Project Design Engineer in Manchester

Internal applicants are welcome. Mott MacDonald Bentley is a fully integrated design and build business combining the design expertise of Mott MacDonald with the contracting experience of JN Bentley to deliver award‑winning projects. We have been named a partner on a new AMP8 framework with United Utilities, which will extend our relationship for at least the next five years. The partnership is set to be responsible for over £3 bn of major infrastructure in the North West of England. Investment includes upgrades to wastewater treatment works and reducing storm overflows through the delivery of the largest spill‑reduction programme in the UK, protecting more than 500 km of rivers and bathing waters.

The Project Leader role combines elements of both traditional Project Management and Design Engineering, managing projects through the outline and detailed design lifecycle, supported by our multi‑disciplinary teams. Our unique work environment means you can thrive personally and professionally, accelerating your journey to chartership or developing your cross‑discipline expertise.

Do you want to:

• Be part of a unique and dynamic Design‑and‑Build environment?
• Project manage the design of water and wastewater projects?
• Fast track your Chartership and attain a clear route for career progression?
• Be a member of a multi‑disciplinary project team, supporting both your and the team's personal and professional development?
• Have the flexibility of working from home, office and site?
• Have the opportunity to see your designs brought to life?

What does a Project Leader do day to day?

• Work as part of a “project triangle” alongside a Site Manager and Quantity Surveyor to ensure that technical, constructability and commercial aspects of project delivery are considered throughout.
• Lead the design of treatment or infrastructure projects from the initial outline to detailed design, through construction, commissioning, and handover.
• Coordinate the project team including civil, electrical, mechanical and process designers, BIM modelers and technical specialists and ensure designs are completed on programme, within budget, and to the quality defined by each framework and industry specifications.
• Undertake design in own discipline and mentor less experienced colleagues where appropriate.
• Build positive relationships with the clients’ project, operational and technical assurance teams and promote a "one‑team" approach.

What you’ll need:

• Accredited Degree in Engineering – Civil, Mechanical, Process and Electrical.
• Chartered or Incorporated Member of Engineering Institution or demonstrable progress made towards these goals.
• Outline and detailed design experience of water or wastewater projects.
• Knowledge of the Designer or Principal Designer duties under CDM 2015.

What’s in it for you:

• Financial wellbeing: MMB match employee pension contributions between 4.5 % and 7 %. As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues, including our annual bonus schemes. Payment of annual professional institution subscription costs.
• Health and wellbeing: A minimum of 33 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays, with the ability to buy, sell or carry over annual leave through our flexible benefits programme. Access to Life Assurance / Private Medical Insurance / Critical Illness Insurance and Health Screening options. We are happy to talk openly about flexible working and how we can support your responsibilities beyond the workplace. Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• Enhanced family and carers leave: Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave plus the option for shared parental leave. Up to 2 paid additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities.
• Learning and development: MMB is committed to empowering our people to grow professionally and thrive in their careers. We offer structured development schemes that support your journey toward professional chartership. From day one, employees are fast‑tracked towards chartership reviews and benefit from mentorship, hands‑on experience, and tailored training opportunities.

Mott MacDonald Bentley are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in the future.

Other Information: This is a Mott MacDonald Bentley role, employed by Mott MacDonald. Mott MacDonald Bentley is a joint venture business, established in 1999 between civil engineering contractor JN Bentley and global management consultancy, Mott MacDonald. This role is employed by Mott MacDonald but will involve working across the joint venture business, both with Mott MacDonald and JN Bentley colleagues.

About Mott MacDonald: Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management and development consultancy. Our purpose is to improve society by considering social outcomes in everything we do, relentlessly focusing on excellence and digital innovation, transforming our clients’ businesses, our communities and employee opportunities. A fundamental part of this is respecting each person’s differences and striving to meet their needs. Our values: progress, respect, integrity, drive, excellence. We believe that because we care about what we do, we do things better. We know that our people are our most valuable asset, so we are dedicated to investing in them, through our comprehensive training and development schemes, exposure to the wider design and build business and endless opportunities. We’re committed to creating a workplace where our people are safe, have a voice, can reach their full potential, and everyone shares in the rewards. You’ll have the opportunity to contribute to projects that benefit our communities – from helping to secure water supplies for future generations to protecting homes and businesses from flood risk – our projects make a real difference.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Mott MacDonald Bentley welcomes applications from all sectors of the community. We are dedicated to building a diverse workplace where everyone feels included, has the opportunity to thrive, and is treated with respect. Even if you don’t meet every requirement for this role but are excited about the opportunity, we encourage you to apply. We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment practices are barrier‑free and as inclusive as possible. This includes making adjustments during the job application process and throughout your future career with us.

Agile working: We are committed to providing a flexible and agile working environment that supports both our employees and the needs of the business.

Location(s): Manchester, GB Contract Type: Permanent | Work Pattern: Full Time | Market: Water | Discipline: Civil | Job Ref: 7980 | Recruiter Contact: Emily.naylor@jnbentley.co.uk