Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Design Manager to lead and coordinate civil engineering design activities on a major nuclear and heavy civils project based in Whitehaven. The role sits at the heart of project delivery, ensuring that all permanent and temporary works designs are developed, integrated, assured, and delivered in line with nuclear regulatory requirements, framework obligations, and programme objectives.
The successful candidate must have proven experience working within civils design frameworks, managing multi‑disciplinary design teams and interfacing effectively with construction, commercial, planning, and client stakeholders in a highly regulated nuclear environment.
Key Responsibilities
Design Management & Governance
Lead the management of all civils and structural design activities from concept through detailed design to construction support and handover
Implement and maintain the project Design Management Plan in line with nuclear standards, client requirements, and framework procedures
Ensure design deliverables comply with relevant standards, codes, specifications, and nuclear regulatory expectations
Manage design change control, ensuring impacts on safety, cost, programme, and constructability are fully assessed and controlled
Civils Design Framework Delivery
Operate effectively within an established civils design framework, ensuring compliance with framework governance, approvals, and reporting requirements
Coordinate multiple design consultants and specialist designers under framework agreements
Ensure framework KPIs, deliverables, and assurance processes are met
Support early contractor involvement (ECI) and design optimisation activities
Multi‑Disciplinary Coordination
Chair and lead design team meetings, technical reviews, and design risk workshops
Coordinate interfaces between civils, structural, geotechnical, temporary works, utilities, and construction teams
Ensure design is fully integrated with construction methodology, temporary works, and logistics strategies
Nuclear Safety, Assurance & CDM
Ensure design supports nuclear safety cases and hazard mitigation requirements
Act as, or support, the Principal Designer function under CDM Regulations where required
Ensure health, safety, and buildability risks are eliminated or reduced through design
Support internal and external audits, assurance reviews, and regulatory scrutiny
Stakeholder & Client Interface
Act as the primary design interface with the client, regulators, and key stakeholders
Provide clear, professional advice on design status, risks, and opportunities
Support programme, commercial, and risk teams with design‑related inputs
Skills & Experience
Essential
Proven experience as a Design Manager on major civils or infrastructure projects
Demonstrable experience working within civils design frameworks
Experience delivering design in highly regulated environments (nuclear, energy, defence, or similar)
Strong knowledge of civils and structural engineering design processes
Experience managing multi‑disciplinary design teams and external consultants
Strong understanding of CDM Regulations and design risk management
Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
Eligible for UK security clearance
Desirable
Previous experience on nuclear‑licensed sites or nuclear infrastructure programmes
Experience with NEC and/or Design & Build contracts
Temporary Works design coordination experience
Familiarity with nuclear design assurance and safety case processes
Qualifications
Essential
Degree (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering or a related discipline
Chartered Engineer or working towards chartership (ICE or equivalent)
Desirable
SMSTS
Temporary Works Coordinator / Supervisor training
APM or equivalent project management qualification
Personal Attributes
Technically strong, organised, and detail‑focused
Confident leading design discussions at senior level
Proactive, solutions‑focused, and able to challenge constructively
Comfortable working in complex, safety‑critical project environments