Senior Design Engineer - Railway Civil EngineeringCrewe £50,000-£60,000 Permanent Full-time
Join a Growing Team - Clear Progression to Technical DirectorAre you a hands-on design engineer looking to step up into a leadership role with real influence over business direction? We're seeking a Senior Design Engineer to join my client's small management team and take ownership of railway civil engineering projects from quotation to completion.
What Makes This Role Different?
Real technical work - You'll personally undertake calculations and design work, not just manage others
Complete project ownership - From tender stage through to as-built drawings
Management team position - Direct involvement in business decisions and strategy
Clear progression path - Principal Engineer → Technical Director opportunities
No glass ceilings - We promote based on capability and contributionSenior Design Engineer role detailsYou'll lead the design team while maintaining hands-on involvement in complex railway infrastructure projects. This isn't just a management position - we need someone who can demonstrate genuine design capability and wants to grow with their business.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead technical design work, including calculations, drawings, and specifications
Act as Design CRE on projects where required
Manage and develop our design team through mentoring and guidance
Represent the company at client meetings and industry events
Take projects from quotation through to completion
Contribute to business development and strategic planningEssential RequirementsProfessional Status:
Chartered Engineer (or demonstrably close to achieving chartered status)
Degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline
Member of relevant institution (ICE, IStructE, PWI, etc.)Technical Expertise:
Proven hands-on design capability in railway civil engineering
Experience as or ability to become Design CRE
Strong knowledge of relevant standards and CDM regulations
Competent with design calculations and technical problem-solvingLeadership & Communication:
Track record of successfully managing design teams
Excellent communication skills for client representation
Ability to mentor and develop junior team members
Strong organisational and project management abilitiesPersonal Attributes:
Genuine desire for career progression and business involvement
Positive, willing attitude with a collaborative approach
Self-motivated with the ability to work under pressure
Commitment to supporting business growth activitiesDesirable Skills
CAD experience (particularly MicroStation)
BIM knowledge and awareness
Safety management qualifications (NEBOSH, IOSH)
Experience with electronic project systemsCompetitive Package
Salary: £50,000-£60,000 (exceptional candidates considered above range)
Hours: 39 hours/week (9am-5pm, core hours 9:30am-4pm)
Holiday: 25 days plus bank holidays
Pension: Statutory schemeFlexible Working (Post-Probation)
4-day week option available
Hybrid working: 1 day per week from home
Probation period: 26 weeksCareer Development
Support for chartered status achievement
Clear progression pathway to Principal Engineer/Technical Director
Professional development training and CPD support
PTS card training provided
Mentoring from an experienced management teamWork Environment
Small, collaborative management team
Direct involvement in business decisions
Opportunity to shape company direction
A variety of challenging railway infrastructure projects
Supportive culture focused on professional growthAbout the OpportunityThis role offers the perfect blend of technical challenge and business development for an ambitious engineer ready to take the next step in their career. You'll join a company that values genuine expertise and provides real progression opportunities.
We're looking for someone who:
Wants to be involved in business management, not just technical delivery
Takes pride in personally delivering high-quality design work
Enjoys developing others and building strong teams
Is excited about representing the company externally
Sees this as a long-term career move with growth potentialReady to Take the Next Step?If you're a chartered (or near-chartered) engineer with genuine design capability and leadership aspirations, we'd love to hear from you.
To apply, please submit your CV along with a covering letter that demonstrates:
Evidence of your chartered status progress
Examples of hands-on design work you've personally delivered
Your experience in team leadership and development
Why are you interested in business involvement and career progressionPlease send your CV to (url removed)
INDMAN