Engineering Manager (M&E) in Exeter

The Engineering Manager will lead and oversee the engineering function across water and wastewater infrastructure projects, ensuring that technical solutions are safe, innovative, sustainable, and fully aligned with client and regulatory standards. The role requires strong leadership in managing multidisciplinary engineering teams and providing assurance across all stages of project delivery – from feasibility and outline design through detailed design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and handover.

This position is suited to a senior engineering professional with extensive experience in multi-disciplinary project delivery within the water sector, capable of managing multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced design-and-construct (D&C) environment. The role requires advanced knowledge of civil, mechanical, electrical, ICA, and process engineering interfaces, as well as commissioning, and experience of working under standard forms of contract, particularly NEC4 (Options A–F), NEC3, and IChemE forms, ensuring that engineering outputs are delivered in accordance with contractual, commercial, and quality requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Engineering Leadership & Governance
  • Provide overall leadership and direction to engineering teams across multiple water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
  • Set technical standards, governance processes, and assurance frameworks to ensure quality, safety, and compliance.
  • Act as the senior approver for designs, specifications, and technical deliverables.
  • Drive innovation, value engineering, and digital engineering (BIM) adoption.
• Project Oversight & Delivery
  • Oversee engineering input across feasibility, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and handover.
  • Manage multi-disciplinary teams including civil, mechanical, electrical, ICA, process, and commissioning engineers.
  • Ensure commissioning strategies, testing procedures, and handover documentation are aligned with client and statutory requirements.
  • Ensure projects are delivered in line with client specifications, statutory regulations, water industry standards, and company procedures.
  • Manage technical risk, ensuring engineering deliverables support contractual and commercial obligations under NEC4 and other forms.
  • Support project managers in programme planning, risk registers, and early warning/change management processes.
• Contracts & Commercial Awareness
  • Ensure engineering activities comply with obligations under NEC4 (all Options), NEC3, IChemE, and other standard contract forms.
  • Provide technical input to commercial teams during contract reviews, procurement, and subcontractor engagement.
  • Support management of early warnings, compensation events, and technical variations.
  • Drive cost efficiency through engineering decision-making while maintaining quality and compliance.
• Stakeholder & Client Engagement
  • Act as the senior engineering representative in client and regulator meetings.
  • Build and maintain strong working relationships with water companies, statutory bodies, supply chain partners, and industry stakeholders.
  • Provide strategic input to client frameworks and AMP investment programmes.
• Team Management & Development
  • Lead, mentor, and develop Senior Engineers, Project Engineers, Commissioning Engineers, and Authorising Engineers, as well as Graduates.
  • Establish clear objectives, KPIs, and career development pathways for engineering staff.
  • Provide governance and oversight of Authorising Persons to ensure compliance with water company and regulatory requirements.
  • Foster a collaborative culture across civil, mechanical, electrical, process, and commissioning disciplines.
• Health, Safety, Environment & Quality
  • Ensure engineering designs embed safety by design and whole-life asset considerations.
  • Promote sustainability, carbon reduction, and circular economy principles.
  • Drive continual improvement in engineering quality assurance and commissioning procedures.

Essential

• Degree-qualified in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Process Engineering (or equivalent).
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) with ICE, IMechE, IET, or CIWEM.
• 12+ years’ experience in water/wastewater infrastructure delivery, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Demonstrable experience managing engineering and commissioning teams within D&C frameworks.
• Strong knowledge of NEC4 (Options A–F), NEC3, IChemE contracts, and commercial/contractual processes.
• Experience managing technical assurance across multidisciplinary projects.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and client-facing skills.

Desirable

• Digital engineering (BIM Level 2+) experience.
• Knowledge of TOTEX and whole-life asset performance.
• AMP programme delivery experience for UK water companies.
• Experience in major framework or alliancing delivery models.
• Authorising Engineering (AE) status in relation to ECOPS (or equivalent COP’s) highly.

Reporting Structure

• Reports to: Framework Director / Operations Manager
• Direct reports: Senior Project Engineers, Project Engineers, Commissioning Engineers, Graduate Engineers, Technicians

What we can offer you

• Competitive salary (to be discussed on application)
• Car allowance
• 26 days annual leave (with the opportunity to buy or sell up to 3 days holiday)
• Private medical insurance for yourself (with the option to buy family cover)
• Life Assurance
• Defined contribution pension scheme matched up to 8%
• 2 days volunteering opportunities
• Flexible and Agile working (dependent on your role)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Professional membership fees
• Flexible Benefits scheme which includes the opportunity to purchase benefits such as: Critical illness insurance (with option to purchase for your partner), Dental Insurance, Travel insurance, Cycle to work scheme, Retail vouchers/payroll giving/activity pass for top leisure attractions.

Who we are

Tilbury Douglas is a leading UK building, infrastructure, engineering and fit-out company. We deliver vital projects across a range of sectors including health, education, highways, justice, defence, aviation, water and environment. It is our people who make Tilbury Douglas a success. We believe our inclusive culture encourages new ways of thinking, enabling us to innovate whilst remaining resilient. We value and celebrate all individual differences and look forward to receiving your application. We have now achieved our IiD status.

Please note we do not have a sponsorship licence. Please note that this role is subject to Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance which includes identity, employment history, and criminal record checks. We look forward to receiving your application!