Principal Design Manager - Water Sector

About the role

An exciting opportunity exists for an experienced Principal Design Manager to provide technical leadership on water non‑infrastructure projects for a major UK water utility. You will influence design direction, interact directly with the client and lead multidisciplinary engineering teams across civil, mechanical, electrical and process disciplines.

Key responsibilities

• Lead design delivery across a portfolio of water non‑infrastructure projects.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams (civil, mechanical, electrical, process) to ensure integrated solutions.
• Develop and manage design programmes for multiple concurrent projects.
• Review and approve design deliverables against industry standards and client specifications.
• Act as the primary design interface with the water utility client.
• Support project managers with budgets, resources and design risk management.
• Mentor engineers and design leads within the team.

Required profile

• Degree qualified in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer status or working towards chartership.
• Strong experience within the UK water sector.
• Proven track record delivering design programmes across multiple projects.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Required skills

• Civil engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Electrical engineering
• Process engineering
• Design programme management
• UK design standards (including CDM regulations)
• Water industry specifications

What we offer

• Competitive salary of £70,000‑£85,000 per annum.
• Opportunity to lead high‑profile water sector projects within a growing consultancy.
• Hybrid working with 1‑2 days per week on‑site at the client’s Tamworth office.
• Professional development and mentorship responsibilities.