Principal Design Manager – Rivers & Coastal

AtkinsRéalis

Principal Design Manager for Rivers & Coastal Engineering at AtkinsRéalis, leading diverse projects in the Water market with a focus on innovative solutions.

Posted 5/28/2026full-timeEpsom • 🇬🇧 United KingdomLeadWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Coordinate or manage a team of engineers and scientists for delivery of technical design work on complex multi-disciplinary projects following relevant national and project specific design codes and standards, and to high-quality levels in areas such as coastal infrastructure, flood defences, culverts and hydraulic structures
Responsible for producing and reviewing technical deliverables such as design reports, drawings, calculations, and scopes of work with defined scope
Provide technical input into project design deliverables for coastal infrastructure, river engineering and flood defence aspects of complex multi-disciplinary projects and work with the project management team to successfully manage time and budgets to key project milestones and programmes
Collaborate with client, operational, project, or service activities within your immediate team and other related AtkinsRéalis teams
Provide mentorship to less experienced colleagues and help to grow the River and Coastal Engineering capabilities within the local team
Work independently with minimal technical guidance
Exercise personal judgement to solve difficult problems where appropriate and provide guidance to junior team members
Provide technical support for bid proposals
Work closely with a multi-disciplinary team in the UK and overseas to deliver integrated design solutions
Adhere to quality assurance standards in design including check and review of own work as well as others

Requirements

What you’ll need

A degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent
Chartered or Incorporated Civil Engineer
Proven experience in leading design delivery, including multidisciplinary design and Design & Build
Requires knowledge and practical experience of coastal infrastructure, flood walls and embankments, weirs, hydraulic structures, culverts, scour protection, access and accessibility, and construction logistics
Proficiency in delivering both traditional engineering and environmentally focused solutions using nature-based strategies
Practical knowledge of current design codes and standards as well as industry best practices, including CDM Regulations
Experience in the Water market is essential and experience in wider markets such as Aviation, Defence, Highways or Energy is desirable
Demonstrates strong communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts clearly and effectively within diverse multi-disciplinary teams
Sound commercial, contractual and programme experience
A proactive, highly motivated mindset with a collaborative approach to drive teamwork and shared success across projects

Benefits

Comp & perks

Enjoy competitive salaries
Employee rewards
A brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices
Opportunities for training and professional development
Hybrid working culture
Flexible holiday allowances

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Civil EngineeringDesign deliveryCoastal infrastructureFlood defencesHydraulic structuresDesign codesNature-based strategiesCDM RegulationsMultidisciplinary designDesign & Build

Soft Skills

LeadershipCommunicationMentorshipProblem-solvingCollaborationProactive mindsetMotivationTeamworkJudgementCommercial awareness

Certifications

Chartered Civil EngineerIncorporated Civil Engineer