Engineering Manager – Water & Wastewater Design
Location: Manchester (Hybrid working)
Salary: Dependent on contract type (Perm or outside IR35 contract)
An established, growing design contractor is seeking an Engineering Manager to lead and develop its water and wastewater design capability. This is a key leadership role within a small, agile business delivering technical design solutions across clean water and wastewater infrastructure projects in the UK.
The position offers a blend of technical oversight, people leadership and client-facing responsibility, making it well suited to an experienced engineer ready to step into a broader management role or an existing Engineering Manager looking for greater influence within a close-knit organisation.
The Role
The Engineering Manager will take overall responsibility for the delivery and quality of engineering design outputs across multiple water and wastewater projects. Working closely with project managers, clients and delivery partners, the role will ensure designs are technically robust, commercially sound and aligned with programme requirements.
Key responsibilities include leading and mentoring the design team, managing workload and resources, overseeing design governance and approvals, and acting as a senior technical point of contact internally and externally. The role will also contribute to business growth through input into bids, early-stage solutions and client engagement.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and manage a multi-disciplinary design team delivering water and wastewater projects
* Provide technical assurance and design governance across all stages of project delivery
* Oversee design planning, resourcing and programme alignment
* Support and develop engineers through mentoring, reviews and performance management
* Act as a senior technical interface with clients, contractors and stakeholders
* Input into bids, tenders and feasibility studies, shaping practical and buildable solutions
* Drive continuous improvement in design processes, standards and ways of working
About You
* Degree qualified in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline
* Strong background in water and/or wastewater design within a consultancy or contractor environment
* Proven experience leading design teams and managing technical delivery
* Sound understanding of UK water industry standards, regulations and asset owner requirements
* Comfortable balancing hands-on technical input with leadership and coordination
* Chartered status (or working towards) with ICE, IMechE or similar is desirable
Why Apply?
This is an opportunity to join a growing contractor where engineering leadership genuinely shapes project outcomes and business direction. The role offers real autonomy, visibility at senior level and the chance to make a tangible impact across essential water infrastructure schemes.
Hybrid working is supported, with regular collaboration from the Manchester office.