Locations: Multiple offices across the UK in most major cities (hybrid & flexible working available)
Sector: UK Water Utilities
Employer: Leading international engineering consultancy
About the opportunity
A leading engineering and professional services consultancy is expanding its UK Water team following recent success across several AMP8 water and wastewater frameworks. As part of this growth, they are seeking experienced Engineering Design Managers to lead the delivery of clean water and/or wastewater treatment programmes across multiple regions.
These roles sit within a well-established water business that delivers complex projects across the full project lifecycle, from early feasibility and optioneering through to outline and detailed design. The organisation is known for its strong technical capability, collaborative culture, and long-term framework relationships with UK water companies.
The role
As a Design Manager, you will be responsible for leading multi-disciplinary design teams and overseeing the delivery of water or wastewater treatment projects within a framework environment. You will work closely with technical leads, project managers, and client stakeholders to ensure solutions are delivered safely, efficiently, and to a high technical standard.
Depending on your background and interest, the role can focus on clean water treatment, wastewater treatment, or a combination of both, with flexibility to shape the position around your expertise.
Key responsibilities include:
Leading and coordinating multi-disciplinary design teams across water and/or wastewater treatment projects
Managing the delivery of feasibility studies, optioneering, outline and detailed design
Ensuring technical quality, programme certainty, and commercial performance
Acting as a key point of contact for clients and framework partners
Providing technical leadership, review, and assurance of design outputs
Supporting bids, proposals, and framework-related growth activities
Mentoring and developing junior and mid-level engineers
Contributing to the development of innovative, sustainable, and digital design solutionsThe role offers long-term progression within AMP8 and beyond, with opportunities to influence strategy, develop services, and shape future delivery models.
Candidate profile
Essential requirements:
Chartered Engineer status (CEng) with a recognised professional institution
Strong technical background in water and/or wastewater treatment
Proven experience delivering feasibility and outline design within the UK water sector
Track record of technical leadership within multi-disciplinary engineering teams
Experience working within framework environments
Ability to review and approve technical calculations, drawings, and reports
Strong communication skills and confidence working directly with clients
Willingness to travel to client offices and project sites as requiredDesirable experience:
Experience leading both clean water and wastewater treatment projects
Understanding of regulatory, sustainability, and investment drivers within UK water
Experience building and developing high-performing technical teams
Strong report-writing skills with the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly
Awareness of digital engineering tools and modern delivery approaches
What's on offer
Long-term AMP8 workload with a highly secure project pipeline
Roles available across multiple UK locations with flexible and hybrid working
Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package
Strong commitment to professional development, chartership support, and career progression
Inclusive, people-focused culture with a genuine emphasis on wellbeing and flexibility
Additional information
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK (sponsorship is not available for these roles)
The employer is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and encourages applications from all backgrounds
Reasonable adjustments and flexible working arrangements are fully supported
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