Design & Development Engineer

Design & Development Engineer (Project Development Engineer)

Location: Bristol, Warwick or Warrington

Salary £48,893 – £60,000 + Company Car + Annual bonus up to 6%

About the role

Do you enjoy combining technical thinking, stakeholder collaboration, and problem-solving to influence major investment decisions?

We’re looking for a Design & Development Engineer to join our West region team at a pivotal time. With a major programme running through to FY29, this role will play a key role in defining and shaping early-stage CAPEX projects across our mechanical and civil plant portfolio.

This is a development-focused role with real progression, you’ll begin by driving early-stage project definition and optioneering, before evolving into a Design Coordination position, giving you exposure across the full project lifecycle.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Early-Stage Project Development
• Develop clear, evidence-based project scopes that define need, feasibility and outcomes
• Carry out site surveys and analyse asset condition data to validate project drivers
• Lead optioneering and feasibility activities to identify safe, value-led solutions
• Work with estimation teams to produce costs, risks, assumptions, and programme impacts
• Coordinate technical inputs across engineering, operations, and commercial teams
• Incorporate supplier feedback and constructability considerations into early design
• Design & Delivery Coordination (As Projects Progress)
• Act as a Development Stage Design Coordinator
• Manage and coordinate designers and technical outputs
• Respond to Technical Queries (TQs) and ensure alignment across disciplines
• Lead design meetings and maintain accurate documentation and decision records
• Support smooth transition from development into detailed design and delivery

About you

You’re an engineer who enjoys turning complex technical information into clear, actionable outcomes. You’re curious, analytical, and proactive—with strong communication skills and the ability to work across multiple stakeholders. 

This role would suit someone who:

• Comes from a design or engineering background and wants broader project exposure 
• Enjoys working at the front end of projects, shaping decisions early,
• Is comfortable balancing technical detail with stakeholder engagement
• Wants to grow into a design coordination role over time

Key Skills & Experience
 
Technical Knowledge:

• Understanding of engineering principles within infrastructure, utilities, or asset-based environments
• Knowledge of design standards, technical fundamentals, and CDM principles
• Ability to interpret survey data, condition reports, and feasibility studies

 
Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management
• Well-organised with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and site activities
• Ability to produce structured technical documentation (scope, risks, costs, assumptions)
• Strong collaboration across multidisciplinary teams

 
Experience:

• Experience within utilities, infrastructure, or operational engineering environments
• Involvement in feasibility studies, surveys, optioneering, or early-stage project work
• Working with engineering data and collaborating across multiple stakeholders

 
Qualifications:

• Engineering degree or equivalent experience
• Mechanical preferred, though other disciplines considered
• Full UK driving licence (site travel required)

Why Join Us?

• Work on a high-impact programme shaping investment through to FY29
• Gain exposure across the full project lifecycle, from concept to delivery
• Be part of a growing, collaborative and forward-thinking engineering team
• Flexible working across the West region

What we can offer

• Company car (based on 10,000 annual business miles)
• Bonus up to 6% of salary
• 26 days holiday + bank holidays (with option to buy more)
• Double-match pension (up to 12% employer contribution)
• Flexible benefits (private healthcare, dental, tech schemes, travel insurance)
• 10x salary life assurance
• Long-term illness and income protection
• Enhanced family leave policies
• Ongoing professional development and career progression
• Employee assistance programme (24/7 support)
• Professional membership support

Inclusive recruitment

We’re committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and will support any reasonable adjustments throughout the process.
 
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