Project Engineering Manager, Water Sector

Costain Group PLC

Project Engineering Manager overseeing engineering design projects for UK water companies in the Water sector. Leading multi-discipline teams from project lifecycle through delivery in hybrid role based in Manchester.

Posted 6/22/2026full-timeManchester • 🇬🇧 United KingdomMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

To manage the delivery of multi-discipline engineering design on projects through the various stages of the project lifecycle ensuring they are safe-by-design*, sustainable, digitally enabled, cost-effective, compliant, technically sound and meet commercial delivery targets through: *CDM PD/D compliance
Ensuring that Engineering resource requirements are identified and effectively utilised to allow execution of projects in accordance with the project requirements and targeting for maximum productivity and efficiency.
Ensuring all Engineers fully understand the detailed scope, basis of design, budget and programme requirements of the project.
Co-ordination of Engineering and Design interfaces between Costain and other project partners / supply chain partners.
Management of contractual communications, supporting progress meetings, risk reduction meetings, cost reports, coordinating multi-disciplinary design teams and running / closing out contract actions.
Regularly reporting to senior operational management on the performance of the engineering delivery for the project.
Providing a commercial focus with a high level of challenge on project scope and protecting against uncontrolled scope creep.
Ensuring effective deployment and use of company engineering delivery processes on projects including engineering design strategy; master deliverable plan, project schedule, work/cost breakdown structure; process safety management and engineering governance process.
Ensuring that key project and programme risks are identified early, and mitigated where possible, with issues and blockers escalated immediately.
Ensuring all services comply fully with Client & Costain governance processes, standards and obtaining necessary approvals.
Developing productive relationships by communicating with colleagues and subordinates, developing trust and support and building teams.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Significant experience in coordinating multi-discipline teams through the various stages of the project life cycle on major contracts in the Water Sector.
Thorough knowledge of the major project delivery process from work winning to project handover.
Knowledge and understanding of UK technical and regulatory standards and global best practice.
Strong process safety, quality and environmental leadership focus.
Significant knowledge and understanding of Project Controls, including Schedule, Cost, Risk and Change Management.
Experienced customer facing capability with an ability to develop and influence relationships.
Strong interpersonal skills and an effective communicator (written & verbal).
Able to work regularly from the Costain Manchester office (40% office based).
Mobility to travel to Costain/client offices, project sites and suppliers.
Honours Degree or equivalent qualification in an engineering related subject.
Chartered Engineer and Membership of a professional engineering institution is desirable.
Association for Project Management qualification is desirable.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Collaborative, innovative and agile.
Flexibility to discuss where, when and how they work based on individual circumstances.

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Hard Skills & Tools

engineering designproject lifecycle managementproject controlsprocess safety managementcost managementrisk managementchange managementmulti-discipline coordinationbudget managementscheduling

Soft Skills

interpersonal skillscommunication skillsrelationship buildingteam managementleadershipproblem-solvinginfluencingtrust developmentcollaborationcommercial focus

Certifications

Honours Degree in engineeringChartered EngineerMembership of a professional engineering institutionAssociation for Project Management qualification