SYSTRA
Design Manager

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About SYSTRA
Around the world, SYSTRA’s specialists plan, design, integrate, test, commission, project manage, and deliver mass transit and mobility solutions that are relied on by more than 50 million people every day.
For more than 60 years, the Group has been committed to helping cities and regions contribute to their development by creating, improving, and modernising their transport infrastructure with sustainability, accessibility, and innovation at the heart of our designs. With over 10,300 colleagues globally and around 1000 in the UK & Ireland, we are growing significantly and seeking out the very best talent to join the SYSTRA signature team and be part of leading the way in infrastructure design.
Context
We currently have an opportunity for an experienced Design Manager to join our growing engineering team. This position within our civil engineering team will suit a committed and ambitious engineer who can demonstrate strong leadership and interpersonal skills combined with commercial awareness and the ability to play their part in growing a dynamic high-performance team.
With a focus on the design of High Speed rail infrastructure, the post-holder will also support other Product Lines in the UK and overseas. The post-holder will be part of a growing team of UK engineers delivering projects for a diverse portfolio of UK clients.
The Design Manager will be accountable for the design delivery of allocated civil engineering work packages, ensuring:
- Establishment and implementation of the Project Plan for allocated work packages
- Establishment and maintenance of forecasts, cost, and revenue budgets
- Management and documentation of all fee, programme, and scope changes
- Delivery of all the specified project outcomes on time, within budget, and to the client’s specifications
- Co-ordination between design and construction teams to ensure timely flow of design information
- Good relationships are maintained with all external parties to enhance the reputation of the company
- Project requirements are fully met
Missions/Main Duties
Working in collaboration with our designers and contract partners, the Design Manager will be involved in a variety of tasks such as:
- Implement systems and procedures to maintain a cost-effective, high-quality, safe, and environmentally responsible approach to design, construction, commissioning, and other activities on relevant projects, compliant with all relevant legislation.
- Monitor the progress of design development against programme and budgets
- Develop and maintain resource allocation plans against allocated projects
- Liaise with other Design Managers to balance resources across the portfolio
- Apply project controls and procedures to allocated projects
- Apply relevant techniques and procedures of quantified and qualitative risk assessment and HAZOP analysis to all projects and check whether the environmental aspects of all projects are managed in accordance with Environmental Policy.
- Liaise with construction and procurement teams to ensure design timescales satisfy overall delivery objectives.
- Support the Bid Manager with all aspects of Tender Preparation.
- Support the construction teams at all stages of the construction process
- Development and review of ‘design management’ documentation and ensuring its correct use and application
- Preparation of monthly progress reports and chairing design progress meetings
- Support Stakeholder Management teams
- Implement effective, value for money, and innovative design delivery solutions to meet project requirements
- Progress projects through preliminary and detailed design with emphasis on client requirements, value for money, and innovation
- Liaise with clients and ensure their requirements are effectively communicated to the team
- Liaise with and co-ordinate UK and overseas multi-disciplinary design teams
- Ensure compliance with relevant health, safety, and environmental legislation, particularly the CDM Regulations
- Supervise team members including all APM’s, Graduates, and Apprentices.
- Assist with contract preparation together with project planning and programming
- Project administration including monitoring programme delivery, resources, and budgets
- Effective management of and response to project related correspondence
- Support procurement in the appointment of contractors as and when required
- Checks to ensure compliance with the Integrated Management System and assist in its development
- Implement effective, value for money, and innovative design solutions to meet technical and project requirements
- Ensure project requirements are effectively communicated to the team
- Project administration reporting to the Project Manager including monitoring programme delivery, resources, and budgets
- Effective management of and response to project related correspondence
- Assist and support the Engineering Manager where required
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
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Profile/Skills
- Degree qualified within a relevant discipline
- Experience of managing the coordination of multidisciplinary teams on major infrastructure projects
- Experience managing design delivery programme and to budget
- Broad Design Engineering experience gained on infrastructure projects
- Good understanding of CDM regulations
- NEC3 contract experience
- Excellent communications skills
- Working experience with ProjectWise and Bentley Systems
- Professional Institution membership
Why SYSTRA?
Our three core values: Excellence, Connected Teams, and Bold Leadership are kept at the heart of everything we do. We strive for the highest levels of technical excellence, achieving the best results through teamwork, both locally and internationally, and reward innovative thinking through encouraging all colleagues to think as leaders. We offer clear and well-supported pathways for career development and qualification attainment, a competitive remuneration package including a bonus and private healthcare, an electric car scheme, and a broad suite of flexible benefits to suit your lifestyle.


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Flexibility
Because we value who you are as much as what you do, we want you to feel supported at work. We offer hybrid working, balancing the benefits of working from home with time in our modern, well-equipped offices for that crucial in-person contact, team development, and collaborative working. We also recognize that life doesn’t always run to the same schedule for everyone, so we have a dedicated flexible working policy to support you in tailoring your work life to reach your full potential. For more details on this, please get in touch.
Diversity & Inclusion
We provide a warm welcome and encourage applications from a diverse range of people who can enrich our company and offer perspectives which will drive better solutions in a truly inclusive environment. Our employee-led working groups and clearly defined strategy help us to keep at the leading edge of important issues and keep us accountable. We want our colleagues to feel comfortable to bring their whole selves to work and continually seek new ideas and contributions to ensure we continue to grow and develop in this space.
Wellbeing
It’s no surprise that people do their best work when they feel physically and mentally supported. Our SYSTRA Wellness Programme offers a wide range of support; from Wellness champions, to free health checks, healthy eating workshops, and regular seminars, alongside access to a wide range of external support. We offer two paid days for charity work and an ever-growing social calendar.
Apply and find out more about how Systra can support you in your career journey. If you require any adjustments or financial assistance to support you in your application or interview process, please email: reasonableadjustments@systra.com, where your request will be treated confidentially and with respect. We pledge to offer an interview to any candidates with a disability who apply for a role and meet the minimum criteria.
As we are always looking to expand our team, we would still be interested in hearing from you if you fulfil most, but not all, of the relevant criteria for the role – you could still be just what we are looking for.
Workplace Type
Hybrid
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