Design Manager in Reading

Are you an experienced Design Manager or Senior Design Engineer with strong technical knowledge of fire systems, building services or critical infrastructure environments? Our client is looking to appoint a Design Manager to lead the design and technical delivery of complex engineering projects from concept through to completion. This is a senior role with responsibility for managing design outputs, coordinating internal and external stakeholders, supporting project delivery and ensuring all technical work is accurate, compliant and commercially robust.

This opportunity would suit someone with proven design leadership experience within fire safety, building services, construction or engineering. Knowledge of fire detection and/or suppression systems will be important, with experience of data centre or critical infrastructure projects being particularly valuable. The role requires a confident technical communicator who can support design teams, project teams, suppliers, clients and commercial colleagues while maintaining high standards of quality, safety and delivery.

As Design Manager, your duties will include:

• Leading the design and technical documentation process across multiple engineering projects.
• Managing design deliverables including drawings, calculations, technical submissions, method statements, HSE documentation, as-built records and O&M manuals.
• Preparing build budgets and technical designs ahead of procurement and construction activity.
• Producing, reviewing and approving engineered system designs in line with client requirements and relevant standards.
• Managing, supporting and developing design team members to ensure work is delivered accurately and on time.
• Providing technical input to sales, estimating, procurement, project delivery and site teams where required.
• Ensuring designs comply with legislation, client specifications, internal standards and relevant fire safety regulations.
• Liaising with clients, consultants, suppliers, contractors and internal departments to resolve design and technical queries.
• Providing site-based technical support where needed and maintaining accurate records of design decisions.
• Monitoring supplier updates, industry developments and technical changes that may impact future project delivery.

Suitable applicants will ideally demonstrate:

• Proven experience in a Design Manager, Senior Design Engineer or technical design leadership role.
• A background in construction, engineering, building services, fire safety or a closely related technical discipline.
• Strong knowledge of fire detection and/or fire suppression systems, with awareness of relevant standards such as BS 5839 and BS 5306.
• Experience working on data centre, critical infrastructure or technically complex project environments would be a strong advantage.
• Ability to produce, review and challenge technical drawings, calculations and design documentation.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage, motivate and support technical design staff.
• Commercial awareness, including experience of budgets, cost control and project lifecycle considerations.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel.
• Experience using AutoCAD, Revit or similar design software would be advantageous.
• A degree or equivalent qualification in engineering, architecture or a related technical discipline would be preferred.
• A full UK driving licence may be required for occasional site visits.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a high-quality specialist engineering business in a senior design leadership role. The position offers a salary of £70,000 - £90,000, hybrid working with just 1 day per week office-based in Reading, and the chance to play a key role in the successful delivery of technically demanding fire and life safety projects.

To apply, please submit your CV by clicking on the relevant links. If successful, you will be contacted by one of our consultants within 3 working days. Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications we expect to receive for this vacancy, if you do not hear from us within this time, you should presume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.