Design Manager

    Overview

  • Location:
    London, United Kingdom

  • Contact type:
    Permanent

  • Job category:
    Projectwide Services

  • Salary:
    Competitive with excellent benefits package

  • Closing date:
    01.02.2026

  • Job reference:
    scsrail/TP/68/3699

Job introduction

Reporting to the SCS Head of Design, you will be responsible for the delivery of the permanent works detailed reinforcement design for HS2 Lot S1 or Lot S2, ensuring that the design is delivered to an acceptable standard of quality in-line with commercial and programme expectations.

The detailed reinforcement design is being completed by a mix of design consultancies employed via NEC3 contracts, with part of the design being completed by SCS’s main design consultant and the remainder through smaller specific detailing contracts. You will be the subcontract manager for all reinforcement detailed design, responsible for the overall management of the consultants.

Working with the wider design management team and the SCS design partners, you will forecast and plan the delivery of the reinforcement detailing scope. You will manage day-to-day interactions between the the designers, SCS and other stakeholders. You will ensure the detailed reinforcement design deliverables meet the correct quality, contract, safety, time and cost requirements. 


Flexible working: We welcome you to ask about the flexibility you need. This might be part-time, remote working, or compressed hours for example. Anyone who applies for a role can ask about flexibility at interview. In return, we will explore what is possible for the role.

Role responsibility

  • Define, review and control the Detailed Reinforcement Design scope.
  • Reviewing programme submissions and ensure the timely input into the wider design process
  • Tracking and reviewing detailing packages
  • Coordinating the review of deliverables
  • Work with the assigned Commercial Manager to ensure the performance of the consultants is acceptable
  • Assisting the Head of Design in the review of design resources and outputs
  • Ensure that relevant design management plans and assurance plans are adhered to, within area of responsibility
  • Be familiar with, and demonstrate commitment to the requirements of the Commercial, Technical Assurance, Health & Safety and Environmental Policies  
  • Manage, mentor and develop junior team members and graduate engineers
  • Understand the Client and Joint Venture Partners' Environment and Sustainabilit Policies, Processes and statutory requirements as they affect the company's operations and ensure that the requirements, as applicable within their discipline, are implemented on the project.

The ideal candidate

  • Degree level qualification in Civil Engineering or similar.
  • Holder of a relevant professional qualification (IEng or CEng), or close to obtaining a professional qualification
  • Experience working in a design management capacity for a contractor on a major project is required
  • Strong understanding of Engineering Principles
  • Knowledge and Understanding of construction contract law and forms of contract through experience and formal training
  • Extensive technical knowledge of construction techniques and best practices.
  • Computer competence (MS Word, Excel, Document control system).
  • Relevant CSCS Card
  • Training in Health & Safety and Environmental management

About the Company

The role will work on the HS2 project. HS2 is the UK’s new high speed rail network. It will be a catalyst for economic growth across Britain, freeing up space on the existing railways and connecting 8 out of the UK’s 10 biggest cities with fast, reliable and frequent high speed services

The Skanska | Costain | STRABAG (SCS JV) is delivering the HS2 London Tunnels Contract. Scope of works includes twin-bored tunnels (TBM), SCL tunnels, shaft sinking, bridge demolition and reconstruction, services diversions, earthworks and the construction of site compounds.

You’ll be a welcomed member of the wider team, with opportunities to take on additional responsibility, join our EDI Champions program or support the local community (e.g. as a STEM ambassador).

Your personal and professional development is important to us. We welcome a discussion about how we can support you with further study, or professional membership or attainment for example.

HS2 – working with Skanska, Costain and STRABAG, closely monitors job applications, to ensure an inclusive recruitment process. To ensure we are able to maintain this, and to recruit a diverse workforce, we require candidates to complete the diversity form as part of their application so we are able to monitor and improve our approach to diversity.  Please note, all responses are anonymous and we will not share any of your data with other parties. All data will be held securely, (as stated within the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR) and will be reported to HS2.

It is an SCSJV requirement that all employees, Design House,  and Supply Chains must implement and comply with the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System, ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System with guidance for use”, OHSAS 18001:2017  Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems and ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Information Security Management System, Policies, Plans, Procedures and Processes, and statutory requirements as they affect the Joint Venture ‘s operations and ensure that the requirements, as applicable within their discipline, are effectively implemented on the project. Develop a culture of safety on the project through the absolute commitment to the Zero Accidents target and ethos, and develops a wider awareness of quality, environmental issues and demonstrates commitment to achieve continual improvement and Zero tolerance.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. we do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, or sexual orientation

SCS Railways is a Disability Confident Leader.  We want to encourage disabled people to apply for our roles and have an opportunity to display your skills, talent, and abilities.  We will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview.

Please see the disability confident commitments: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disability-confident-guidance-for-levels-1-2-and-3/level-1-disability-confident-committed

To be considered for an interview under this scheme you have: 

  • A physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long-term effect (over 12 months) adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities
  • Demonstrated in your application and pre-interview stage that you meet the minimum job criteria and person specification for the role

Location

SCS Jv Railways
London
NW1
United Kingdom

Frequently asked questions

  • No. The HS2 London tunnels is a mega project that requires thousands of people to turn the dream into reality, and we’re actively looking for new talent from other industries. We also have a number of initiatives to help vulnerable people into work, including offering employment opportunities to people who are homeless, disabled, returning to work after a career break or leaving the military.

  • We support local businesses, communities and regional economies, working with several major contractors who rely on smaller suppliers to deliver services across HS2 Ltd. Many businesses are local to our sites, meaning we can support our local economy and reduce our environmental impact. 

    Recently, SCS JV was recognised for its role in building a supply chain that reflects the communities in which they operate by winning the HS2 Minority-owned Business Champion award. To date, we’ve awarded contracts totalling £135m to minority owned businesses in their local area and have placed a strong focus on ensuring small firms have every opportunity to thrive by providing access to free training and business development opportunities.

  • We thrive through embracing differences, whether that’s in social background, ethnicity, disability, gender identity or expression, age, religion or sexual orientation. We know that diversity opens a rich potential for new ways of thinking, helping us to build successful and high-performing teams. 

    We hold network groups for Pride, Parents & Carers, Racial and Cultural Engagement (RaCE) and Female Advocates in Infrastructure and Rail (FAIR). Led by employees for employees, these groups provide a safe place to connect with like minded people.

  • Yes, we consider all requests for flexible working, including compressed hours, part-time and remote working. Many of our staff operate on a Flexitime system, which means they can take time off for accumulated overtime.

Hiring Process

  • 1
    Your application is received and shortlisting takes place
  • 2
    If you’re shortlisted, your CV is anonymised and sent to our hiring managers for review
  • 3
    We’ll invite you for interview at one of our sites where you’ll discover more about the role and meet some of our team
  • 4
    If you’re successful, you’ll receive a job offer and contract from the relevant parent company
  • 5
    Subject to vetting and references, your onboarding process begins
  • 6
    Onboarding is complete! Welcome to SCS JV

Design Manager

  • Location:London, United Kingdom
  • Contract type:Permanent
  • Job category:Projectwide Services
  • Salary:Competitive with excellent benefits package
  • Closing date:01.02.2026
  • Job reference:scsrail/TP/68/3699

Apply for this role

Click below to be redirected to our application portal.