At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative rail civil engineering projects and mentor early career professionals.
- Company: Join Mott MacDonald, a global leader in engineering and consultancy.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, and extensive health benefits.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive culture that values your voice and contributions.
- Why this job: Shape the future of transport infrastructure while making a real societal impact.
- Qualifications: Degree in Civil Engineering and extensive UK rail sector experience required.
The predicted salary is between 56250 - 68750 £ per year.
Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices. We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual.
About the business unit
We help conceive, drive, and implement transport solutions for cities, regions, and asset owners/operators around the globe. From preparing the business case and advising on related issues - such as revenue, procurement, and environmental legislation - to delivering the completed infrastructure and helping maintain it. Our planning, engineering, environmental and management skills cover the whole project cycle. We play a major role in developing and delivering the Global Transport Sector Strategy.
Overview of the role
We are seeking an experienced Principal Design Manager to join our Rail Stations and Civil Engineering team to lead the design, integration and delivery process of a range of projects from major rail improvement projects to smaller local community rail enhancement and renewal projects. As part of this key team, you will have the opportunity to shape and grow the local rail civil engineering team within our UK wide team, focusing on embedding technical excellence at the core of everything we do.
You will play a key role in supporting the delivery of high-profile station, structures and transport infrastructure schemes, while developing strong relationships with clients, local authorities and strategic partners and design and build contractor clients. As a senior technical leader, you will also be expected to mentor and develop early career professionals and other members of the engineering team, ensuring technical excellence remains at the heart of everything we do.
Key responsibilities and duties include:
- Lead and oversee the technical delivery of rail civil engineering projects across the UK with a focus on providing integrated design solutions across multi-discipline designs.
- Proactively manage the input from multiple rail design discipline engineers, specialists in their field from across our business.
- Prepare, review and deliver high-quality engineering solutions that are safe, practical, sustainable and deliver optimal Client outcomes.
- Be a focal point for our clients for the technical delivery of our projects.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, including clients and our rail discipline leads for engineering support.
- Collaborate with business development teams to identify and pursue new project opportunities.
- Support project managers in achieving programme, budget and quality objectives.
- Identify and mitigate project risks, implementing effective solutions to address challenges and ensuring right-first time integrated delivery.
- Mentor, coach and develop Early Career Professionals (ECPs) and other team members with an approach centred on technical engineering detail.
- Promote technical excellence and knowledge sharing throughout the rail civil engineering team.
Candidate specification
We are seeking a highly respected rail civil engineer with deep technical expertise, particularly in railway civils and structures, who can provide leadership both internally and externally. You will be comfortable operating across a range of project environments and clients, to deliver technical excellence on complex projects. This role is particularly suited to an individual who is passionate about developing people, delivering technically excellent rail civil engineering solutions, and building strong client relationships.
Essential:
- Degree qualified in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
- Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Incorporated Engineer (IEng) with ICE or equivalent professional institution.
- Extensive experience within the UK rail sector, particularly in delivery of multi-disciplinary rail engineering projects with demonstrable understanding of associated assurance, governance and regulatory requirements.
- General all round demonstrable experience of delivery of civil engineering aspects within a multi-disciplinary railway project environment.
- Proven experience leading technical delivery on complex rail infrastructure projects – specifically in a detailed design and design and build environment.
- Strong communication, leadership and influencing skills.
- Experience mentoring engineers and supporting the development of technical teams.
Desirable:
- Experience acting as a Contractor’s Responsible Engineer or Contractor’s Engineering Manager (or similar under other engineering management governance structures).
- Willingness and ability to travel across the UK and beyond to support clients and project delivery.
- Demonstrable technical understanding of railway structures, stations, bridges, associated civil engineering assets and rail systems.
- Site, construction and commissioning experience within a rail environment.
- Experience working on heritage, listed or operational railway structures.
- Knowledge of station development, Accessibility for All (AfA) programmes and rail enhancement projects.
- Experience supporting strategic transport and regeneration programmes.
Agile working
At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.
Equality, diversity, and inclusion
We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.
Accessibility
We want you to feel supported and able to perform at your best throughout our recruitment process. If there is anything we can do to make applying or interviewing with us more accessible, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we will be happy to discuss how we can help.
We offer some fantastic benefits including:
- Financial wellbeing: We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
- Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
- Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
- Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
- As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.
Employee Ownership
Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success. Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
Health and wellbeing
Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues. Health cash plan to support you with everyday health costs and treatments. Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues. A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
Lifestyle
A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
Learning and development
Primary annual professional institution subscription. A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.
Principal Design Manager in York employer: Mott MacDonald
Mott MacDonald is an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, offering employees the chance to engage in meaningful projects across multiple countries. With a strong focus on professional development, you will have access to growth opportunities while working in a hybrid environment that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Join us to be part of a team that values innovation and supports your career journey in a dynamic global setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Design Manager in York
✨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 Principal Design Manager role you’re after at Mott MacDonald.
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✨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 Mott MacDonald.
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When you spot a role like Principal Design Manager at Mott MacDonald, 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 Principal Design Manager in York
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Principal 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 Mott MacDonald 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 Mott MacDonald 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 Mott MacDonald
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Mott MacDonald, 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 Mott MacDonald 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.
