Job Description

Location: Chippenham (Hybrid)

Salary: £80,000 – £90,000 per annum

Sector: High-Tech Design & Build | Defence, MOD & Nuclear

Job Type: Permanent, Full-time

Technical Design Manager

The client is a leading design & build contractor operating across the data, defence, and energy sectors. They deliver end-to-end solutions, from site acquisition and architecture through to construction, refurbishment, and final client handover. Their projects are complex, high-spec environments that demand specialist expertise, technical excellence, and innovative thinking.

This is a key opportunity for a Technical Design Manager to act as the technical authority across complex, regulated projects — ensuring all designs are robust, compliant, and deliverable.

The Opportunity

Working closely with the Technical Director, you’ll take ownership of the technical integrity and assurance of design, supporting projects from concept through to handover.

Rather than leading overall design delivery, your focus will be on ensuring designs are technically correct, compliant, and optimised, while supporting project teams with expert guidance.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the technical authority across projects, ensuring designs are compliant, coordinated, and technically robust
• Review and challenge internal and external design outputs to ensure accuracy, buildability, and best practice
• Ensure compliance with Building Regulations, CDM, and relevant statutory requirements
• Oversee technical detailing, specifications, calculations, and engineering solutions (with strong M&E focus)
• Identify and manage technical risks, driving solutions and improvements
• Support pre-construction activities including technical reviews, value engineering, and tender input
• Work closely with design managers, consultants, and subcontractors to ensure technical alignment
• Provide technical support to site teams, resolving design queries during construction and commissioning
• Contribute to quality assurance processes and ensure design standards are consistently met

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience in a Technical Design Manager, Design Engineer, or similar technical role
• Strong background in building services / MEP design and technical coordination
• Deep understanding of UK Building Regulations, CDM, and compliance requirements
• Experience reviewing detailed design information, specifications, and technical submissions
• Ability to challenge designs and drive technically sound solutions
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Experience within defence, nuclear, data centres or other regulated sectors highly desirable

Benefits

• Salary: £80,000 – £90,000 per annum
• Car allowance (where applicable)
• Competitive pension scheme
• Electric vehicle scheme
• Private healthcare and cash plan
• Eyecare vouchers
• Cycle to work scheme
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays + birthday leave

Why Apply?

• Take on a true technical leadership role without full delivery pressure
• Work on complex, high-spec and regulated projects
• Be the go-to expert influencing design quality and engineering standards
• Hybrid working offering flexibility and balance
• Strong long-term career progression within a specialist contractor