Design Lead / Principal Design Engineer
Location:Manchester (Hybrid Working)
Employment Type: Permanent

Overview

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Design Lead / Principal Design Engineer to take a senior technical leadership role within a multidisciplinary engineering environment.

You will lead design delivery across regulated infrastructure programmes, providing technical direction, ensuring design quality, and supporting the development of engineering teams.

Why This Role

• Lead a multidisciplinary engineering team across major infrastructure projects
• Influence technical standards and design quality
• Long-term pipeline of infrastructure work
• Opportunity to shape design capability and best practice
• Senior leadership position with real impact on delivery

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop engineers, technicians, and junior staff across multiple disciplines
• Act as technical authority for design delivery and approvals
• Oversee production of integrated design packages to quality, cost, and programme requirements
• Ensure compliance with relevant standards, regulations, and client requirements
• Drive safe, efficient, and value-engineered design solutions
• Support use of digital engineering tools including BIM and 3D modelling
• Interpret and apply technical standards and updates
• Manage design change control and documentation
• Support planning and estimation of design activities
• Promote continuous improvement in design processes

Requirements

• Strong experience in multidisciplinary engineering design in regulated environments
• Experience leading engineering teams and design delivery
• Understanding of civil, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, control, and process interfaces
• Chartered Engineer or working towards chartership
• Experience in structured engineering design environments
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Ability to mentor and develop engineers
• Degree, HND, or equivalent engineering qualification
• Full UK driving licence preferred

Additional Information

• Experience in water, utilities, or infrastructure sectors is preferred
• Experience with BIM and digital design tools is advantageous
• Strong focus on quality, safety, and engineering excellence