Engineer the Quantum RevolutionYour expertise can help us shape the future of quantum computing at Oxford Ionics.

View Open Roles

Lead Engineer - Design - Water

Manchester
1 month ago
Applications closed

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Founding Mechatronics engineer

Senior Engineer

Founding Computer Vision Engineer

production shift manager

UAV Avionics Technician DEFENCE · Tekever West Wales (UK) ·

UAV Avionics Technician

Design Lead

Locations: United Kingdom / Manchester, United Kingdom

Contract type: Permanent

Work pattern: Full Time

Market: Water

Discipline: Water

Our client is a fully integrated design and build business with an annual turnover surpassing £500 million, our client cements its position as a leader within the industry. The sustained, robust business performance creates an ideal environment for career growth.

They have been named a partner on a new AMP8 framework with United Utilities, which will extend our relationship for at least the next five years. The partnership is set to be responsible for over £3bn of major infrastructure in the North West of England. Investment includes upgrades to wastewater treatment works and reducing storm overflows through the delivery of the largest spill reduction programme in the UK, protecting more than 500km of rivers and bathing waters.

As a Design Lead you will contribute to projects that significantly impact our environment and communities. Working primarily in the UK water market, our client provides the feasibility, design, construction, and commissioning services needed to keep water flowing and wastewater treated. You'll work on projects that make a real difference to our environment and our communities by enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of water and wastewater treatment systems.

The role of a Design Lead includes:

  • Leading the delivery of multi-disciplinary design for your projects / programme
  • Developing and leading your team comprised of electrical, mechanical, civil, and process designers
  • Leading the development of affordable and low carbon solutions, including managing opportunities and risks.
  • Delivering detailed designs to meet construction needs and client acceptance including managing cost and programme.
  • Challenging the engineering solutions and delivery effectiveness of your team to ensure we always offer the client the best value solutions.
  • Providing direction and oversight of project controls and ensuring your team understands and complies with quality, programme, and cost requirements.
  • Maintaining positive client relationships at project level

    What you'll need:
  • Degree in Engineering
  • Chartered or incorporated member of professional institution e.g ICE, IMechE, etc, or equivalent experience
  • Outline and detailed design experience of water or wastewater projects and knowledge of the Designer or Principal Designer duties under CDM 2015.
  • Strong technical knowledge in own discipline and an appreciation of other disciplines
  • Able to travel to sites across your operational region
  • A proactive and pragmatic approach

    What's in it for you:
    At our client you will be offered a competitive salary which is commensurate based on your experience. Our core benefits include:

  • Pension matched by employer up to 7%
  • Option to purchase, sell and carry over annual leave
  • Life assurance / Private Medical Insurance / Critical Illness Insurance and Health Screening options
  • 26 weeks maternity leave, enhanced paternity and adoption leave/ Shared parental leave
  • Payment of annual professional institution subscription costs
  • Gym Membership discounts UK wide
  • Cycle to work scheme, interest free season ticket loans and discounted dining cards also available

    Our client is not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Seasonal Hiring Peaks for UAV Jobs: The Best Months to Apply & Why

The UK's UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) sector has established itself as one of Europe's most dynamic and strategically important technology markets, with roles spanning from junior drone operators to principal UAV engineers and heads of autonomous systems development. With UAV positions commanding salaries from £28,000 for graduate drone pilots to £85,000+ for senior UAV systems engineers, understanding when organisations actively recruit can dramatically accelerate your career progression in this revolutionary and rapidly expanding field. Unlike traditional aviation roles, UAV hiring follows distinct patterns influenced by seasonal operations, government regulatory frameworks, and autonomous systems development timelines. The sector's unique combination of aeronautical engineering, autonomous control systems, and data analytics creates predictable hiring windows that strategic professionals can leverage to advance their careers in building tomorrow's unmanned aviation and autonomous aerial systems. This comprehensive guide explores the optimal timing for UAV job applications in the UK, examining how national drone strategies, seasonal operational cycles, and UAV technology initiatives influence recruitment patterns, and why strategic timing can determine whether you join a pioneering autonomous systems team or miss the opportunity to develop the next generation of unmanned aircraft and aerial intelligence systems.

Pre-Employment Checks for UAV Jobs: DBS, References & Right-to-Work and more Explained

The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) industry represents one of the most rapidly expanding and strategically significant sectors in modern aerospace, with UAV professionals playing crucial roles in developing autonomous flight systems, advancing drone technologies, and transforming applications from defence and surveillance to commercial delivery and agricultural monitoring. As UAVs transition from military applications to widespread civilian and commercial use, pre-employment screening processes have become increasingly sophisticated and regulatory-focused. UAV careers span diverse environments from defence contractors and aerospace manufacturers to commercial drone service providers, agricultural technology companies, and emerging urban air mobility developers. Each sector brings unique screening requirements reflecting the safety-critical nature of aviation systems, the regulatory complexity of airspace management, and the critical importance of maintaining both operational safety and security standards. Understanding UAV pre-employment screening helps professionals navigate career opportunities effectively whilst enabling employers to identify candidates capable of contributing to UAV innovation whilst maintaining appropriate aviation safety standards, regulatory compliance, and security awareness. The screening processes examine not only technical UAV competencies but also aviation safety knowledge, regulatory understanding, and ability to work effectively within the highly regulated aerospace ecosystem. This comprehensive guide examines the full spectrum of pre-employment screening practices across UAV careers, from basic right-to-work verification through enhanced security clearance processes, technical competency assessment, and industry-specific requirements. Whether pursuing opportunities in UAV design, autonomous systems development, remote piloting, or UAV operations management, understanding these screening processes enables UAV professionals to prepare effectively and advance their careers successfully. The UAV sector's unique combination of aerospace engineering, autonomous systems technology, and operational safety creates screening requirements that reflect both the technical demands of unmanned flight systems and the regulatory considerations of aviation safety and airspace integration. These processes ultimately support the continued advancement of UAVs by ensuring high professional standards and technical competence necessary for safe UAV operations and responsible drone technology development.

Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Launch Your Career in UAVs: The UK's Aerial Revolution

The United Kingdom stands at the forefront of an unmanned aerial vehicle revolution that's fundamentally transforming how we approach logistics, surveillance, agriculture, infrastructure inspection, and emergency response. From the advanced drone technologies developed by British companies powering delivery networks across Europe to the autonomous flight systems enabling Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations, the UK's leadership in UAV design, manufacturing, and operations has created an unprecedented demand for skilled drone professionals that dramatically exceeds the current talent supply. If you've been seeking a career at the cutting edge of aviation technology or looking to position yourself in one of the most rapidly expanding and strategically important sectors of the modern economy, unmanned aerial vehicles represent an extraordinary opportunity. The convergence of autonomous flight system advancement, commercial drone adoption acceleration, regulatory framework maturation, and artificial intelligence integration has created perfect conditions for UAV career success.