Engineering Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Engineering Design Manager

Company: Ground Control

Location: Manchester, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Engineering Design & Management

Date Posted: 2026-09-11

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (Implied 5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (Implied)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and coordinate the end-to-end design process for complex landscape construction, public realm, and civil engineering projects.

• Act as the primary technical authority for design decisions, ensuring all solutions are safe, compliant, buildable, and commercially viable.

• Drive technical excellence by developing and implementing improved design standards, specifications, and best-practice processes.

• Manage and mentor internal design teams and external consultants to foster a collaborative and efficient design environment.

• Contribute to pre-construction activities by providing critical technical expertise, value engineering, and buildability advice to estimating and bid teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role of Engineering Design Manager at Ground Control is positioned as a high-impact, autonomous position with significant influence over project delivery and technical standards. The emphasis on "owning the design function" and acting as a "technical authority" suggests a senior role requiring strong leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities, directly contributing to the company's growth and project success.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage the design process across multiple live projects, ensuring timely delivery of accurate and constructible information.

• Facilitate seamless collaboration between internal design teams, external consultants, subcontractors, and client representatives to maintain project momentum.

• Conduct thorough reviews of designs for buildability, regulatory compliance, and practical execution, proactively identifying and resolving potential issues before they impact schedule or budget.

• Provide expert guidance and resolve intricate engineering challenges encountered throughout the project lifecycle.

• Develop, review, and approve engineering designs, calculations, and technical specifications, with a focus on drainage, SuDS, foundations, retaining structures, and external works.

• Ensure rigorous management of Temporary Works Design in compliance with BS 5975 standards, including appropriate design checks and control measures.

• Provide essential technical input to estimating and bid teams, including value engineering proposals and buildability assessments during the pre-construction phase.

• Manage the performance, deliverables, and costs of external design consultants across a portfolio of projects.

• Champion technical excellence by developing and embedding robust company-wide standards, specifications, templates, and best-practice design processes.

• Ensure strict adherence to CDM Regulations 2015, integrating safety, buildability, and long-term maintenance considerations into all design phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities outline a comprehensive design management role that extends beyond technical design to encompass project coordination, risk management, consultant oversight, and process improvement. The specific mention of drainage, SuDS, foundations, and retaining structures indicates a focus on infrastructure and site development aspects within the landscape and civil engineering domains.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Degree qualified (BEng or MEng) in Civil Engineering or Structural Engineering.

• Chartered Civil Engineer (CEng MICE) or actively working towards chartership with substantial relevant experience. Experience:

• Proven experience in design coordination and technical assurance for landscape construction, public realm, and civil engineering projects.

• Demonstrated experience in producing and checking engineering calculations, drawings, and technical details.

• Experience managing external design consultants and overseeing their performance and deliverables. Required Skills:

• Strong proficiency in AutoCAD and Civil 3D for design and drafting.

• In-depth understanding and practical application of CDM Regulations 2015.

• Thorough knowledge of BS 5975 standards for Temporary Works design.

• Expertise in civil engineering design principles, including drainage, SuDS, foundations, and retaining structures.

• Excellent stakeholder management and cross-functional communication skills.

• Strong organizational abilities with a proven track record of managing multiple projects concurrently.

• Proactive, solution-focused approach to problem-solving and driving continuous improvement initiatives. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in value engineering and buildability assessments.

• Familiarity with various external works elements.

• Leadership experience in a design management capacity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualification requirements emphasize a strong technical foundation in civil engineering, backed by professional chartership or a clear path towards it. The combination of software proficiency (AutoCAD, Civil 3D) and regulatory knowledge (CDM, BS 5975) is critical for this role. The implied experience level suggests a need for individuals who can operate with a high degree of autonomy and leadership.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrable examples of successfully led design coordination processes for complex civil engineering or landscape construction projects.

• Case studies showcasing proactive identification and resolution of design conflicts or buildability issues, with documented outcomes.

• Evidence of implementing process improvements or developing new design standards that enhanced efficiency or project outcomes.

• Documentation illustrating experience in managing external consultants, including brief examples of performance oversight or deliverable management. Process Documentation:

• Workflows illustrating the end-to-end design management process from concept to construction readiness.

• Templates or examples of design review checklists, technical specifications, or calculation reports.

• Documentation of experience in ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks like CDM Regulations 2015 and BS 5975.

• Examples of value engineering proposals and their impact on project cost or delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio for this role should clearly articulate the candidate's ability to manage the entire design lifecycle, not just the technical creation of drawings. It should highlight leadership, problem-solving, and process optimization skills, with a focus on tangible project results and adherence to industry standards.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Competitive (Specific range not provided, but industry benchmarks suggest £55,000 - £75,000+ for Chartered Engineers in similar roles in Manchester, UK, depending on exact experience and specific responsibilities.)

Benefits:

• Opportunity to shape and develop the design function within a growing division.

• Highly influential technical leadership role with genuine autonomy.

• Exposure to a varied portfolio of landscape construction, public realm, and civil engineering projects across the UK.

• Chance to improve engineering standards and influence project delivery methodologies.

• Career development opportunities within a growing and ambitious business.

• Collaborative culture that values expertise, innovation, and continuous improvement.

• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel as required. Working Hours:

• 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary is stated as "Competitive," which is common for experienced professional roles. Based on the location (Manchester, UK), the seniority (implied 5-10 years+ experience, Chartered Engineer), and the scope of responsibilities, a typical range for a Chartered Civil Engineer in a Design Management role would fall between £55,000 and £75,000 per annum. Factors such as specific project complexity, the size of the division managed, and the candidate's exact years of experience and chartership status would influence the final offer. The benefits listed highlight opportunities for growth, influence, and autonomy, which are significant non-monetary compensations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Landscape Construction, Civil Engineering, Public Realm, Infrastructure Development. Ground Control operates in a sector focused on creating and maintaining functional and aesthetically pleasing outdoor environments, often involving significant civil engineering components.

Company Size: Mid-sized company (Implied by growth ambition and operational network).

Founded: Specific founding date not provided, but the company's focus on growth and established operational network suggests a company with a history and a clear forward-looking strategy.

Team Structure:

• The role will likely involve managing a mix of internal design engineers and coordinating with external consultants and project teams.

• The reporting structure is not explicitly detailed but implies a leadership role within the design function, potentially reporting to a Director of Operations, Engineering Director, or similar senior operational leader.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a key aspect, involving close interaction with estimating, bid teams, project managers, site teams, and clients. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making and performance measurement are implied through the focus on technical excellence, continuous improvement, and driving standards.

• Workflow planning and optimization are central to the role, ensuring efficient design delivery and buildability.

• Automation and efficiency practices are encouraged through the drive to improve standards and processes.

Company Website: https://careers.ground-control.co.uk

📝 Enhancement Note: Ground Control appears to be an ambitious company focused on growth within the construction and civil engineering sectors, particularly in landscape and public realm projects. The culture seems to value expertise, autonomy, and practical, buildable solutions. The emphasis on "experienced operational network" suggests a strong support system for technical leaders.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior technical leadership role, requiring a Chartered Engineer or equivalent experience. It sits above a pure design engineer role and involves significant management, coordination, and strategic input into the design process.

Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a senior operations or engineering director, with direct management of internal design staff and oversight of external consultants.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct and significant impact on project success by ensuring designs are practical, compliant, and cost-effective, thereby reducing risks, controlling budgets, and maintaining project timelines. It also influences the overall technical capability and standards of the company.

Growth Opportunities:

• Opportunity to shape and develop the design function within a growing division, potentially leading to broader departmental leadership.

• Advancement to higher-level engineering management roles, overseeing larger teams or more complex projects.

• Specialization in specific areas of civil engineering or landscape design through exposure to diverse projects.

• Potential to influence company-wide technical strategy and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Engineering Design Manager" title, combined with the requirement for chartership and the emphasis on autonomy and shaping the function, indicates a significant growth opportunity for an experienced engineer looking to move into a leadership and strategic role within a growing company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "Hybrid," suggesting a blend of office-based work and potential site visits or remote work as needed. The Manchester location likely houses a central office for design and project management teams.

Office Location(s): Manchester (M2), England, United Kingdom. This location will serve as a primary base for office-based activities.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be collaborative, involving interaction with other design engineers, project managers, and operational staff.

• Access to necessary design software (AutoCAD, Civil 3D) and technical resources will be provided.

• The hybrid nature allows for flexibility, balancing focused design work with essential site inspections or client meetings. Work Schedule:

• Standard working hours are 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Flexibility may be expected based on project demands, but the core schedule is defined.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Hybrid" work arrangement implies a need for self-discipline and effective time management, balancing on-site collaboration and office-based work with potential remote tasks. The Manchester office is likely a hub for the core operational and design teams.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and application for essential qualifications (degree, chartership status, software proficiency).

• Technical Interview: Discussion focused on engineering design principles, experience with specific project types (civil, landscape, public realm), and problem-solving scenarios related to buildability and compliance. Expect questions on CDM Regulations and BS 5975.

• Portfolio Review/Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present selected case studies from their portfolio, detailing their role, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and project outcomes. Focus on design coordination, technical leadership, and process improvement examples.

• Manager/Team Interview: Assessment of leadership style, stakeholder management capabilities, and cultural fit within Ground Control. Discussion on how they would approach developing the design function.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Select 2-3 strong case studies that best represent your experience in managing complex design processes for civil engineering or landscape projects.

• For each case study, clearly articulate the project scope, your specific responsibilities, the technical challenges encountered, the solutions you devised, and the quantifiable results (e.g., cost savings, time efficiencies, risk mitigation).

• Highlight instances where you demonstrated technical leadership, proactive problem-solving, and effective stakeholder engagement.

• Include examples of your work with AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and demonstrate your understanding of CDM Regulations and BS 5975 through project examples.

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to developing design standards and improving processes. Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss hypothetical scenarios: e.g., "How would you resolve a conflict between a drainage requirement and a landscaping feature?" or "What steps would you take if a key consultant was consistently delivering late or substandard designs?"

• Prepare to explain your understanding of value engineering and how you've applied it.

• Think about how you would implement and enforce new design standards within a team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to be rigorous, focusing heavily on technical competence, practical experience, and leadership potential. A well-curated portfolio that clearly demonstrates the ability to manage complex design challenges and drive process improvements will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• AutoCAD: Essential for 2D drafting and design.

• Civil 3D: Crucial for 3D modeling, terrain analysis, and infrastructure design (drainage, earthworks). Proficiency is a key requirement.

• Microsoft Office Suite: For documentation, reporting, and general productivity (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned, standard reporting tools and potentially project management software would be used for tracking design progress and consultant performance.

• Use of Excel for calculations, data analysis, and potentially creating dashboards for design progress or risk assessment. CRM & Automation:

• CRM systems are typically used for client and stakeholder management, though not directly managed by this role, interaction with CRM data might be necessary.

• Automation would be focused on design workflows and potentially using Civil 3D's capabilities for repetitive tasks or generating reports.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in AutoCAD and Civil 3D is non-negotiable. The role requires an engineer who can leverage these tools effectively for complex infrastructure and site development projects, including drainage, earthworks, and structural elements.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Technical Excellence: A strong emphasis on delivering accurate, compliant, and buildable designs.

• Practicality & Buildability: Prioritizing solutions that are feasible for construction and maintainable.

• Collaboration: Fostering teamwork between internal teams, consultants, and clients to achieve project goals.

• Continuous Improvement: A commitment to enhancing design standards, processes, and project delivery methods.

• Safety & Compliance: Ensuring all designs meet regulatory requirements (CDM 2015) and industry best practices (BS 5975).

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive and communicative, engaging stakeholders early and often to ensure alignment and resolve issues.

• Constructively challenging designs and decisions to ensure the best possible outcome for projects.

• Mentoring and knowledge-sharing within the design team to elevate overall capability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to value hands-on expertise, a pragmatic approach to engineering challenges, and a collaborative spirit focused on successful project delivery and continuous improvement.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing design integration across diverse project types (landscape, civil, public realm) with varying technical demands.

• Ensuring timely and high-quality design submissions from a mix of internal and external resources, often under tight project deadlines.

• Balancing the need for innovative design solutions with strict buildability, cost, and compliance constraints.

• Driving adoption of new standards and processes across teams and external partners. Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Opportunity to lead the strategic development of Ground Control's design function.

• Deepen expertise in specialized areas of civil engineering and landscape infrastructure through varied project exposure.

• Potential to gain experience in managing larger teams and more significant project portfolios.

• Pursue further professional development, certifications, or leadership training relevant to engineering management.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant challenges related to managing complex projects and driving change, but these are directly tied to substantial growth and development opportunities within a growing company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to resolve a significant conflict between a design requirement and site constraints. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on problem-solving, technical judgment, and stakeholder management.)

• "How would you approach developing and implementing new design standards for drainage and SuDS across our projects?" (Focus on process improvement, change management, and technical leadership.)

• "Imagine a key consultant is consistently missing deadlines. How would you address this to ensure project timelines are met?" (Focus on supplier management, communication, and proactive problem-solving.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you see as the biggest opportunities for innovation in design management for landscape construction and civil engineering projects?" (Demonstrate forward-thinking and industry awareness.)

• "How do you foster a culture of continuous improvement and technical excellence within a design team?" (Assess leadership style and approach to team development.)

• "Based on your understanding of Ground Control, what do you believe will be your biggest impact in this role?" (Showcase research and strategic thinking.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure your case studies to clearly articulate the problem, your solution, and the impact. Use visuals where possible.

• Be prepared to discuss the technical details of your designs, including calculations, materials, and compliance aspects.

• Emphasize your role in coordination, decision-making, and driving the design process forward.

• Highlight how your work contributed to project success (e.g., cost savings, schedule adherence, quality improvements).

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare specific examples that align with the core responsibilities and required skills. Demonstrating a proactive, solution-oriented mindset and a clear understanding of the company's operational context will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Engineering Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Ground Control careers website.

• Tailor your CV: Highlight your Chartered Engineer status (or progress towards it), degree qualifications, specific experience in civil engineering, landscape construction, public realm, and your proficiency with AutoCAD and Civil 3D. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare your portfolio: Curate 2-3 strong case studies demonstrating your design management, technical leadership, and problem-solving skills, with a focus on buildability and compliance.

• Research Ground Control: Understand their project portfolio, company values, and recent news to tailor your application and interview responses.

• Practice interview questions: Prepare answers for technical, behavioral, and situational questions, focusing on demonstrating your expertise in design coordination, CDM regulations, BS 5975, and stakeholder management.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.