At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design and technical delivery of complex engineering projects in fire safety.
- Company: Join a high-quality specialist engineering business with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Excellent career growth opportunities and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on technically demanding fire and life safety projects.
- Qualifications: Proven design leadership experience in construction or engineering required.
Salary: £70,000 - £90,000
Location: Reading
Type of work and hours: Full-time, hybrid working with 1 day per week office-based 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.
Job Description
- 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.
Person Specification
- 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.
Design Manager in Reading employer: Grassroots Recruitment Ltd
Join a leading specialist engineering firm in Reading as a Design Manager, where you will enjoy a competitive salary of £70,000 - £90,000 and the flexibility of hybrid working. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth, offering opportunities to lead complex projects while collaborating with talented teams in a dynamic environment focused on innovation and excellence in fire safety and building services.
Contact Details:
Grassroots Recruitment Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager in Reading
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Grassroots Recruitment Ltd, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Design Manager at Grassroots Recruitment Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Grassroots Recruitment Ltd
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
