Lead Design Engineer

Job Description

Lead Design Engineer

Salary: Circa £70,000 + Car Allowance
Permanent, Full time, 37.5 hours per week
Base Location: Osprey House, Huntingdon (Hybrid working)

At Alpheus, we deliver innovative water and wastewater treatment solutions for industrial clients. Our engineering projects are critical to their environmental sustainability and operational excellence, and we’re looking for a highly skilled Lead Design Engineer to drive the design and development of complex treatment systems.

In this role, you’ll take full ownership of engineering design packages—from concept and feasibility through to detailed design and commissioning. You’ll work closely with Project Managers, Process Engineers, Commercial and Operational teams to ensure successful delivery of capital projects, while also supporting technical proposals and tender submissions. Your expertise will help us create efficient, cost-effective, compliant and winning solutions that meet client requirements and industry standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of all design aspects for capital engineering projects (water & wastewater treatment schemes up to £5M+).

• Produce feasibility and design deliverables across all project stages: tendering, feasibility, concept design, detailed design, and implementation. Prepare:

• Feasibility and concept design reports.

• Process design (calculations, PFDs, P&IDs, control philosophy, equipment specs) leading to commercial Process Guarantees.

• Plant layouts (plans, sections, general arrangements).

• Civil and MEICA design requirements and specifications.

• Conduct high-level appraisal and optioneering at tender/feasibility stage to create innovative, efficient solutions.

• Develop design briefs, specifications, and scopes for specialist technologies, equipment suppliers, and installation works.

• Review and validate third-party design submissions (process partners, suppliers, subcontractors) for compliance and optimization.

• Take ownership of all designs ensuring:

• Robustness, cost-effectiveness, and compliance with client requirements, standards, and CDM regulations.

• Process Guarantee considerations and design liability recommendations.

• Develop commissioning plans with project managers/engineers.

• Execute and participate in commissioning activities, ensuring plant functionality and resolving issues.

• Develop technical proposals and tenders within deadlines, including: Supply chain engagement, cost buildup, commercial considerations, and technical solution development.

• Represent company at tender evaluations and customer meetings

• Promote proposal benefits and features and collaborate with customer engineering teams to build credibility and strong relationships.

• Stay ahead of industry developments and integrate innovative technologies into design solutions.

• Champion health, safety, and wellbeing throughout all project phases.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Process, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering.

• Expert knowledge and extensive experience in designing complex water and wastewater treatment systems.

• Chartered status.

• Qualified to IOSH standard in Process Safety design, application and management

• Qualified to CDM Regulations (as Designer)

• Strong understanding of civil and MEICA engineering disciplines.

• Proven track record of delivering design packages for major projects.

• Skilled in process design, including PFDs, P&IDs, and equipment selection.

• Good Autocad knowledge and experience.

• Excellent communication, organisational, and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel.

What’s in it for you?

• Personal private health care

• 26 days leave rising with service + Bank Holidays, with the option to swap Christmas and Easter holidays for those celebrated by your religion

• Life Cover at 8x your salary

• Personal Accident cover – up to 5x your salary

• Flexible working

• Car Allowance

• Competitive pension scheme – Anglian Water double-matches your contributions up to 6%

• Bonus scheme

• Flexible benefits to support your wellbeing and lifestyle.

Why Alpheus?
We’re part of the Anglian Water Group, delivering sustainable water solutions that make a real difference. If you’re passionate about engineering excellence and want to help shape the future of water treatment, we’d love to hear from you.