Engineering Design Lead

Midlands (Derby / Coventry region)

Hybrid working | Multi-site leadership role

Permanent

Morson is partnering with a leading UK water utility delivering a major capital investment programme across the Midlands to recruit an Engineering Design Lead.

This is a senior leadership opportunity responsible for overseeing a large multidisciplinary design function supporting a significant infrastructure investment portfolio. The successful candidate will lead the development of feasibility, outline and detailed engineering solutions that enable the successful delivery of complex capital projects while driving innovation, sustainability and whole-life value.

The Role

As Engineering Design Lead, you will be responsible for leading and developing a large internal design capability while managing relationships with external design partners across a substantial capital delivery programme.

You will ensure engineering solutions are developed to the highest standards, delivering optimised TotEx outcomes, programme certainty and long-term operational value.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a multi-disciplinary design organisation of approximately 70 engineers and specialists, with 6–9 direct reports.
• Oversee the development of feasibility, outline and detailed designs across a portfolio of capital projects totalling approximately £100m per year.
• Manage the balance of in-house capability and external design consultancies, ensuring the right expertise and capacity is deployed across programmes.
• Work collaboratively with delivery, commercial, operational and engineering teams to ensure designs meet quality, programme and cost objectives.
• Ensure all solutions deliver optimised whole-life cost, sustainability benefits and value for customers.
• Lead design governance, risk identification and mitigation throughout the engineering lifecycle.
• Ensure compliance with CDM regulations, including the discharge of Principal Designer responsibilities where required.
• Develop and maintain a forward resource and capability plan to ensure essential skills are in place to support future programmes.
• Drive a culture of innovation, safety-by-design and continuous improvement across the design function and supply chain.
• Build strong relationships with consultancies, contractors and industry partners to identify opportunities for improved design solutions and delivery efficiency.

About You

We are seeking a strong engineering leader with experience managing complex design programmes and multidisciplinary teams within major infrastructure environments.

Essential Experience

• Proven leadership of multi-disciplinary engineering or design teams
• Experience delivering complex capital infrastructure projects or programmes
• Experience within the water or wastewater sector, ideally within water or wastewater treatment.
• Strong experience in risk management within engineering design
• Experience managing multiple stakeholders and supply chain partners
• Track record of developing high-performing technical teams
• Degree in a relevant engineering discipline
• Full UK driving licence

Desirable

• Chartered Engineer status or working towards professional accreditation

Leadership Profile

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• A collaborative and engaging leadership style
• The ability to balance strategic planning with operational delivery
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• A mindset focused on innovation, efficiency and sustainability
• The ability to influence and align multiple internal and external partners

If this opportunity aligns with your experience and ambitions, we'd welcome your application. xbpsjku Apply now or contact Morson for a confidential discussion.