Job Title: Project Design Lead
Salary: £55,000 to £65,000 (dependent on experience)
Location: Falmer, Brighton (Hybrid)
Type: Permanent, Full-Time (Hybrid working)
About the Role:
This is a rare opportunity to manage the technical design of large-scale, high-impact water infrastructure projects. As a Project Design Lead, you'll play a pivotal role in a £400M capital investment programme across five of our client's most strategically important surface water treatment sites.
You'll be at the heart of transforming the resilience and quality of water supply, leading technical design teams, coordinating cross-discipline collaboration, and ensuring environmental, operational, and customer needs are all reflected in design decisions.
About the Client:
Our client is a major UK water company undertaking one of the largest infrastructure upgrades in the region. With sustainability, innovation, and resilience at the forefront of their agenda, they are committed to delivering long-term value for customers and the environment.
Key Responsibilities:
Safety & Environment
Ensure compliance with CDM regulations and all health, safety, environmental, and quality standards
Develop project-specific health and safety strategies and risk assessments
Champion sustainable and safe engineering practicesDesign & Technical Leadership
Lead multidisciplinary design teams to deliver technically robust and cost-effective solutions
Drive standardisation and innovation in engineering design
Ensure delivery quality, resource planning, and supplier managementInnovation
Promote digital design solutions and challenge conventional approaches
Work collaboratively with supply chain partners to adopt industry best practicesFinancial & Commercial
Deliver solutions aligned with project budgets and performance metrics
Work closely with project and programme managers to track costs and provide forecasts
Influence internal and external stakeholders on efficient design investmentProgramme Delivery
Monitor design progress against programme milestones
Proactively manage delays and maintain delivery momentumCustomer & Stakeholder Engagement
Ensure technical solutions align with customer and regulatory expectations
Represent our client at industry events, contributing thought leadership through presentations and papers
What Our Client is Looking For:
Degree or HND/HNC in Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related field
Chartered (or working towards) membership of a recognised professional institution
Experience in project management and engineering within the water or utilities sector
In-depth knowledge of H&S standards and regulatory frameworks
What Our Client Offers:
Salary up to £65,000 per annum (DOE)
Hybrid working model
Company and performance-related bonus
Generous pension (up to 11% company contribution)
25 days annual leave + bank holidays
Life assurance (4x salary)
Health Cash Plan and Digital GP access
Salary sacrifice electric car scheme (after 6 months)
Cycle to work scheme
Funded eye tests and study support
Two paid volunteering days per year
Occupational health and well-being support
Discounts with over 800 retailers
Enhanced maternity policies and flexible return-to-work options
Eligibility:
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. This role requires on-site presence (Brighton area) on a hybrid basis and regular interaction with design and operations teams.
Opportunity for Growth:
With exposure to one of the UK's largest water investment programmes and interaction across engineering, operations, and environmental disciplines, this role provides significant long-term career development in infrastructure leadership.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status