Design Manager CRE

Design Manager / CRE (Contractor's Responsible Engineer)

Access for All Rail Projects

Contract – INSIDE IR35

Location: North West

Are you an experienced Design Manager or CRE looking to play a key role in delivering major Access for All (AfA) station enhancement projects across the UK rail network?

We are seeking a highly capable Design Manager / CRE with strong rail infrastructure experience and a proven track record delivering station accessibility schemes. Experience as an Appointed Person (AP) for lifting operations and the development/review of lifting plans is highly desirable. Relevant experience with Access for All projects and CRE responsibilities has been identified within internal rail project documentation and candidate profiles.

The Role

Working across multiple Access for All schemes, you will be responsible for leading design assurance, engineering compliance, constructability reviews and stakeholder coordination from early development through to handback.

You will act as the engineering focal point between design teams, contractors, Network Rail and project stakeholders, ensuring safe, compliant and efficient delivery of station accessibility improvements.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake Design Manager and/or CRE duties in accordance with Network Rail standards.
• Lead multidisciplinary design reviews and engineering assurance activities.
• Manage design interfaces between civils, structural, M&E, architectural and rail disciplines.
• Review and approve design submissions, technical queries and engineering change.
• Ensure compliance with Network Rail governance, standards and project requirements.
• Attend IDC, IDR and constructability reviews.
• Liaise with contractors, designers, clients and project teams.
• Support temporary works and construction methodology reviews.
• Review and approve Work Package Plans (WPPs), Task Briefing Sheets (TBSs) and construction documentation.
• Provide engineering leadership throughout delivery, testing, commissioning and handback.
• Support possession planning and construction coordination.
• Review lifting operations and lifting plans where applicable.
• Act as Appointed Person (AP) or provide technical oversight of lifting activities where suitably qualified. Internal rail project documentation references AP responsibilities and lifting plan management as part of construction and CRE roles.

Essential Requirements

• Extensive rail infrastructure experience.
• Previous Design Manager and/or CRE experience.
• Strong understanding of Network Rail standards and governance.
• Experience delivering station enhancement or Access for All projects.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary design teams.
• Ability to interface with clients, design consultants and construction teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience attending IDC and IDR reviews.
• Knowledge of constructability, temporary works and engineering assurance processes.

Desirable Requirements

• Current CRE nomination or previous CRE appointment.
• Appointed Person (Lifting Operations) qualification.
• Experience developing, reviewing or authorising lifting plans.
• Temporary Works Coordinator qualification.
• CEng, IEng or equivalent professional membership.
• Experience delivering platform extensions, footbridges, lifts, station refurbishments and accessibility enhancements.

What's On Offer

• Opportunity to work on a portfolio of high-profile Access for All schemes nationwide.
• Long-term project pipeline.
• Competitive day rate.
• Flexible engagement options.
• Career progression within a growing rail infrastructure team.

To apply, please send your CV detailing your Design Management, CRE, Access for All and lifting operations experience.