Engineering Manager – Water
Location: Manchester
Salary: £75,000 – £90,000 per annum
Type: Permanent
The Role
We are seeking an experienced Engineering Manager to lead the delivery of multi-disciplinary water industry design projects. Based in Manchester, this role will see you managing and developing a team of engineers, CAD technicians, and graduates while taking overall responsibility for technical quality, programme, and compliance across a portfolio of regulated water projects.
You will act as a senior technical authority and Professional Head for the design function, driving best practice, innovation, and continuous improvement in engineering delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, manage, and develop multi-disciplinary design teams across civil, process, and MEICA disciplines
- Act as Professional Head for the design function, providing technical leadership and governance
- Identify, develop, and communicate safe, efficient, and value-engineered design solutions to clients and project teams
- Ensure all designs comply with relevant technical standards, professional guidelines, and water company specifications
- Review, approve, and sign off design packages to ensure quality, safety, and integration
- Drive the adoption of appropriate software tools, BIM, and 3D modelling where required
- Manage production of fully integrated design deliverables that meet safety, quality, time, and budget expectations
- Interpret, review, and communicate changes to standards and procedures across the design team
- Lead and manage design programme, resource planning, and estimation of design hours
- Ensure all design changes are captured, managed, and recorded in line with formal processes
Required Qualifications & Experience
- Minimum 10 years’ experience in the regulated water industry
- Degree or HND in an engineering discipline
- Chartered Engineer status
- Strong IT skills and familiarity with modern engineering design tools
- Proven desire and capability to take a senior leadership role within an engineering design environment
Preferred Qualifications & Experience
- Strong understanding of civil, process, and MEICA design
- Demonstrated track record managing multi-disciplinary design teams and complex projects
- Experience working with BIM and digital design environments
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle
Key Skills & Competencies
- Strong technical leadership and decision-making capability
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Results-focused with a commercial and programme-driven mindset
- Ability to develop, mentor, and inspire engineers at all levels
- Collaborative team player with strong problem-solving skills
What’s On Offer
- Competitive salary of £75,000 – £90,000
- Manchester-based leadership role within a growing water engineering business
- Opportunity to shape technical direction and influence major UK water projects
- Supportive environment with scope for continued professional development
If you are an established Engineering Manager or senior water engineer ready to step into a high-impact leadership role, we’d welcome your application
