We’re Hiring: Design Manager – Secure Facilities & High-Security Projects

Farnborough, Hampshire (Office / On-site)

️ Design & Build | Offices | Defence & Aerospace | Specialist Projects

I’m working with an amazing design and build company that delivers high-profile projects across offices, defence, aerospace, and other specialist sectors. They’re looking for a Design Manager to lead the design and technical coordination of secure facility design-and-build projects, including government, data centre, and high-security infrastructure environments.

This is a key role within a growing, high-performing team — offering real responsibility, variety, and the chance to work on projects where precision, trust, and innovation truly matter.

What You’ll Be Doing

Design Leadership & Coordination

• Lead the full design lifecycle — briefing, concept, developed design, technical design, construction support, and as-built handover
• Ensure all designs meet client requirements, regulatory standards, security classifications, and accreditation needs
• Produce, review, and manage technical drawings, reports, and design documentation
• Coordinate architectural, structural, MEP, ICT, and security systems into integrated design solutions
• Manage and review outputs from external draftspeople and specialist consultants

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the primary design contact for clients, end users, regulators, and security accreditors
• Collaborate closely with internal engineering, project management, and operations teams
• Lead design workshops, coordination meetings, and technical reviews
• Liaise with contractors, suppliers, and external consultants

Technical & Construction Support

• Produce and review detailed AutoCAD drawings (essential)
• Interpret or contribute to BIM models in Revit (highly desirable)
• Support tender documentation, scopes of work, and technical specifications
• Provide design oversight during construction, resolving RFIs and managing design changes
• Conduct site inspections, quality checks, and design audits
• Deliver complete as-built documentation at project close

What We’re Looking For

Essential

• Proven experience in design management or senior design coordination within construction, interiors, secure facilities, data centres, or similar technical sectors
• Strong AutoCAD capability with experience producing detailed technical drawings
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary design processes
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills
• Comfortable working with sensitive or classified information
• Ability to obtain UK Government security clearance

Desirable

• Revit / BIM experience
• Knowledge of government or critical national infrastructure security standards
• Experience managing external consultants and specialist designers
• Relevant technical or construction qualifications

About You

• Highly organised, proactive, and detail-driven
• Strong problem-solving skills and confident decision-making
• Comfortable juggling multiple projects and deadlines
• Professional and credible with senior stakeholders
• A genuine team player who enjoys a fun, collaborative, high-performing environment
• Growth-minded — personally and professionally

What’s In It For You

• Lead design on technically challenging, high-profile secure projects
• Work within a collaborative environment across offices, defence, aerospace, and specialist projects
• Opportunity for ongoing professional development in secure design and technical environments
• Excellent remuneration package and benefits

This is an office-based / on-site role due to the nature of the work.