Project Design Lead
Gloucestershire
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
Salary: £45,000 to £55,000 Annual + bonus, pension
Hours Per Week: Full Time
