Design Manager - Water Treatment & Non-Infrastructure Projects

Location: Hybrid - Peterborough (minimum 3 days per fortnight in the office)
Type: Permanent
Salary: -75,000 - -85,000 + -6,0007,000 car allowance or company car, 5% pension contribution, up to 7.5% annual bonus and flexible benefits package


Lead the delivery of major AMP8 water investment projects

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Design Manager to lead the delivery of engineering solutions across a diverse portfolio of potable water non-infrastructure projects. Working within a highly collaborative programme environment, you will play a pivotal role in delivering upgrades, maintenance works, storage asset improvements, groundwater abstraction schemes and emergency projects that support critical water infrastructure.
This role offers the opportunity to shape engineering delivery during one of the largest investment periods the UK water sector has seen, whilst leading and developing a talented multi-disciplinary team.


The Role

As Design Manager, you will lead a team of approximately 15-20 engineers and technical specialists, ensuring the successful delivery of safe, sustainable and value-driven design solutions.


Key Responsibilities



Design Management

• Lead engineering design delivery across a portfolio of potable water non-infrastructure projects
• Develop and manage engineering project plans covering scope, programme, cost, risk and resources
• Provide technical direction on treatment processes and engineering solutions alongside senior discipline engineers
• Assess project complexity and allocate suitable engineering resources
• Implement quality assurance processes and drive a right-first-time approach
• Manage supplier and subcontractor design inputs from engagement through to integration

Project Delivery

• Work collaboratively with operational, commercial and delivery teams to achieve project objectives
• Identify opportunities to improve affordability, efficiency and value
• Support programme development and delivery against key milestones
• Promote sustainable engineering solutions throughout project lifecycles

Health & Safety

• Undertake delegated Principal Designer duties under CDM Regulations
• Manage competency assessments and design risk management activities
• Ensure design risk assessments and health and safety documentation are produced and maintained to a high standard

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide clear and visible leadership to a multi-disciplinary engineering team
• Manage performance, development and career progression activities
• Support recruitment and succession planning initiatives
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement

Transformation & Innovation

• Support the transition and development of engineering delivery within AMP8
• Drive innovation, experimentation and improved ways of working
• Champion low-carbon design, natural capital improvement and digital engineering solutions

About You

To be successful in this position, you will ideally have:

• Degree qualified in an engineering discipline
• Chartered Engineer status, or actively working towards Chartership
• Experience delivering potable water treatment or non-infrastructure projects within the UK water sector
• Previous experience managing multi-disciplinary engineering teams
• Strong understanding of UK water industry regulations and standards
• Knowledge of CDM Regulations and design risk management
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Experience managing programmes, resources, quality and risk
• A passion for innovation, sustainability and continuous improvement

What''s on Offer?

• Up to -85,000 basic salary
• -6,0007,000 car cash allowance or company car
• 5% employer pension contribution
• Up to 7.5% annual performance bonus
• Flexible benefits package
• Hybrid working arrangement
• Opportunity to lead a significant AMP8 project portfolio
• Long-term career progression and professional development
• Exposure to high-profile water infrastructure and treatment schemes
• Collaborative and forward-thinking working environment

If you''re an experienced Design Manager, Engineering Manager or Design Lead looking to take on a key leadership role within AMP8, we''d be keen to hear from you.

For a confidential discussion or to apply, please contact Leon Smith, Murray McIntosh at If this opportunity aligns with your experience and career ambitions, apply today and take the next step in your water sector leadership career.