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