WSP in the UK & Ireland
Design & CAD Lead - Plant & Layout (Energy)
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Design & CAD Lead - Plant & Layout (Energy)
Senior Design Manager (Multidisciplinary CAD & BIM) – Plant Layout & Engineering
Deliver high-impact design capability, shaping the built environment with innovative plant layouts, digital engineering, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
About the Role
At WSP, we empower you to join our global engineering community—leading impactful projects, fostering diverse perspectives, and building a career that reflects your aspirations. In this role, you will:
- Lead a team of CAD technicians and designers to elevate their capabilities, driving plant layout, 2D/3D design coordination, modularisation, and BIM workflows.
- Collaborate across engineering, project, and delivery teams to ensure designs are practical, buildable, and compliant with digital standards.
- Champion sustainability, safety, and constructability in every project.
This is an opportunity to shape your future—balancing leadership with creative problem-solving, preserving the environment through engineering excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Developing Design Capability
- Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team of CAD technicians and designers, fostering growth from drawing production to design ownership.
- Define clear skill development pathways, including recruitment, training, and coaching.
- Establish and maintain CAD/BIM standards and workflows to streamline design processes.
Plant Layout & Design Delivery
- Contribute to the design of plant layouts, spatial coordination, and general arrangements to align with engineering intent.
- Ensure designs prioritise constructability, safety, access, and maintenance (embedded in Safety in Design principles).
- Maintain close alignment with construction and operational teams to deliver feasible and efficient designs.
Modularisation & Buildability
- Champion modular and offsite construction approaches, integrating them seamlessly into projects.
- Collaborate with engineering and delivery teams to enhance buildability, safety, and cash flow outcomes.
- Identify opportunities to reduce project complexity and improve flexibility during execution.
Digital Engineering & BIM
- Define and enforce CAD/BIM technical guidelines, tools, and workflows to ensure high-quality, coordinated deliverables.
- Support the creation and management of accurate 3D design models (Autodesk Plant 3D, Revit, Navisworks, etc.).
- Drive data-driven and digital-first design approaches, leveraging BIM for efficiency, transparency, and sustainability.
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Project Delivery
- Work with programme managers to allocate resources effectively, ensuring timely delivery of design packages.
- Proactively identify and resolve challenges related to workforce capacity, tooling, or workflow bottlenecks.
- Ensure compliance with project quality and deadlines, advocating for design optimisation.
What We’re Looking For
If this role excites you, we want to hear from you—especially if your experience aligns with the technical domains below:
Essential
- Proven experience in CAD, design coordination, or layout roles within engineering, EPC, or consultancy contexts.
- Expertise in plant layout, piped engineering, mechanical design, or related disciplines.
- Hands-on experience with:
- Autodesk CAD platforms (Revit, Plant 3D, Navisworks) or equivalent (AutoCAD MEP, Trimble Connect, or similar).
- BIM methods (Creating, coordinating, or managing digital models).
- Strong understanding of multidisciplinary design coordination and modelling workflows.
- Ability to work with technical teams to ensure alignment between concepts and constructability.
Preferred (Not Mandatory)
- Direct experience with modular construction approaches or constructability assessments.
- Certification in BIM (e.g.,accaSE/BIM Level 2/3 training) or relevant design/chartership pathways.
All applicants are encouraged to apply, regardless of project history. If you believe your skills complement this role, we’d love to meet you.
About WSP
We’re a world-leading engineering consultancy, united by our purpose: creating positive, lasting impacts. With over 69,000 global colleagues, we tackle complex challenges across:
- Infrastructure & renewable energy.
- Urban development & industrial plants.
- Sustainability & smart technology adaptation.
Across the UK and Ireland, we’re a close-knit team of 11,000 engineers, architects, and specialists, dedicated to innovation, integrity, and inclusion.
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Team conventions like NPDA (New Product Development Authority) CODE (Change Opportunity Deployment Engine) sit side-by-side with personal values like ‘Subtle Bravery’ – the courage to challenge assumptions.
Imagine a better world. We’ve got the tools to help.
Why WSP?
Work-Life Balance
- Hybrid flexibility: Work from home two days per week while collaborating internationally.
- WSP My Hour: Take one unplanned hour for personal needs each day (compensated at start/end of day).
- Hybrid holidays: Tailor bank holidays and paid leave to fit your lifestyle.
Inclusivity & Belonging
- Diversity is celebrated: We make space for all our individuals, fostering an environment where Anton, Jackie, Raj, Jessica or anyone else can bring 100% of themselves to work.
- Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): Networks like WSP Women, Allied TRANSEMS, and UpRising Bridge allies promote visibility and collective purpose.
Health & Well-being
- Thrive Program: Comprehensive support for physical and mental wellness.
- Virtual GP: Access NHS/Irish GP consultations 24/7 via our fully subsidised healthcare portal.
- Gymflex: Extended gym membership discounts and comprehensive menopause support initiatives.
Your Growth
- Mentorship & Chartership: Bodies like the Arup or RIBA can align with our learning culture.
- Project assignments: Global or sectoral opportunities for continued challenge.
Here at WSP, diverse minds lead change. If you’re driven by purpose, equality, and social impact, we can’t wait to see what you’ll contribute.
We actively encourage applications from candidates representing sex, race, ability, sexual orientation, religion, age, pregnancy/parenthood.
Positions Committed to Equity
Aspiring applicants with disabilities?** Talk to us!**
As a Disability Confident leader, WSP guarantees an interview for disabled applicants meeting essential criteria. If reasonable adjustments assist your application, let us know how we can support you.
Join WSP
For a world of opportunity—where engineering teams connect globally to effect change—apply now.
Join us, and let’s start building tomorrow together.
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