team works in accordance with relevant standards, best practice and quality requirements
- Managing and recording design changes within project packages
- Supporting project teams with estimating design hours and resource planning

We are looking for someone with the experience and confidence to lead a design team while maintaining a strong technical understanding of engineering delivery.

Requirements

Essential
- Around 10+ years' experience in engineering design, ideally within a regulated sector such as:
- Water
- Rail
- Highways
- Bridges
- Oil & Gas
- Nuclear
- Degree or HND in an engineering discipline
- Strong IT and digital design capability
- Experience managing multidisciplinary design teams and projects
- Proven ability to develop junior engineers and build team capability

Desirable
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle
- Experience working within the regulated water industry
- Chartered Engineer status, or actively working towards chartership

Why Join

This is a growing engineering consultancy environment where people are not just a number. Teams are small enough for individuals to have real influence, but experienced enough to deliver complex projects for major infrastructure clients.

This is an opportunity to shape a team, influence how design is delivered, and play a key role in the continued growth of the business.

Location & Working Arrangements

The team is ideally based from an office in Manchester, and regular collaboration in person is encouraged where possible. However, hybrid or remote working arrangements can be considered for the right candidate.

The office is located close to public transport links including bus and tram stops within a 5-minute walk, and a range of cafés, pubs, restaurants and shops nearby. The building also offers free access to a fully equipped gym, with showers, changing facilities, hairdryers, towels and toiletries provided, making it easy to fit exercise around the working day.

Benefits & Development

From the moment you join, your wellbeing and career aspirations will be supported by:

- Company pension
- Professional membership and chartership mentoring and support for engineers working towards professional accreditation
- Regular line management engagement and appraisal to support career progression
- 23 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays
- Additional annual leave after two years' service
- Option to purchase additional annual leave
- Regular CPD opportunities, including lunch-and-learn sessions with industry specialists
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Free fruit in the office
- Monthly team brunches and quarterly social events

For contractors, engagements outside IR35 can also be offered.