Design Manager

The Design Manager is responsible for managing, coordinating, and controlling the complete engineering and design scope of a Water Treatment Plant project within a PMC organization. The role acts as the central interface between two main design parties (OEM and Building designer) and ensures full alignment across all engineering disciplines (civil, mechanical, piping, electrical, automation, HVAC, FF...), project requirements, regulatory obligations, and execution strategies.
The Design Manager ensures design quality, schedule compliance, technical integration, and constructability throughout the project lifecycle, from concept and basic design through detailed engineering and support during construction.
Key Responsibilities
Design Coordination & Integration
Act as the single point of coordination between the two main design organizations and all engineering disciplines.
Ensure full technical alignment and interface management between disciplines including: Civil & Structural, Mechanical, Piping, Electrical, Instrumentation & Automation, HVAC, Process & Water Treatment, Safety / HSE / Fire Protection
Manage multidisciplinary design reviews, interface registers, and design alignment workshops.



Design Management & Control
Review, challenge, and approve design deliverables to ensure:
Compliance with project requirements, technical specifications, and contracts
Compliance with local regulations, permits, and standards
Alignment with constructability, operability, and maintainability principles
Monitor design progress against schedule, identify risks, and implement corrective actions.
Coordinate design change management, deviation requests, and technical queries (TQ/RFI).



Technical Governance
Ensure that design supports and complies with:
Environmental permits and regulatory constraints
Safety studies (HAZID, HAZOP, SIL, QRA, fire load assessments, etc.)
BIM / 3D model integration (if applicable)
Support resolution of technical conflicts between disciplines or design parties.
Ensure design consistency across all project phases.



Interface with Project & Construction Teams
Act as the engineering focal point towards: Project Management, Construction Management, Procurement, Commissioning teams
Ensure timely delivery of design inputs for procurement and construction.
Provide design support during construction, including handling site queries and design clarifications.

Documentation & Reporting
Maintain control of engineering documentation, including:
Design deliverable lists
Interface registers
Design review logs
Action and decision registers
Prepare engineering status reports for the PMC and Client.

Required Qualifications & Experience
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, Electrical, or equivalent).
Minimum 10–15 years of experience in large industrial or infrastructure projects.
Proven experience as Design Manager or Lead Engineer on Water Treatment Plants, industrial utilities, or similar facilities.
Strong background in multidisciplinary design coordination, preferably within a PMC or Owner’s Engineer role.
Experience working with multiple design contractors or EPC entities simultaneously.

Technical Skills
Strong understanding of water treatment processes and associated systems.
Solid knowledge of international standards and codes (ISO, EN, IEC, ASME, etc.).
Familiarity with design tools, 3D model review, and document control systems.
Experience with safety and regulatory design processes.

Soft Skills & Competencies
Excellent coordination and communication skills.
Strong leadership without direct disciplinary authority.
Ability to challenge design solutions constructively and diplomatically.
Structured, detail-oriented, and proactive problem solver.
Comfortable working in an international, multicultural project environment.