Design Manager

Kane Group; Banbridge; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading multi-disciplinary construction firm in Northern Ireland is seeking a Design Manager to join their growing team. The role involves producing design schematics, leading design meetings, and ensuring design quality from conception through to fabrication. Candidates should have a degree in Mechanical or Structural Engineering, with over 5 years of experience in a similar role. The position offers competitive benefits, including health plans, pension schemes, and training opportunities.

Benefits

Cash Health Plan

4 x Salary Death in Service cover

Auto Enrolment Company Pension scheme

Company Sick Pay Scheme

Enhanced maternity & paternity benefits

Paid professional subscriptions

Variety of employee discounts

Cycle to Work Scheme

Branded clothing

State of the art gym access

Awards for long service

Additional annual leave based on length of service

Training and development opportunities

Free Onsite parking

Qualifications

• 5 plus years in a design role of similar scope.
• Previous experience in the commercial & industrial M&E sector.
• Experience in design of Offsite Manufacturing concepts.

Responsibilities

• Review and analyse employer’s requirements and tender documentation.
• Produce schematics, calculations, specifications and plant schedules.
• Lead weekly Design Team Meetings and set design targets.
• Create fabrication detail drawings using fabCAD.
• Assist with material selection and compliance.

Skills

Organised and structured approach

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Good communication abilities

Proactive and forward-thinking attitude

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent HND

Degree in Structural Engineering

Tools

fabCAD software

Job description

Kane Group are an established, and successful multi-disciplinary building-services solution contractor, with our Head Office based in Banbridge, Northern Ireland.

We're an innovative, forward-thinking company with continued steady growth serving residential, hospitality, education, commercial and healthcare sectors with offices in Northern Ireland, London, Birmingham, Glasgow and the Republic of Ireland.

We are seeking a Design Manager based in Banbridge to be part of our growing team.

What We Do

As a predominantly design-and-build contractor, we typically inherit concept designs at Stage 3 and develop them through to Stage 7 across sectors such as residential, commercial, industrial, multi-use city developments, and student accommodation.

Our in-house prefabrication capability allows us to compete with some of the UK’s largest building services contractors for prestigious projects. The Offsite team plays a critical role in identifying modular opportunities within a building, developing the concept design, and taking it through to workshop‑ready drawings for fabrication.

Why This Role is Different

Unlike traditional consultancy roles, you will work on fewer projects at any given time, allowing you to focus on quality and innovation. You will be involved in every stage from initial appointment through design development, prefabrication, and on‑site installation of modular plantrooms and skids. This end‑to‑end involvement offers a unique opportunity to see your designs come to life.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and analyse employer’s requirements and tender documentation.
• Produce schematics, calculations, specifications and plant schedules.
• Communicate effectively with the wider Kane design team, both in person and via email.
• Lead weekly Design Team Meetings, setting design output targets and ensuring quality delivery from concept through to fabrication.
• Create fabrication detail drawings using fabCAD software.
• Coordinate services in plant areas from a buildability perspective, considering multidisciplinary interfaces.
• Assist with material selection, weld standards and specification compliance.
• Mentor and support junior members of the Offsite team.
• Carry out occasional site visits (typically 1–2 days per month).
• Liaise with Production teams to align workshop programme requirements and resource needs.
• Support development of processes for recording and reporting design output data, including understanding design time cost implications.

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent HND
• Degree in Structural Engineering

Experience & Knowledge

• 5 plus years’ in design role of similar scope.
• Previous experience working within the commercial & industrial M&E sector
• Previous experience within design of Offsite Manufacturing concepts & components.
• Organised and structured approach to your work
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Microsoft Excel
• Analytical and problem‑solving skills with good communication abilities
• Proactive and forward thinking attitude to the development and implementation of new process & procedures.

Company Benefits

• Cash Health Plan to include Employee Assistance Programme
• 4 x Salary Death in Service cover
• Auto Enrolment Company Pension scheme (Salary Sacrifice)
• Company Sick Pay Scheme, which is available upon successful completion of probation, and increases with service
• Enhanced maternity & paternity benefits
• Paid professional subscriptions
• Variety of employee discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Branded clothing
• Active Social and Wellbeing Committees
• Annual Health Checks
• Full use of onsite state of the art gym
• Awards for long service
• Additional annual leave based on length of service
• Training and development opportunities.
• Free Onsite parking

Kane is an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

If you think you have the expertise and knowledge to fulfill this role.