Highways Design Manager on Transport Infrastructure Projects - Madrid at Ferrovial

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Highways Design Manager on Transport Infrastructure Projects - Madrid

Company: Ferrovial

Location: Madrid, Madrid, Spain

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Civil Engineering Design / Transportation Infrastructure Design

Date Posted: 2025-06-11T00:00:00

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🎨 Role Summary

Lead and manage a team of design engineers and external consultants to deliver cost-effective and high-quality civil infrastructure designs, focusing on complex highways, railroads, transit projects, and runways.
Drive the design process from tender stages through delivery, ensuring the preparation of comprehensive plans, reports, and associated documentation for various design phases.
Foster a collaborative, multidisciplinary design environment, actively engaging with team members and stakeholders to identify project needs, evaluate alternative solutions, and resolve design challenges.
Ensure design quality and compliance through rigorous due diligence, review, and quality control of designs produced by the internal team and subconsultants, specifically for roadway, railway, and pavement designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is primarily focused on civil engineering design management within the transport infrastructure sector, rather than traditional creative design disciplines like UI/UX or visual design. The enhancement focuses on interpreting the core requirements through the lens of engineering design processes and project management within that context.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

Manage and mentor a design team, providing technical guidance and leadership to ensure the successful execution of design tasks for large-scale transport infrastructure projects.
Oversee the preparation of detailed design plans, specifications, and reports, ensuring accuracy, compliance with applicable standards, and alignment with project objectives.
Coordinate and facilitate communication between the design team, other engineering disciplines, construction teams, clients, and external consultants to ensure seamless project integration and issue resolution.
Conduct thorough due diligence and quality control reviews of civil designs, including geometric design, pavement design, and associated elements, ensuring technical integrity and adherence to project requirements.
Monitor design progress against established schedules, identify potential delays or risks, and implement corrective actions to ensure timely delivery of design deliverables.
Analyze and interpret applicable technical specifications and standards relevant to highways, railways, and other transport infrastructure, ensuring designs comply with regulatory and project-specific requirements.
Estimate and monitor Bills of Quantities (BoQ) associated with highways design, contributing to cost control and project budgeting.
Provide technical support to ongoing detailed design projects, offering alternative design solutions and resolving complex design challenges encountered during the project lifecycle.
Participate in project-specific meetings with clients, engineering consultants, and other stakeholders to discuss design progress, address technical issues, and ensure stakeholder alignment.
Assist with field observation work when necessary, providing on-site technical support and verifying design implementation during construction.

📝 Enhancement Note: Responsibilities are framed within the context of civil engineering design project management, emphasizing technical oversight, team leadership, quality assurance, and stakeholder coordination specific to large-scale transport infrastructure.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Master's or Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering is required, providing a strong foundation in the principles of structural analysis, geotechnical engineering, transportation engineering, and civil infrastructure design. Advanced degrees or specializations in transportation or structural engineering are highly desirable.

Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of progressive professional experience in the design of civil infrastructure projects, with a focus on major highways, railway projects, transit systems, or airport runways. Experience should include significant involvement in all phases of the design lifecycle, from conceptual design and feasibility studies through detailed design and construction support. Demonstrated experience leading design teams and managing external consultants on complex projects is essential. A strong portfolio of successfully delivered transport infrastructure design projects demonstrating technical expertise and project management capabilities is expected.

Required Skills:

Proven expertise in the design of civil infrastructure, including geometric design of highways and railways, pavement design (analytical methods and AASHTO 93 methodology), and associated civil structures.
Strong technical proficiency in civil transportation design software such as Civil 3D, ISTRAM, OPENROADS, or similar industry-standard tools for geometric design, terrain modeling, and quantity takeoff.
Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to effectively manage, mentor, and guide a team of design engineers and coordinate with external consultants.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English are mandatory, enabling effective communication with international teams, clients, and stakeholders.
Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex construction documents, engineering drawings, technical specifications, and relevant design standards.
Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality, accurate, and compliant design deliverables in a fast-paced project environment.
Proven problem-solving abilities with the capacity to identify design challenges, evaluate alternative solutions, and implement innovative and cost-effective design approaches.
Experience with quality control and assurance processes for civil engineering designs, including conducting technical reviews and ensuring adherence to project requirements and industry best practices.
Ability to perform studies on applicable specifications and standards for civil infrastructure projects, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Experience in estimating and monitoring Bills of Quantities (BoQ) for civil works, contributing to project cost control and financial management.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment, coordinating with other engineering disciplines (e.g., structural, geotechnical, environmental) and construction teams.

Preferred Skills:

Experience with BIM (Building Information Modeling) processes and software for civil infrastructure projects.
Knowledge of international design standards and practices relevant to transport infrastructure (e.g., Eurocodes, AASHTO LRFD).
Experience in the design of complex civil structures associated with transport infrastructure, such as bridges, tunnels, or retaining walls.
Familiarity with project management methodologies and tools for tracking design progress and managing resources.
Proficiency in Spanish is highly desirable, given the location in Madrid, Spain.

📝 Enhancement Note: Qualifications are detailed with a strong emphasis on civil engineering expertise, specific design software proficiency, leadership experience in a technical context, and the ability to manage complex infrastructure projects. The portfolio requirement is inferred as standard practice for demonstrating technical design capabilities in this field.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Include detailed case studies of large-scale transport infrastructure projects (highways, railways, transit, runways) where you played a significant design or design management role.
Showcase examples of complex geometric designs, pavement designs, and associated civil structures, highlighting your technical expertise and problem-solving approaches.
Demonstrate your experience in managing design teams and coordinating with external consultants on previous projects.
Present examples of design documentation, including plans, reports, specifications, and BoQ estimations, illustrating your attention to detail and quality control practices.

Process Documentation:

For each project case study, document your design process from initial concept or tender phase through detailed design and construction support.
Explain your methodology for identifying project needs, evaluating alternative design solutions, and making technical decisions.
Illustrate your approach to managing design risks, resolving technical challenges, and ensuring design quality and compliance with standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: Portfolio guidance is tailored to a civil engineering design context, focusing on demonstrating technical expertise, project management capabilities, and a systematic design process for large infrastructure projects.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the location in Madrid, Spain, and the requirement for 5-10 years of experience in a specialized civil engineering design management role within transport infrastructure, the estimated annual salary range is typically between €50,000 and €75,000. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in the region, considering factors such as experience level, technical expertise, leadership responsibilities, and the complexity of projects managed. Data sources include professional salary surveys for civil engineering roles in Spain and general cost of living adjustments for Madrid. The final salary offered may vary based on the candidate's specific qualifications, experience, and negotiation.

Benefits:

Comprehensive health insurance coverage for employees and potentially dependents, providing access to medical services and specialists.
Pension plan or retirement savings scheme, with potential employer contributions to support long-term financial planning.
Paid time off, including vacation days, public holidays, and potentially sick leave, providing work-life balance.
Opportunities for professional development and training in relevant civil engineering design software, project management methodologies, and industry standards.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours, typically 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility depending on project deadlines and phases. The nature of design management in infrastructure projects may require occasional extended hours during critical project stages.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary range is estimated based on typical compensation for experienced civil engineering design managers in Madrid, Spain, considering the specified experience level and industry. The benefits listed are standard for professional roles in large engineering and construction firms in the region.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Ferrovial operates within the global infrastructure sector, specializing in the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of transport infrastructure (highways, airports, railways) and other public services. The company's market context involves large-scale, complex projects often delivered under various models including traditional design-bid-build, design-build, and public-private partnerships (P3). For design professionals, this means working on technically challenging and impactful projects that shape transportation networks.

Company Size: Ferrovial is a large, international group with a significant global presence, including over 16,999 employees according to LinkedIn data for Webber, a Ferrovial company. Working within a large organization like Ferrovial means access to extensive resources, a wide range of expertise, and opportunities to contribute to diverse projects. For design professionals, this implies working within established processes and potentially large, multidisciplinary project teams.

Founded: While the specific founding date for the overall Ferrovial group is not provided in the input, the mention of Webber founded in 1963 indicates a long history in the construction and infrastructure sector. This history suggests a mature company with established practices and a strong track record in delivering major projects.

Team Structure:

The design team is likely structured around specific project needs, with design managers leading teams of civil engineers and potentially coordinating with specialists in other disciplines (e.g., geotechnical, structural, environmental).
Reporting lines will likely be to a higher-level design or engineering management position within the Ferrovial Construcción business unit.
Cross-functional collaboration is essential, requiring close interaction with construction teams, project managers, clients, and external consultants.

Methodology:

Design processes likely follow established engineering standards and project management methodologies, adapted for large-scale infrastructure projects.
Emphasis will be on rigorous analysis, detailed design development, and adherence to technical specifications and regulatory requirements.
Quality control and assurance processes are integral to the design methodology to ensure the technical integrity and safety of the infrastructure.

Company Website: Ferrovial Career Site

📝 Enhancement Note: Company and team context are interpreted based on the provided information about Ferrovial as a large, international infrastructure company. The focus is on the implications for a civil engineering design role within such an organization, including project types, team structure, and design methodology.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-to-senior level within the civil engineering design career path, specifically focused on design management. It involves leading technical teams, managing project design deliverables, and coordinating with multiple stakeholders. The scope of responsibility includes technical oversight, project execution, and potentially mentoring junior engineers.

Reporting Structure: The Highways Design Manager will likely report to a higher level of engineering or project management within Ferrovial Construcción, such as a Technical Director, Engineering Manager, or Project Director, depending on the specific project and organizational structure. This reporting structure indicates a focus on technical leadership and project delivery.

Design Impact: Design plays a critical role in Ferrovial's projects, directly influencing the safety, functionality, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability of large-scale transport infrastructure. The Design Manager's work has a significant impact on project success, from the feasibility stage through construction and operation.

Growth Opportunities:

Advancement to higher levels of technical management or project management within Ferrovial, potentially overseeing larger teams or more complex infrastructure projects.
Opportunities to specialize in specific areas of transport infrastructure design, such as high-speed rail, complex bridge design, or advanced pavement technologies.
Potential for international assignments on Ferrovial's global projects, providing exposure to different design standards and construction practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Career progression is analyzed based on the typical path for experienced civil engineering design professionals within a large infrastructure company, focusing on technical leadership, project scale, and specialization opportunities.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: The work environment is primarily office-based, likely within Ferrovial Construcción's headquarters in Madrid. This implies a professional engineering office setting with dedicated workspaces for design and project teams. Occasional site visits for field observation or project meetings may be required.

Office Location(s): The primary location for this role is specified as ESP - CONST - HQ RdL (Madrid), indicating placement within Ferrovial Construcción's headquarters in Madrid. Accessibility will depend on the specific office address within Madrid, but generally, headquarters locations in major cities are well-served by public transport.

Design Workspace Context:

The workspace will be equipped with necessary engineering software, computing resources, and access to technical libraries and databases.
Collaboration spaces, meeting rooms, and potentially dedicated project rooms will be available to facilitate teamwork and multidisciplinary coordination.
Interaction with the design team, project managers, and other engineering disciplines will be a daily occurrence within the office environment.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time office hours, with the possibility of flexibility depending on project demands. The nature of project-based work may require adaptability to meet deadlines during critical project phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment description is based on the assumption of an office-based role within a large engineering firm's headquarters, typical for design management positions in this industry.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

Initial screening interview, potentially with HR or a recruitment specialist, to assess basic qualifications and experience. Be prepared to discuss your relevant project experience and your interest in transport infrastructure design.
Technical interview(s) with engineering managers or senior design professionals. Expect questions about your experience with specific design software, your knowledge of design standards, and your approach to complex design challenges. Be ready to discuss your portfolio case studies in detail.
Interview focusing on leadership and project management skills. You will be asked about your experience leading design teams, managing project schedules and budgets, and coordinating with stakeholders. Prepare examples demonstrating your leadership style and your ability to resolve team or project issues.
Potential interview with the hiring manager or a senior director to assess overall fit with the team and company culture, discuss career aspirations, and align expectations regarding the role and responsibilities.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Structure your portfolio around detailed case studies of 3-5 significant transport infrastructure design projects you have managed or played a key design role in.
For each case study, clearly outline the project scope, your specific responsibilities, the design challenges you faced, the solutions you developed, and the impact of your work. Include relevant technical drawings, plans, and reports.
Highlight your experience with relevant design software (Civil 3D, ISTRAM, OPENROADS, etc.) and demonstrate how you used these tools effectively in your design process.
Emphasize your leadership and project management contributions within the design team, showcasing your ability to manage resources, timelines, and technical quality.

Challenge Preparation:

While a traditional "design challenge" in the creative sense might not be typical, be prepared for technical questions related to civil engineering design principles, standards, and best practices.
You might be asked to discuss how you would approach a hypothetical design problem related to highways or railways, demonstrating your problem-solving methodology and technical knowledge.
Be ready to explain your rationale for design decisions and articulate your approach to managing technical risks and uncertainties.

ATS Keywords: Civil Engineering, Highway Design, Railway Design, Transport Infrastructure, Geometric Design, Pavement Design, Project Management, Design Management, Team Leadership, Civil 3D, ISTRAM, OPENROADS, AASHTO, Eurocodes, Quality Control, Due Diligence, Technical Review, Stakeholder Coordination, Construction Support, Bill of Quantities, Specifications, Problem Solving, Multidisciplinary Collaboration, Large-Scale Projects, Infrastructure Projects, Civil Engineering Software, Design Standards, Madrid, Spain, Ferrovial, Construction, Engineering, Technical Leadership, Project Delivery, Risk Management, Value Engineering.

📝 Enhancement Note: Application process and interview preparation are tailored to a technical design management role in civil engineering, emphasizing technical expertise, project management capabilities, and the ability to discuss complex infrastructure projects.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

Civil 3D: Essential for civil engineering design, including site design, road design, and earthwork calculations. Proficiency in creating accurate 3D models and generating design documentation is expected.
ISTRAM: A specialized software for civil engineering projects, commonly used in Spain and Europe for road and railway design. Experience with its geometric design and analysis capabilities is highly valuable.
OPENROADS: Another widely used software for roadway and civil site design. Experience with its features for 3D modeling, analysis, and visualization is beneficial.
Other Civil Transportation Software: Familiarity with similar software suites used for geometric design, terrain modeling, and quantity takeoff in transport infrastructure projects.

Collaboration & Handoff:

Project Management Software: Tools for tracking project progress, managing tasks, and facilitating communication within the design team and with other stakeholders.
Document Management Systems: Platforms for organizing, storing, and sharing design documents, reports, and specifications securely.
Email and Communication Platforms: Standard tools for daily communication and coordination with internal and external teams.

Research & Testing:

Technical Libraries and Databases: Access to relevant engineering standards, codes, and technical publications for research and reference.
Analysis Software: Depending on the project scope, potentially access to specialized software for structural analysis, geotechnical analysis, or hydraulic modeling.

📝 Enhancement Note: Tools and technology stack are focused on the specific civil engineering design software mentioned in the requirements and other relevant tools used in infrastructure project design and management.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

Technical Excellence: A strong emphasis on producing high-quality, accurate, and technically sound designs that meet rigorous engineering standards and ensure the safety and functionality of infrastructure projects.
Collaboration and Teamwork: Fostering a collaborative environment within the design team and across different disciplines to ensure integrated and effective design solutions.
Problem Solving and Innovation: Encouraging a proactive approach to identifying design challenges and developing innovative and cost-effective solutions for complex infrastructure projects.
Integrity and Ethics: Upholding high professional standards, ethical conduct, and a commitment to responsible engineering practices in all design activities.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-functional collaboration with construction teams, project managers, clients, and other engineering disciplines is essential, requiring strong communication and coordination skills.
Regular design reviews and technical discussions within the team to ensure design quality and consistency.
Collaboration with external consultants, managing their contributions and ensuring alignment with project requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Team culture and values are inferred based on the nature of the role within a large engineering and construction company, emphasizing technical rigor, collaboration, and problem-solving in the context of infrastructure projects.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

Managing the design of complex transport infrastructure projects with challenging technical requirements, tight deadlines, and budget constraints. Preparation involves developing strong project management skills and efficient design workflows.
Coordinating and integrating designs from multiple disciplines and external consultants to ensure a cohesive and functional final design. Mitigation strategies include implementing robust communication protocols and clear design interface management.
Adapting to evolving design standards, technologies, and project requirements throughout the design lifecycle. Continuous learning and professional development are essential to stay current.
Balancing technical requirements with cost-effectiveness and constructability considerations during the design process. This requires strong technical judgment and collaboration with construction teams.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Opportunities to work on diverse and complex transport infrastructure projects, gaining exposure to different project types, scales, and technical challenges.
Access to internal and external training programs focused on advanced civil engineering design techniques, project management methodologies, and relevant software.
Mentorship opportunities with experienced engineering leaders within Ferrovial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges and growth opportunities are framed within the context of managing complex civil engineering design projects in the transport infrastructure sector, highlighting technical and managerial challenges and relevant development paths.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

Describe your experience managing the design process for a large-scale highway or railway project from tender to delivery. Focus on your approach to planning, execution, and quality control.
Explain your methodology for evaluating alternative design solutions and making technical decisions on complex infrastructure projects. Provide specific examples from your portfolio.
How do you ensure the quality and accuracy of civil engineering designs produced by your team and external consultants? Discuss your experience with design reviews and quality assurance processes.

Company Culture Questions:

Based on your understanding of Ferrovial and its projects, what aspects of the company's approach to transport infrastructure design resonate with you? Research recent Ferrovial projects in Spain or internationally.
Describe your experience working collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment. How do you effectively coordinate with other engineering disciplines, construction teams, and clients?
How do you approach leading and mentoring a team of design engineers? Discuss your leadership style and how you foster a productive and collaborative team culture.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Prepare to walk through 3-5 key project case studies from your portfolio, focusing on the technical challenges, your design solutions, and your role in managing the design process.
Use technical drawings, plans, and diagrams from your projects to illustrate your design approach and technical expertise.
Clearly articulate your leadership and project management contributions within each case study, highlighting how you successfully delivered design outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation focuses on questions relevant to a civil engineering design manager role, covering technical expertise, project management, leadership, and cultural fit within an infrastructure company.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

Submit your application through this link.
Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in civil engineering design management, specifically on transport infrastructure projects, and your proficiency with relevant design software and standards.
Prepare a portfolio showcasing detailed case studies of your most relevant projects, emphasizing your technical contributions, design process, and leadership experience.
Research Ferrovial's recent transport infrastructure projects and be prepared to discuss your interest in their work and how your experience aligns with their project needs.

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

Highways Design Manager on Transport Infrastructure Projects - Madrid