Project Design Lead

Project Design Leader - Water / Design & Build
Location: Bristol based + site visits
Type: Permanent or Contract | Full-Time | Hybrid working

The opportunity

A strong opportunity for a Project Leader / Design Manager / Project Engineer to join a long-term AMP8 programme delivering water and wastewater infra and non-infra schemes across the South West.

This role offers something different to a traditional Project Manager position - combining project management and hands-on design engineering, with full ownership from outline design through to construction and handover.

With secured framework funding through to 2030 (and likely further extension), it offers both long-term stability and genuine career progression, including a clear pathway to chartership.

The role

You will lead and own project delivery, ensuring technical, commercial and delivery objectives are aligned from day one.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the design and delivery of water and wastewater projects from outline through to commissioning and handover
• Work as part of a "project triangle" with a Site Manager and Quantity Surveyor to balance technical, commercial and constructability considerations
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary teams (civil, mechanical, electrical, process and BIM)
• Ensure delivery on programme, within budget and to required quality standards
• Contribute to design within your discipline where required
• Mentor junior engineers and support team development
• Build strong relationships with client stakeholders and promote a "one-team" approach
• Maintain compliance with relevant frameworks, specifications and CDM 2015 requirements

About the programme

You'll be supporting a major AMP8 investment programme, delivering non-infrastructure and treatment schemes across the south west and south coast.

This is a varied portfolio of work focused on improving water and wastewater services, offering exposure to both treatment and non-infrastructure projects.

What we're looking for

This position suits engineers looking to move into (or already operating within) a hybrid design + project leadership role.

Essential experience:

• Degree in Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical or Process)
• Incorporated Engineer (or working towards chartership)
• Experience delivering water or wastewater projects
• Outline and/or detailed design experience
• Knowledge of CDM 2015 Designer / Principal Designer duties
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills

What's on offer

Financial & benefits

• Salary up to 55,000 + package
• Pension matched between 4.5% - 7%
• Annual bonus scheme
• Professional membership fees paid

Work-life balance & wellbeing

• 33 days annual leave (flexible buy/sell options)
• Private medical, life assurance and wellbeing options
• Hybrid working (home / office / site)

Family & flexibility

• 26 weeks' paid maternity/adoption leave
• Enhanced paternity/partner leave
• Additional leave for carers

Learning & development

• Structured programme to support chartership
• Mentorship, training and real project ownership from day one
• Exposure across full project lifecycle within a design-and-build environment

Why apply?

This is a strong opportunity to step into a role that offers:

• Full lifecycle project ownership
• A genuine mix of technical delivery and project management
• Long-term AMP framework security
• Fast-tracked professional development

If you're working in the water sector and want a more integrated role where you can lead projects and stay close to the engineering, this is worth exploring.

Apply now or get in touch for a confidential discussion:

Leon Smith
Murray McIntosh