At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

The UK water sector is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades. The Independent Water Commission’s review, coupled with unprecedented investment, offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape water and wastewater infrastructure.

We’re proud to be driving this change, partnering with leading UK water companies to deliver integrated solutions across the full project lifecycle—from planning and design to construction and operations.

We are seeking Design Directors for high-profile, client-facing leadership roles supporting key clients including United Utilities, Northumbrian Water, Thames Water, Severn Trent, and Anglian Water. These positions may involve direct collaboration with contractors and require guiding multidisciplinary teams, fostering innovation, and ensuring excellence from feasibility through commissioning. You will lead our teams across the UK delivering detailed design and Design & Build projects within the water and wastewater sector.

Key aspects of our role:

• Lead Technical Delivery: Oversee design, construction, and commissioning with a focus on quality, constructability, and safety by design.
• Enable Collaboration: Build strong relationships across design, construction, and client teams, encouraging knowledge sharing, innovation, and integrated delivery.
• Champion Safety & Inclusion: Foster a culture where wellbeing, safety, and belonging are central.
• Support Strategic Growth: Be an approachable, visible leader who develops high-performing teams and strengthens client partnerships.
• Grow Future Talent: Mentor colleagues across disciplines, encourage continuous improvement, and create a supportive, psychologically safe environment.

Key responsibilities:

• Serve as the technical authority, ensuring compliance with standards and UK CDM regulations.
• Lead value engineering, buildability reviews, and design optimisation.
• Manage stakeholder engagement and contribute to framework leadership.
• Oversee design management, scheduling, risk, change control, and financial performance.
• Drive innovation, including standardisation and design automation.
• Mentor design managers and engineers.
• Embed constructability and commissioning into design approaches.
• Strengthen client relationships and support business development.
• Work with Project Managers to deliver quality and performance plans.

We would be delighted to hear from and speak to candidates with a progressive mix of the following:

• Chartered Engineer with proven project experience in the water and wastewater sector.
• Leadership experience in design and project management for major infrastructure programmes.
• Experience integrating multidisciplinary engineering and construction.
• Working knowledge of NEC3/4 contracts.
• A collaborative mindset, with enthusiasm for problem solving, innovation, and team development.
• Confidence operating autonomously across complex projects.
• Clear, inclusive communication skills suited to diverse stakeholders

Areas of expertise:

• Design management (feasibility to detailed design and construction)
• Technical leadership and mentoring
• Collaborative planning and delivery
• Risk and change management
• Project management (including financial and commercial awareness)
• Health, safety, and environmental leadership
• Quality assurance and standards
• Stakeholder engagement and client relationships

We offer:

• Competitive salary: We offer compensation that reflects your skills and experience
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Benefit from hybrid & part-time working options (starting from 24 hours/week). Full time roles available as well!
• Robust Pension Contributions: We offer enhanced pension contributions up to 10% to secure your future
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Single medical cover and Digital GP service, with options to add your partner and family
• Family Planning Support: Access to fertility healthcare and family planning services
• Enhanced Parental Leave: Enjoy enhanced parental leave pay and free membership to employee assistance and parental programs
• Life assurance at 4x your salary
• Wellbeing Hub: Free access to wellbeing apps like Calm and Daily Burn
• Professional Development: We cover professional membership fees and provide continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities
• Community Engagement: Participate in charity matched-funding, paid volunteering time, and charitable donations

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.