At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead multidisciplinary design teams for major water and wastewater projects.
- Company: Join Jacobs, a leader in innovative infrastructure solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible work, competitive salary, health coverage, and professional development.
- Other info: Be part of a growing team with opportunities for career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on critical infrastructure and shape the future of water management.
- Qualifications: Experience in large-scale infrastructure design and project management.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.
Your impact
You will help shape how some of the UK’s most important water and wastewater programmes move from strategy into safe, buildable and effective infrastructure. Your leadership will bring engineering disciplines, construction teams and client stakeholders together around clear design decisions. You will help identify risk earlier, improve buildability and ensure commissioning, operational performance and whole‑life value are considered throughout the design process.
You will play a key role in building trusted client relationships, providing strategic design leadership and acting as a senior point of contact to help shape project outcomes and identify future opportunities. This is a role where judgement matters. You will be trusted to challenge assumptions, manage competing priorities and give clients confidence that complex programmes are technically sound and commercially deliverable.
You will also influence how design is managed across the wider practice. By improving approaches to standardisation, automation, assurance and multidisciplinary delivery, you will help teams work more effectively and create stronger outcomes for clients and communities.
About the opportunity
The UK water sector is entering a major period of investment, creating the opportunity to improve the resilience, capacity and environmental performance of critical infrastructure. As a Senior Design Manager, you will lead multidisciplinary detailed design teams across major water and wastewater programmes. You will bring civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, process and construction teams together to produce coordinated, buildable designs that are ready for successful delivery and commissioning.
You will build high‑performing teams, mentor staff, create opportunities for others and develop our business. A key part of this role will be to take ownership of design scope, programme, technical interfaces, assurance and change, working closely with project managers, construction teams and senior client stakeholders to resolve issues and maintain momentum. You will also challenge designs to improve value, standardisation and whole‑life performance, while ensuring CDM requirements, technical standards and NEC contract processes are properly addressed.
This is a great opportunity to join a growing water practice and play a visible role on some of the UK’s most ambitious infrastructure programmes. Success will mean improving design certainty, reducing delivery risk and helping talented multidisciplinary teams produce engineering solutions that work in design, construction and operation.
Requirements
- Technical leadership in the design and project management of large‑scale infrastructure programmes.
- Expertise in multidisciplinary engineering and construction integration.
- NEC3/4 contract and change control experience.
- Knowledge of CDM regulations and processes.
- Passion and enthusiasm for problem solving, creating and delivering innovation.
- Track record in developing and fostering a culture focused on success.
- Ability to operate autonomously across a wide range of complex projects with authority.
- Great communicator able to explain complex technical issues to multiple stakeholders with differing backgrounds and levels of expertise.
Benefits
- Competitive salary that reflects your skills and experience.
- Flexible work arrangements: hybrid, part‑time or flexible hours and locations.
- Robust pension contributions up to 10%.
- Comprehensive health coverage including digital GP service and options for partner/family.
- Family planning support and fertility healthcare services.
- Enhanced parental leave pay and parental programs.
- Life assurance at 4× your salary.
- Well‑being hub with access to apps and resources.
- Professional development with coverage of professional membership fees and CPD opportunities.
- Community engagement and charitable donations program.
As a disability‑confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates seeking flexible working or who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.
Senior Design Manager employer: Jacobs
At Jacobs, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through continuous professional development opportunities and mentorship programmes, ensuring that our team members thrive in their careers while making a meaningful impact on global water quality initiatives. Located in a vibrant environment, we provide a unique chance to engage with high-profile projects that not only challenge the status quo but also contribute to sustainable solutions for communities and ecosystems.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Design Manager
✨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 Senior Design Manager role you’re after at Jacobs.
✨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 Jacobs 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 Jacobs.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Senior Design Manager at Jacobs, 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 Senior Design Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Senior Design Manager, 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 Jacobs 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 Jacobs 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 Jacobs
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Jacobs, 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 Jacobs 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.
