Principal Designer – Rail

Company: SYSTRA UK & Ireland
Apply for the Principal Designer – Rail
Location: Manchester
Job Description:

SYSTRA is one of the world’s leading engineering and consulting groups, specialising in infrastructure and mobility solutions. In the UK & Ireland, SYSTRA has been creating, improving and modernising infrastructure for more than 50 years.

SYSTRA works in partnership with clients to deliver outstanding infrastructure solutions. We solve challenges with our multi-disciplinary expertise in design, consultancy, project management, engineering and construction supervision – supporting the delivery of major infrastructure projects across the transport, energy, environmental and built-environment sectors. Our work creates inspirational places and systems that connect people seamlessly, enhance well-being, stimulate economies, and provide a sustainable legacy for future generations.

Missions/Main Duties

  • Work with SYSTRA and client projects to ensure compliance with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 throughout the pre-construction phase, delivering the Principal Designer duties (Regulation 11).
  • Oversee and support the design team to ensure the design work in the pre-construction phase contributes to the delivery of positive health and safety outcomes.
  • Liaise with key duty holders including the client, designers, principal contractor, as well as other parties, to ensure CDM requirements are met.
  • Regularly report to the client on project developments and issues related to CDM 2015 compliance.
  • Attend and provide input to client projects or Systra forums as required, promoting Design Risk Management best practices.
  • Implement and maintain hazard management assurance processes to ensure the highest standards of CDM compliance.
  • Undertake regular monitoring and inspection of company projects from a CDM perspective to report on levels of compliance, identify lessons learned, and highlight opportunities for improvement.
  • Provide input to SYSTRA focus groups where requested, including the Technical Board or Safe by Design Group.
  • Promote effective design risk management throughout the company as well as client projects.
  • Facilitate hazard identification, hazard review, constructability reviews, and other design focussed workshops.
  • Assist the company with business development and continual improvement through collaboration with other disciplines to enhance SYSTRA’s service delivery and processes.
  • Provide guidance and management on issues involving CDM and general construction activities, as well as other regulatory requirements relating to SYSTRA’s portfolio of works.

Profile/Skills

  • Highly knowledgeable and experienced in the successful application and management of CDM 2015, especially in duties relating to the Principal Designer role within a multi-disciplinary railway major project environment.
  • Significant experience in the railway industry working at a similar level (Principal Designer/ Senior Designer/ Lead Engineer).
  • Chartered member of a relevant professional institution (e.g. IOSH, ICE, APS).
  • Holder of a NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent) and/or Design Certification.
  • Strong experience and knowledge of engineering design and construction principles and standards (rail industry experience advantageous).
  • Good knowledge of engineering design standards for the UK Rail Network and for British and European Standards.
  • Highly skilled in risk assessment and design risk management processes and techniques.
  • Effective communicator, capable of chairing and controlling multi-disciplinary meetings.
  • Able to manage and plan workload effectively.
  • Able to foster high levels of cooperation and coordination between project teams and individual members.
  • Able to perform effectively on both complex multi-disciplinary and simpler projects while working alongside design teams.
  • Experienced in auditing projects and processes.
  • Solid understanding of the General Principals of Prevention and their application and promotion throughout the design phase.

Seniority level

  • Mid-Senior level

Employment type

  • Full-time

Job function

  • Engineering and Design

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Posted: November 9th, 2025