Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Design Manager to lead and coordinate civil engineering design activities on a major nuclear and heavy civils project based in Whitehaven. The role sits at the heart of project delivery, ensuring that all permanent and temporary works designs are developed, integrated, assured, and delivered in line with nuclear regulatory requirements, framework obligations, and programme objectives.
The successful candidate must have proven experience working within civils design frameworks, managing multi‑disciplinary design teams and interfacing effectively with construction, commercial, planning, and client stakeholders in a highly regulated nuclear environment.
Key Responsibilities
Design Management & Governance
- Lead the management of all civils and structural design activities from concept through detailed design to construction support and handover
- Implement and maintain the project Design Management Plan in line with nuclear standards, client requirements, and framework procedures
- Ensure design deliverables comply with relevant standards, codes, specifications, and nuclear regulatory expectations
- Manage design change control, ensuring impacts on safety, cost, programme, and constructability are fully assessed and controlled
Civils Design Framework Delivery
- Operate effectively within an established civils design framework, ensuring compliance with framework governance, approvals, and reporting requirements
- Coordinate multiple design consultants and specialist designers under framework agreements
- Ensure framework KPIs, deliverables, and assurance processes are met
- Support early contractor involvement (ECI) and design optimisation activities
Multi‑Disciplinary Coordination
- Chair and lead design team meetings, technical reviews, and design risk workshops
- Coordinate interfaces between civils, structural, geotechnical, temporary works, utilities, and construction teams
- Ensure design is fully integrated with construction methodology, temporary works, and logistics strategies
Nuclear Safety, Assurance & CDM
- Ensure design supports nuclear safety cases and hazard mitigation requirements
- Act as, or support, the Principal Designer function under CDM Regulations where required
- Ensure health, safety, and buildability risks are eliminated or reduced through design
- Support internal and external audits, assurance reviews, and regulatory scrutiny
Stakeholder & Client Interface
- Act as the primary design interface with the client, regulators, and key stakeholders
- Provide clear, professional advice on design status, risks, and opportunities
- Support programme, commercial, and risk teams with design‑related inputs
Skills & Experience
Essential
- Proven experience as a Design Manager on major civils or infrastructure projects
- Demonstrable experience working within civils design frameworks
- Experience delivering design in highly regulated environments (nuclear, energy, defence, or similar)
- Strong knowledge of civils and structural engineering design processes
- Experience managing multi‑disciplinary design teams and external consultants
- Strong understanding of CDM Regulations and design risk management
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
- Eligible for UK security clearance
Desirable
- Previous experience on nuclear‑licensed sites or nuclear infrastructure programmes
- Experience with NEC and/or Design & Build contracts
- Temporary Works design coordination experience
- Familiarity with nuclear design assurance and safety case processes
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering or a related discipline
- Chartered Engineer or working towards chartership (ICE or equivalent)
Desirable
- SMSTS
- Temporary Works Coordinator / Supervisor training
- APM or equivalent project management qualification
Personal Attributes
- Technically strong, organised, and detail‑focused
- Confident leading design discussions at senior level
- Proactive, solutions‑focused, and able to challenge constructively
- Comfortable working in complex, safety‑critical project environments