We are seeking an experienced and proactive Design Manager (MEP) to lead the delivery of Mechanical, Electrical, Public Health, Fire, and associated MEICA design activities for the HS2 programme. Based at our Elephant & Castle Design Office, you will play a key role in managing multidisciplinary design teams, coordinating stakeholder interfaces, and ensuring the successful delivery of compliant, buildable, and cost-effective engineering solutions across complex rail infrastructure assets.
The role requires strong technical leadership, design assurance capability, and the ability to manage multiple design packages through all project stages from concept development to construction and commissioning. Experience within major rail, infrastructure, or transportation projects is highly desirable.
Key Responsibilities
Design Leadership & Management
- Lead and manage the delivery of MEP/MEICA design packages for HS2 works in accordance with programme requirements.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary design teams including Mechanical, Electrical, Public Health, Fire, Communications, and specialist systems designers.
- Ensure design deliverables are produced to the required quality, programme, and budget.
- Manage design consultants, subcontractors, and supply chain partners to achieve project objectives.
- Act as the principal design interface between engineering, construction, commercial, and client teams.
Design Coordination & Integration
- Oversee design integration across all disciplines to eliminate clashes and ensure coordinated solutions.
- Chair and lead design review meetings, technical workshops, and interface coordination meetings.
- Manage technical queries, RFIs, design changes, and non-conformance resolution.
- Ensure BIM and digital engineering requirements are implemented throughout the design process.
- Drive design standardisation and value engineering opportunities.
Technical Assurance & Compliance
- Ensure designs comply with:
- HS2 Technical Standards
- Network Rail Standards (where applicable)
- CDM Regulations 2015
- Building Regulations
- British and European Standards
- Client specifications and contractual requirements
- Lead design assurance activities including IDC/IDR reviews, constructability assessments, and technical approvals.
- Support safety-by-design and sustainable engineering initiatives.
- Ensure all design risks are identified, managed, and mitigated.
Stakeholder Management
- Develop strong relationships with HS2 representatives, clients, consultants, supply chain partners, and internal stakeholders.
- Provide regular progress reporting on design status, risks, opportunities, and key deliverables.
- Support project leadership in managing programme milestones and client expectations.
- Participate in project governance and design review boards.
Construction & Delivery Support
- Support construction teams during installation, testing, commissioning, and handover phases.
- Review site-based design issues and provide timely engineering solutions.
- Ensure lessons learned are captured and implemented across future design activities.
- Assist in technical submissions, commissioning documentation, and handover records.
Skills, Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Degree qualified in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Building Services Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Minimum 8-10 years' experience in MEP/MEICA design and design management.
- Proven experience delivering major infrastructure, rail, transportation, tunnelling, or station projects.
- Strong understanding ofMEP systems including:
- HVAC
- Power Distribution
- Lighting
- Fire Detection & Suppression
- Public Health Systems
- BMS & Controls
- Lifts and Escalators
- Testing & Commissioning
- Experience managing multidisciplinary design teams and external consultants.
- Excellent understanding of CDM Regulations and design risk management.
- Strong communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience working within BIM-enabled projects.
Desirable
- Previous HS2, Network Rail, Crossrail, TfL, or major infrastructure project experience.
- Chartered Engineer status (CEng) or working towards chartership.
- Membership of a recognised professional institution (IET, CIBSE, IMechE, ICE, etc.).
- NEC contract awareness.
- Experience of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA).