At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design activities for innovative rail projects and collaborate with diverse teams.
- Company: Join Octavius, a top civil engineering firm focused on sustainable transport solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive package, hybrid working, and 25 days annual leave plus your birthday off.
- Other info: We value diversity and inclusion, creating a thriving environment for all.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on railway performance while driving innovation and sustainability.
- Qualifications: Experience in rail design and development, with a relevant degree or qualification.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 € per year.
We're recruiting a Development Manager (Design Manager) to join Octavius, a leading civil engineering organisation delivering safe, sustainable and efficient transport solutions across the UK. Through long‑term rail frameworks and our Southern Renewals Enterprise, we offer the opportunity to shape projects from the earliest stages, work collaboratively with design partners, and make a real impact on the performance of the railway.
At Octavius, we value quality, integrity and openness, empower our people to lead, and create an environment where expertise, innovation and continuous improvement are encouraged.
Responsibilities
- Leading the development of pre-construction and design activities for rail renewal projects.
- Coordinating surveys, site investigations and design information to inform cost and programme certainty.
- Managing assurance, governance and compliance requirements throughout the development stage.
- Driving collaboration across multidisciplinary teams to develop high-quality, buildable solutions.
- Supporting possession planning, estimating, risk management and option selection.
- Taking ownership of financial performance, change control and risk/opportunity management within your schemes.
- Championing safety, sustainability, innovation and continuous improvement within the development process.
Benefits
We offer a competitive rewards package, including a Company Car scheme, Private Healthcare, Pension, Life Assurance cover, 25 days Annual Leave (and a day off for your birthday). You'll also have access to Hybrid working where possible, an enhanced Paternity & Maternity package and the opportunity to develop yourself personally and professionally.
About You
You're a confident and collaborative design or development professional with experience working in the rail environment, comfortable operating in complex, fast-paced programmes.
Your Skills
- Managing multidisciplinary design and development processes from concept through to construction readiness.
- Working within Network Rail standards, assurance processes and governance frameworks.
- Engaging effectively with clients, stakeholders, designers and delivery teams.
- Balancing technical, commercial and programme considerations to deliver value-led outcomes.
- Leading and contributing to risk workshops, design reviews and assurance meetings.
- Driving a strong safety culture and embedding environmental and sustainability considerations into decision-making.
You naturally build trust and credibility, lead by example, and are motivated by delivering quality infrastructure safely and efficiently.
Your Experience & Qualifications
- Proven experience delivering projects across the full project lifecycle, from design development through to on-site delivery.
- Strong knowledge of Network Rail processes, standards and assurance requirements.
- Broad engineering understanding, with experience in disciplines such as civils, M&E, geotechnical or core rail systems (P‑Way, Signalling, Telecoms, E&P).
- A good working knowledge of NEC3 contracts and contract administration.
- Experience managing cost, programme, change control and subcontractor inputs during development.
Qualifications (or Equivalent Experience)
- Degree, diploma or vocational qualification in Construction, Civil Engineering or a related discipline (essential).
- SMSTS or equivalent CDM 2015 training (desirable).
- Chartered or working towards chartership (ICE, APM or similar) (desirable).
- PTS, Temporary Works Coordination or similar rail competencies (desirable).
Above all, you'll live our values of Quality, Integrity, Openness, Caring and Progressiveness, bringing energy, leadership and a continuous-improvement mindset to everything you do.
Inclusion and diversity are important to us, we are an equal opportunities employer and value difference. We want and will continue to build an inclusive environment where our people thrive. We firmly believe constantly striving to build a truly diverse workforce is what makes us a strong business and will enable us to continue to solve important problems and deliver unrivalled value to both our customers and clients. If you need any specialist support throughout your application, we will work with you where we can to support your journey with us.
E&P Design Manager employer: Octavius Infrastructure
At Octavius, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the civil engineering sector. With a competitive rewards package, including private healthcare and hybrid working options, we empower our employees to grow both personally and professionally while making a tangible impact on sustainable transport solutions across the UK. Join us to be part of a diverse team that values quality, integrity, and continuous improvement, ensuring that every project contributes to a safer and more efficient railway system.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land E&P Design Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the rail industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. The more connections you make, the better your chances of landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your experience in managing multidisciplinary design processes and your knowledge of Network Rail standards. Make sure they know you’re the go-to person for delivering quality infrastructure.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your project lifecycle knowledge. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled challenges in past projects, especially around risk management and compliance. We want to see that you can think on your feet and lead teams effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team at Octavius. Let’s make great things happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace E&P Design Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your experience in managing multidisciplinary design processes and working within Network Rail standards to show us you're the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about the role and how your values align with ours. Share specific examples of your past projects that demonstrate your ability to lead and innovate in a rail environment.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; highlight your achievements! Use metrics or specific outcomes to illustrate how you’ve contributed to project success, especially in terms of safety, sustainability, and quality.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Octavius Infrastructure
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Network Rail standards and assurance processes. Familiarise yourself with the specific projects Octavius has worked on, especially in rail renewal, so you can speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Since this role involves driving collaboration across multidisciplinary teams, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully worked with diverse groups in the past. Highlight your ability to engage effectively with clients, stakeholders, and delivery teams.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities
Prepare to discuss how you've managed risk and change control in previous projects. Use specific examples to illustrate your approach to balancing technical, commercial, and programme considerations to deliver value-led outcomes.
✨Emphasise Safety and Sustainability
Octavius values safety and sustainability highly, so be sure to convey your commitment to these principles. Share any relevant experiences where you've championed safety culture or embedded environmental considerations into your decision-making process.
