At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire design teams in wastewater treatment projects for a sustainable future.
- Company: Join a growing Water Design team focused on innovative solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with strong focus on mentorship and career development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on environmental sustainability while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering and experience in wastewater design required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 70000 £ per year.
Do you want to be part of a growing Water Design team? Can you lead and inspire multidisciplinary design teams? Are you experienced in wastewater treatment design and delivery? Then, read on. This could be the next adventure in your career.
Create Solutions that will enable a better tomorrow.
To further expand our Water team, we are looking for a Design Manager (Wastewater Non-Infrastructure) to join us. You’ll be responsible for the design and delivery of wastewater treatment and non-infrastructure projects, including treatment works upgrades, process optimisation, sludge treatment, pumping stations, and associated MEICA and civil assets.
Your key responsibilities will be:
- Managing and delivering the design of wastewater non-infrastructure projects across all AMP8 stages, from optioneering and outline design through to detailed design and commissioning support.
- Acting as Design Manager within collaborative delivery models (e.g. alliances and frameworks), ensuring integration across process, civil, mechanical, electrical and ICA disciplines.
- Ensuring best-for-project and TotEx-led design solutions, balancing capital and operational expenditure.
- Managing wastewater process design integration, including treatment performance, resilience, and compliance with tightening regulatory standards (e.g. nutrient removal, storm overflow reduction).
- Embedding digital engineering and BIM principles into design delivery, supporting data-driven decision making.
- Managing design programmes, resources, risks, and budgets to meet AMP8 delivery milestones.
- Overseeing design risk management activities (HAZID, HAZOP, ALM) and embedding safe-by-design principles to comply with CDM Regulations.
- Collaborating with contractors, suppliers, and client teams to deliver integrated and buildable solutions.
- Supporting carbon reduction and sustainability objectives, including low-carbon design and circular economy principles.
- Contributing to bids, tenders, and framework growth within AMP8 and beyond.
- Building and sustaining trusted client relationships as a reliable delivery partner.
- Mentoring and developing engineers and designers, supporting capability growth aligned to AMP8 demand.
Your skills. Our team. Together we design the future.
The first step to success in this role is that you are eager to collaborate with the people around you, whether they are colleagues, partners, or customers. Developing ties with others is something you do by acting respectfully and delivering on your promises. And you never get set in your ways but keep exploring new insights and ways to improve.
On top of that, you’ll have:
- Degree-qualified in Civil, Mechanical or Process Engineering (or a related discipline).
- Achieved Chartered Engineer status (e.g. MICE, MCIWEM, IChemE or equivalent), or working towards chartership.
- Extensive experience in wastewater non-infrastructure design within UK water sector frameworks (AMP7/AMP8).
- Established experience serving as a Design Manager or senior design leader in cooperative delivery structures such as alliances and frameworks.
- Demonstrable experience delivering TotEx-driven solutions and understanding of Ofwat regulatory drivers.
- In-depth knowledge of wastewater treatment processes (e.g. activated sludge, SBR, MBR, sludge treatment, tertiary processes, nutrient removal).
- Experience working under NEC3/NEC4 contracts in a Design Manager or Designer’s PM capacity.
- Thorough understanding of digital engineering, BIM, and the use of common data environments.
- Knowledge of sustainability, carbon reduction, and environmental compliance within water projects.
- Demonstrated leadership, stakeholder engagement, and client-facing skills.
- Commercial awareness, including programme and cost control within design delivery.
Design Manager (Wastewater Non-Infrastructure) in York employer: COWI
Join a forward-thinking company that prioritises innovation and sustainability in the water sector. With a strong emphasis on employee development, our collaborative work culture fosters creativity and growth, allowing you to lead multidisciplinary teams in delivering impactful wastewater projects. Enjoy the flexibility of hybrid working while contributing to solutions that ensure a better tomorrow for communities across Derby, London, York, Glasgow, and Bristol.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager (Wastewater Non-Infrastructure) in York
✨Get Involved in Local Environmental Initiatives
Dive into your local environmental scenes, like community clean-up projects or eco-focused events. Not only will you meet like-minded people, but it's a surefire way to showcase your passion and skills in environmental engineering tech.
✨Join Industry-Specific Organisations
Check out organisations like the Institution of Environmental Engineers for networking opportunities and resources. They often host events and seminars that can help us connect with key players in the industry, including potential employers like COWI.
✨Show Off Your Projects and Passion
Create a portfolio that highlights any relevant projects, whether it's coursework, internships, or personal initiatives. Share this online, perhaps even on platforms like GitHub or your own website, to grab the attention of hiring managers looking for talent like us.
✨Utilise Environmental Job Boards
Take advantage of niche job boards dedicated to environmental careers. Sites like Green Jobs, Environmental Career and EcoJobs often feature openings from companies like COWI and can help us land that full-time gig.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager (Wastewater Non-Infrastructure) in York
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for a role in environmental engineering tech, make sure to highlight your technical skills like CAD software proficiency, data analysis, or modelling techniques. These are essential for the job and should stand out in your CV and cover letter, showing how you can contribute to projects at COWI.
Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability:In this field, showcasing your passion for sustainability and environmental protection can set you apart. Include any relevant projects, volunteer experience, or courses that underline your commitment to these causes. COWI will appreciate candidates who genuinely care about making a difference.
Tailor Your Application to the Role:Don't just send a generic CV and cover letter. Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Design Manager (Wastewater Non-Infrastructure) at COWI. Highlight experiences that align directly with the job description and give concrete examples of your work to demonstrate that you’re the right fit for a full-time position.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have certifications related to environmental engineering or technology, like LEED Accreditation or any relevant software certifications, make sure to mention them. These qualifications can boost your application and show that you’re serious about your professional development in this competitive field.
How to prepare for a job interview at COWI
✨Brush Up on Environmental Regulations
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest environmental regulations and standards. In an environmental engineering tech role at COWI, you might be asked specific questions about compliance measures, so understanding these will definitely give you an edge.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your proficiency with relevant tools and software, such as AutoCAD or GIS. You might be given a practical problem to solve during the interview, so it’s a great idea to brush up on these skills and perhaps even bring a portfolio of your projects to showcase your technical prowess.
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sustainability
In a full-time role, employers are looking for commitment and enthusiasm. Share your experiences, studies, or projects that reflect your passion for environmental sustainability. This will show COWI that you're not just qualified but genuinely invested in the field.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Be ready for behavioural questions that assess how you handle teamwork, conflict, and project management. Think of examples from your studies or practical experiences where you tackled challenges effectively, showcasing both your technical and interpersonal skills.
