Project Design Lead in Bristol

Project Design Lead in Bristol

Bristol Full-Time 50000 Β£ / year Home office (partial)
Murray McIntosh Associates Ltd

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and deliver innovative water projects from design to construction.
  • Company: Dynamic engineering firm focused on sustainable water solutions.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and professional development support.
  • Other info: Join a supportive team with clear pathways to chartership and career growth.
  • Why this job: Own projects and make a real difference in water services while advancing your career.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Engineering and experience in water or wastewater projects.

A strong opportunity for a Project Leader / Design Manager / Project Engineer to join a long-term AMP8 programme delivering water and wastewater infra and non-infra schemes across the South West. This role offers something different to a traditional Project Manager position - combining project management and hands-on design engineering, with full ownership from outline design through to construction and handover. With secured framework funding through to 2030 (and likely further extension), it offers both long-term stability and genuine career progression, including a clear pathway to chartership.

You will lead and own project delivery, ensuring technical, commercial and delivery objectives are aligned from day one.

Key responsibilities:
  • Lead the design and delivery of water and wastewater projects from outline through to commissioning and handover
  • Work as part of a 'project triangle' with a Site Manager and Quantity Surveyor to balance technical, commercial and constructability considerations
  • Coordinate multi-disciplinary teams (civil, mechanical, electrical, process and BIM)
  • Ensure delivery on programme, within budget and to required quality standards
  • Contribute to design within your discipline where required
  • Mentor junior engineers and support team development
  • Build strong relationships with client stakeholders and promote a 'one-team' approach
  • Maintain compliance with relevant frameworks, specifications and CDM 2015 requirements

You'll be supporting a major AMP8 investment programme, delivering non-infrastructure and treatment schemes across the south west and south coast. This is a varied portfolio of work focused on improving water and wastewater services, offering exposure to both treatment and non-infrastructure projects.

What we're looking for:

This position suits engineers looking to move into (or already operating within) a hybrid design + project leadership role.

Essential experience:
  • Degree in Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical or Process)
  • Incorporated Engineer (or working towards chartership)
  • Experience delivering water or wastewater projects
  • Outline and/or detailed design experience
  • Knowledge of CDM 2015 Designer / Principal Designer duties
  • Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
What's on offer:

Salary up to Β£55,000 + package

  • Pension matched between 4.5% - 7%
  • Annual bonus scheme
  • Professional membership fees paid
  • 33 days annual leave (flexible buy/sell options)
  • Private medical, life assurance and wellbeing options
  • Hybrid working (home / office / site)
  • 26 weeks' paid maternity/adoption leave
  • Enhanced paternity/partner leave
  • Additional leave for carers
Learning & development:
  • Structured programme to support chartership
  • Mentorship, training and real project ownership from day one
  • Exposure across full project lifecycle within a design-and-build environment

This is a strong opportunity to step into a role that offers full lifecycle project ownership, a genuine mix of technical delivery and project management, and long-term AMP framework security. If you're working in the water sector and want a more integrated role where you can lead projects and stay close to the engineering, this is worth exploring.

Apply now or get in touch for a confidential discussion: Leon Smith, Murray McIntosh.

Murray McIntosh Associates Ltd

Contact Details:

Murray McIntosh Associates Ltd Recruitment Team

We think you need these skills to ace Project Design Lead in Bristol

Project Management
Design Engineering
Water and Wastewater Project Delivery
Multi-disciplinary Team Coordination
Budget Management
Quality Standards Compliance
Mentoring Junior Engineers