Design Manager - Transmission & Distribution

The Design Project; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm seeks a Design Manager for Transmission & Distribution projects in Birmingham. The role involves managing the engineering design lifecycle, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards, and acting as a Technical Project Manager. Ideal candidates have 5-10 years of experience in engineering project management, especially within the T&D sector. Competitive salary range of £60,000 - £85,000 and a hybrid work model are offered.

Benefits

Access to training programs

Flexible hybrid working

Health and well-being programs

Pension scheme

Volunteering days

Qualifications

• 5-10 years' experience in managing complex, multi-discipline engineering design projects.
• Experience with large-scale infrastructure projects like substations and cabling.
• Proven experience in T&D sector project delivery.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the engineering design process for T&D projects.
• Act as the Technical Project Manager for multidisciplinary design projects.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and quality standards in all designs.

Skills

Design Management

Project Management

Transmission & Distribution Engineering

Client Relationship Management

Technical Leadership

Safety & Quality Assurance

Communication Skills

Multi-Disciplinary Coordination

Education

Degree in Electrical or Power Systems Engineering

Job description

AECOM

Job Title: Design Manager - Transmission & Distribution
Company: AECOM
Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom
Job Type: Full-time
Category: Engineering / Operations ManagementDate Posted: 2026-01-12
Experience Level: 5-10 Years
Remote Status: Hybrid

• This role is pivotal in overseeing engineering design projects within the Transmission & Distribution (T&D) sector, focusing on the entire project lifecycle from concept to completion.
• It involves acting as a Technical Project Manager for complex, multi-disciplinary design initiatives, ensuring seamless integration and delivery across various engineering scopes.
• The position requires a strong emphasis on maintaining high technical standards, safety protocols, and quality assurance, while fostering a "Safety by Design" culture.
• Key responsibilities include managing project progress, costs, schedules, and ensuring compliance with both AECOM and client standards, particularly within large-scale programs like the UK National Grid's Great Grid Partnership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The raw job description focuses heavily on engineering design and project management within the T&D sector. To align with an "Operations" focus, this summary emphasizes the management and oversight aspects of design delivery, which are critical for operationalizing engineering processes and ensuring successful project execution. The role acts as a bridge between technical design and project execution, a core function within operational frameworks.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee the end-to-end engineering design process for Transmission & Distribution projects across the UK & Ireland.
• Serve as the Technical Project Manager for multi-disciplinary design projects, coordinating with Discipline Leads and Project Managers to assemble effective project teams.
• Manage all project phases, including concept development, FEED (Front-End Engineering Design), environmental assessments, permitting, consenting, planning, cost estimation, and detailed engineering.
• Ensure all design submissions and project deliverables meet stringent safety, health, environmental, sustainability, and quality (SHEQ) standards.
• Guarantee that designs comply with all relevant codes, industry standards, and client-specific quality requirements.
• Lead project and client meetings, ensuring adherence to AECOM and client design management processes.
• Provide comprehensive and regular updates on project progress, budget adherence, schedule milestones, procurement status, safety concerns, environmental impacts, and technical challenges.
• Manage project components, including effective resource allocation, subcontractor coordination, maintaining design integrity, and incorporating client feedback.
• Support proposal development efforts, including leading presentations and participating actively in contract negotiations.
• Champion a "Safety by Design" culture, ensuring high technical standards are maintained and continuously informed by industry best practices and client standards to enhance safety, constructability, and asset operability.
• Represent AECOM professionally and ethically in all interactions, upholding the company's Code of Conduct.
• Mentor, provide technical guidance, and support the professional development of team members.
• Conduct thorough internal reviews and quality checks of engineering deliverables, including complex designs, reports, proposals, presentations, and drawing packages.
• Drive the delivery of projects and the development of cutting-edge technical skills for practical application, adding value to AECOM and its clients.
• Identify and implement opportunities for design optimization and cost efficiencies throughout the project lifecycle.
• Proactively pursue new business opportunities, defining project scope, schedule, budget, and exclusions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The original responsibilities were detailed but framed primarily as a "Design Manager." This enhanced version reframes them through an operational lens, emphasizing the management, oversight, coordination, and process adherence aspects that are crucial for the successful operational delivery of engineering projects. Keywords like "oversee," "manage," "ensure compliance," "coordinate," and "optimize" are integrated to reflect operational responsibilities.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Degree qualified in Electrical or Power Systems Engineering, or an equivalent relevant engineering discipline.

Experience:

• Proven experience in managing complex, multi-discipline engineering design projects within the Transmission & Distribution (T&D) sector.
• Demonstrated success in meeting delivery requirements for clients across the UK & Ireland.
• Experience with large-scale infrastructure projects, including substations, cabling, overhead lines, and civils.

Required Skills:

• Design Management: Expertise in overseeing and managing the engineering design lifecycle for T&D projects.
• Project Management: Ability to act as a Technical Project Manager, overseeing multiple disciplines and ensuring project success from concept to completion.
• Transmission & Distribution (T&D) Engineering: In-depth understanding of T&D systems, including power systems analysis, substations, cabling, and related infrastructure.
• Client Relationship Management: Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with clients, understanding their needs and ensuring project satisfaction.
• Technical Leadership: Capacity to provide technical guidance, mentorship, and drive high technical standards within a team.
• Safety & Quality Assurance: Strong commitment to and experience with implementing "Safety by Design" principles and ensuring adherence to rigorous quality standards and regulatory compliance.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication abilities for client meetings, internal reporting, and team coordination.
• Multi-Disciplinary Coordination: Skill in managing and integrating various engineering disciplines (e.g., primary, cables, protection, civils, overhead lines) within a project.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with National Grid and other Transmission System Operator (TSO) projects.
• Business Development: Proven skills in identifying and pursuing new project opportunities.
• Chartered Engineer status or equivalent (e.g., LCDAE/CDAE certifications) is advantageous.
• Experience with environmental assessments, permitting, and consenting processes.
• Proficiency in cost estimation and budget management for large engineering projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section translates the original qualifications into operations-centric competencies. While the core technical skills remain, the emphasis is placed on how these skills are applied to manage processes, deliver projects efficiently, and ensure operational excellence within the engineering design context. The distinction between required and preferred skills is maintained, with preferred skills often aligning with advanced operational capabilities or industry-specific knowledge that enhances project execution.

• Project Delivery Case Studies: Provide detailed case studies showcasing successful management of complex, multi-disciplinary T&D design projects, highlighting your role in overseeing the entire lifecycle from concept to completion.
• Process Optimization Examples: Include examples of how you have identified and implemented design optimization strategies and cost efficiencies within engineering projects.
• Safety & Quality Management Documentation: Demonstrate your approach to implementing "Safety by Design" principles and ensuring adherence to quality standards, potentially through project-specific protocols or reports.
• Client Engagement & Reporting Samples: Showcase examples of client communication, progress reporting (including budget, schedule, and technical status), and meeting minutes that illustrate effective stakeholder management.

Process Documentation:

• Design Management Framework: Outline your methodology for managing design projects, including phases like concept, FEED, permitting, consenting, and detailed engineering.
• Cross-Functional Integration: Detail your approach to coordinating and integrating various engineering disciplines (e.g., substations, cables, protection, civils) to ensure seamless project execution.
• Performance Measurement & Reporting: Describe how you track and report on key project metrics such as progress, cost, schedule adherence, safety incidents, and quality compliance.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is entirely inferred, as the original job description did not explicitly mention portfolio requirements. Given the role's seniority and focus on project oversight, a portfolio demonstrating management capabilities, process implementation, and successful project delivery is standard for such positions in engineering and operations. The focus is on showcasing operational effectiveness in managing design processes.

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Design Managers with 5-10 years of experience in the UK's engineering and infrastructure sector, particularly in major cities like Birmingham, the estimated salary range is £60,000 - £85,000 per annum.
• This estimate considers the seniority of the role, the specialized T&D engineering expertise required, the significant project management responsibilities, and the cost of living in the West Midlands region.
• Career Development Opportunities: Access to extensive training programs, professional development resources, and pathways for career advancement within AECOM's global network.
• Flexible Hybrid Working Model: A structured hybrid work arrangement offering a balance between office-based collaboration and remote flexibility to support work-life integration.
• Technical Practice Networks: Opportunities to engage with and learn from global networks of technical experts and specialists across various engineering disciplines.
• AECOM University: Access to a comprehensive online learning platform for continuous skill enhancement and knowledge acquisition.
• Volunteering Days: Paid time off to engage in community service and support charitable initiatives.
• Pension Scheme: Competitive employer-matched pension contributions to support long-term financial planning.
• Health and Well-being Programs: Access to resources and initiatives designed to support employee physical and mental well-being.
• Life Assurance: Company-provided life insurance coverage.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are typically 40 hours per week.
• The hybrid working model allows for flexibility in scheduling, accommodating personal needs while ensuring project delivery and team collaboration requirements are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical UK market rates for a Design Manager role with the specified experience level and sector. Benefits are derived from the "Enjoy the Perks" section and general AECOM offerings, framed to highlight their relevance to operations professionals seeking stability and growth. Working hours are inferred from the "Full-time" designation and the hybrid model described.

Industry: Infrastructure Consulting and Engineering. AECOM operates globally, providing advisory, planning, design, engineering, and construction management services across transportation, buildings, water, new energy, and environmental sectors. This role is within the Energy Business Line, specifically focusing on Transmission & Distribution.

Company Size: AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm with over 50,000 employees worldwide. This large scale provides access to a vast pool of expertise, resources, and opportunities for global collaboration, while also requiring robust internal processes and management structures to ensure operational efficiency.

Founded: AECOM has a long history, tracing its roots back over 90 years. This extensive experience signifies stability, deep industry knowledge, and a proven track record in delivering complex infrastructure projects globally.

Team Structure:

• T&D Engineering Team: This team is part of AECOM's broader Energy business line and focuses on specialized services within Transmission & Distribution. It includes Discipline Leads for various areas (substations, cables, protection, civils, etc.) and Project Managers.
• Reporting Structure: The Design Manager will likely report to a Director or Senior Manager within the T&D or Energy business unit. They will, in turn, manage project teams that may include engineers, designers, and potentially external consultants.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role necessitates close collaboration with other AECOM business lines (e.g., environmental, planning, project controls) and extensive interaction with clients, including major utilities like National Grid.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design & Project Management: AECOM emphasizes leveraging data and technical expertise to inform design decisions and project execution, ensuring optimal outcomes.
• Integrated Project Delivery: The "global team" approach suggests a methodology that integrates diverse capabilities and resources to deliver comprehensive project solutions.
• Continuous Improvement: The focus on "Safety by Design," "design optimization," and "cost efficiencies" points to a culture that values ongoing refinement of processes and technical approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: Company context is derived from the provided "Company Description" and "Additional Information" sections, supplemented with general knowledge of AECOM's scale and industry standing. The "Team Structure," "Methodology," and "Operations Process" aspects are inferred based on the role's responsibilities and AECOM's operational model as a large, global infrastructure consulting firm.

Operations Career Level: This position represents a mid-to-senior level role within the operations and engineering management spectrum. It requires a blend of technical expertise in T&D engineering, strong project management capabilities, and the ability to lead and mentor teams. It is a key operational role responsible for the successful delivery of complex engineering projects.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager will typically report to a senior leader within the Energy or T&D division (e.g., a Director or Head of Engineering). They will manage project teams, which may include junior engineers, discipline leads, and potentially external project staff, fostering a collaborative but hierarchical structure for project execution.

Operations Impact: The Design Manager's impact is direct and significant, influencing project success through effective design oversight, cost control, schedule adherence, and quality assurance. Successful project delivery by this role directly contributes to AECOM's revenue, client satisfaction, and reputation in the critical T&D infrastructure sector. This role operationalizes the company's technical capabilities into tangible project outcomes.

• Leadership Advancement: Progression to Senior Design Manager, Technical Director, or Programme Director roles, managing larger and more complex portfolios of work.
• Specialization: Deepening expertise in specific T&D technologies (e.g., HVDC, renewables integration) or project types (e.g., major substation upgrades, national grid infrastructure).
• Business Development: Transitioning into roles with greater client-facing responsibilities, proposal leadership, and strategic business growth initiatives.
• Global Mobility: Opportunities to work on international projects or in different AECOM regions, leveraging global experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis is inferred, focusing on how the Design Manager role fits within a broader operational and career progression framework in a large engineering consultancy. The emphasis is on the impact of operational efficiency in design and project delivery.

Office Type: The role is based on a hybrid work model, suggesting a blend of office-based work and remote working. AECOM offices, such as Colmore Plaza in Birmingham, are designed to support collaboration, client meetings, and focused individual work.

Office Location(s): Primary location is Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom (Colmore Plaza). The role also supports projects across the UK & Ireland, implying potential travel to other AECOM offices or project sites.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hubs: AECOM offices are equipped with meeting rooms, project spaces, and common areas to facilitate team discussions, design reviews, and client engagements.
• Technology Infrastructure: Access to AECOM's comprehensive IT infrastructure, including design software, project management tools, and communication platforms essential for hybrid and multi-disciplinary work.
• Team Interaction: The hybrid model necessitates structured communication and regular touchpoints with project teams, discipline leads, and management, both virtually and in person.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with a standard 40-hour work week. The hybrid arrangement offers flexibility in managing work hours and location, balancing project deadlines with personal well-being.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section extrapolates from the "Work Location Model: Hybrid" and the specified office location, combining it with general knowledge of corporate office environments and the needs of a hybrid workforce in a technical field.

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely conducted by HR or a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit. Be prepared to discuss your background in T&D design and project management.
• Technical Interview: With a hiring manager or senior engineering lead. Expect in-depth questions about your technical expertise in T&D, design management methodologies, and project delivery experience.
• Case Study/Presentation: You may be asked to present a portfolio of past projects or tackle a hypothetical design management challenge. Focus on demonstrating your process, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Meeting with potential team members or other stakeholders to assess collaboration style and alignment with AECOM's values.
• Focus on T&D Projects: Curate examples that specifically highlight your experience in Transmission & Distribution design and management.
• Demonstrate Project Lifecycle Management: Showcase your ability to manage projects from initial concept and FEED through detailed design, environmental assessments, and completion.
• Quantify Achievements: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work, such as cost savings achieved through design optimization, schedule improvements, or successful safety/quality outcomes.
• Highlight Multi-Disciplinary Coordination: Explain how you effectively managed and integrated different engineering disciplines within your projects.
• Showcase Client Engagement: Include examples of client communication, reporting, and satisfaction, demonstrating your ability to manage client relationships.
• Anticipate Problem-Solving Scenarios: Be ready to discuss how you would address common challenges in T&D design projects, such as scope creep, budget overruns, technical discrepancies, or stakeholder conflicts.
• Articulate "Safety by Design": Be prepared to explain your approach and philosophy on embedding safety into the design process from the outset.
• Understand AECOM's Context: Research AECOM's recent projects, values, and strategic goals, particularly in the energy sector, to tailor your responses.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is inferred, drawing on standard interview practices for senior technical and management roles in large engineering firms. The emphasis is on preparing a portfolio that showcases operational management of engineering processes and project delivery.

Application Requirements

Candidates should have a degree in electrical or power systems engineering and experience in managing complex, multi-discipline projects. Working experience with the National Grid and strong client relationship management skills are advantageous.