At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a multidisciplinary design team on exciting civil and structural engineering projects.
- Company: Established engineering consultancy with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, pension, health benefits, and funded professional development.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with opportunities for travel and site visits across the UK.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the rail sector while advancing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Chartered Engineer with 8+ years of consultancy experience in civil or structural engineering.
About the Opportunity
Our client, a well-established and expanding engineering consultancy, is looking for an accomplished Chartered Engineer to take the helm of a multidisciplinary design team, based at their Leeds office.
Operating across major a range of civil and structural engineering projects - with a strong emphasis on the rail sector - you will provide technical and strategic direction to ensure the safe, innovative, and compliant delivery of complex projects from feasibility through to detailed design.
Key Responsibilities
- Team Leadership & People
Management: Mentor, develop, and allocate workloads across a multidisciplinary engineering team.
You will lead on recruitment, conduct one-to-ones and performance appraisals, identify training needs, and manage HR/disciplinary matters in line with internal policies.
- Technical Oversight & Assurance: Direct the production, checking, and approval of engineering drawings, calculations, technical reports, specifications, and risk assessments.
Act as CRE (Contractors’ Responsible Engineer) or CEM (Contractors’ Engineering Manager) on rail schemes, subject to experience.
- Project & Commercial
Delivery: Take ownership of project programmes, budgets, and key milestones.
You will oversee project variations, assess commercial impacts, manage third-party sub-consultants, and support the preparation of tenders, scopes of work, and bid proposals.
- Client & Stakeholder
Engagement: Serve as a key technical point of contact for clients and external disciplines.
Lead design reviews, attend progress meetings, and undertake site visits, surveys, and inspections across the UK.
- Digital Delivery & Governance: Ensure all outputs adhere to BIM protocols, Common Data Environment (CDE) workflows, and relevant UK/European regulatory frameworks.
Maintain internal technical standards, contribute to Integrated Management System (IMS) compliance, and produce monthly KPI reports for senior leadership.
- Candidate Profile
- Qualifications & Chartership: Hold an Engineering Council-accredited degree (BEng/MEng) in Civil or Structural Engineering, alongside Chartered status with the ICE or IStruct E.
- Experience: Bring at least 8 years of post-graduate consultancy or design experience, demonstrating a proven track record of leading multidisciplinary infrastructure projects from concept to completion.
- Sector & Regulatory
Knowledge: Possess strong working knowledge of British/European Standards, Building Regulations, and design approval processes (such as Network Rail or National Highways).
Experience with Network Rail standards is highly advantageous.
- Technical Software: Confident operating within a Common Data Environment, with hands-on proficiency in Project Wise and Bentley Micro Station.
- Mobility: Hold a full UK driving licence with the flexibility to travel to project sites and client offices as required.
- What’s on Offer
- Competitive salary
- Car or Allowance, Pension, Health
- Easily accessible offices
- Continued funded CPD
- Positive and flexible working environment
How to Apply: If you would be interested in being considered for this opportunity, please send an up to date CV detailing your career history to date
Design Manager / Principal Engineer employer: Brown And Wills Recruitment Ltd
Brown and Wills Recruitment Ltd is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the picturesque setting of Richmond, North Yorkshire. With a strong commitment to employee development and a culture that prioritises safety and quality, team members are encouraged to grow their skills while contributing to impactful projects like the £5m residential build. The company values robust communication and collaboration, ensuring that every employee feels supported and engaged in their role.
Contact Details:
Brown And Wills Recruitment Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager / Principal Engineer
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Design Manager / Principal Engineer role you’re after at Brown And Wills Recruitment Ltd.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at Brown And Wills Recruitment Ltd a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at Brown And Wills Recruitment Ltd.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Design Manager / Principal Engineer at Brown And Wills Recruitment Ltd, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager / Principal Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Design Manager / Principal Engineer, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Brown And Wills Recruitment Ltd a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Brown And Wills Recruitment Ltd specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Brown And Wills Recruitment Ltd
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Brown And Wills Recruitment Ltd, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like Brown And Wills Recruitment Ltd want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
