Design Manager
Contract type: Contract | Scope: Outside IR35 | Location: Manchester | Industry: Water | Pay: £50.00–£65.00 per hour (competitive rate)
Purpose of the Role
We are working with a specialist engineering consultancy providing design and infrastructure support across the rail and utilities sectors. The organisation supports projects from early design through to installation, delivering safe and efficient solutions on complex infrastructure programmes.
The Design Manager will lead and manage multidisciplinary design teams delivering engineering projects within the regulated water industry. The role is responsible for ensuring design deliverables are completed on time, to the required quality and safety standards, while supporting the development of the design team and improving internal processes.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage, direct, and develop engineers, CAD technicians, and graduates within the design team.
- Support the growth of the design team while maintaining a positive and collaborative working environment.
- Lead the design process on multidisciplinary water industry projects.
- Improve and implement formal design processes and procedures across the team.
- Promote and implement appropriate software tools, including BIM and 3D modelling where required.
- Ensure the team produces integrated design deliverables that meet safety, quality, and technical standards.
- Ensure design packages are delivered within agreed timescales and project budgets.
- Ensure relevant standards, best practices, and design tools are consistently applied.
- Manage and record design changes throughout the project lifecycle.
- Support estimating and planning of design hours for project delivery.
Required Qualifications & Experience
- Around 10 years’ experience within the engineering design industry in regulated sectors such as water, rail, oil & gas, nuclear, highways, or bridges.
- Degree or HND in a relevant engineering discipline.
- Strong IT skills and familiarity with engineering design tools.
- Experience working within the regulated water industry.
- Proven experience managing multidisciplinary design teams and projects.
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
Preferred Experience
- Chartered Engineer status or working towards chartership.
- Experience building and developing engineering teams, including mentoring junior staff.
Key Skills
- Strong leadership, communication, and problem‑solving skills, with a results‑focused approach and the ability to develop and support multidisciplinary engineering teams.
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