Associate/Associate Director - Airport Civil Engineer

slihrms; Epsom; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Office/site based 3 days/week

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis is seeking an Associate/Associate Director Civil Airport Engineer to join our Aviation team. The role leads complex UK and international airport projects, shaping strategy, delivering airfield and terminal developments, and building long-term client relationships.

You will influence major investment programs, manage multidisciplinary teams, and drive growth while maintaining technical excellence and stakeholder engagement across Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and beyond.

Qualifications

• Senior leader accountable for technical excellence, client leadership and commercial performance.
• Ability to lead complex UK and international airport civil engineering projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership on UK and international airport civil projects, acting as Project Director or Technical Lead as appropriate.
• Lead development and delivery of airfield infrastructure projects, pavement designs, materials specifications and maintenance plans.
• Chair senior design reviews, client workshops and stakeholder meetings.
• Contribute to work-winning, bids and market strategy; mentor and develop staff.
• Engage with the global aviation network to share knowledge and best practice.

Skills

Technical leadership

Project delivery

Client development

Business growth

Airfield civil engineering

Job description

Job Description

Overview

Apply Your Expertise to Shape the Future of our cities and environments.At AtkinsRéalis, our Design & Advanced Technology practice brings together some of the UK's most diverse engineering and design expertise to tackle the most complex challenges facing our clients and communities.We are seeking an Associate or Associate Director Civil Airport Engineer to join our growing Aviation team. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced airport engineering professional to play a key leadership role within the business, combining technical excellence with strategic direction, client leadership, and business growth. Operating across major UK airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester, as well as an expanding portfolio of international commissions, you will help shape the future of aviation infrastructure while contributing to the growth of one of the industry's leading airport engineering practices.You will join a business founded on deep technical expertise, operational understanding and a collaborative, solutions-focused culture. We are well established across the UK's major airports and continue to expand our international presence across Europe, the Middle East and beyond.You will lead the planning, design and delivery of complex airport infrastructure projects, including airfield, landside and terminal-related developments, helping clients enhance operational performance, increase capacity, improve resilience and achieve their sustainability objectives. As a senior leader, you will play a key role in shaping our airfield civil engineering capability, leading major commissions, strengthening client relationships, and supporting the long-term development of our people, services and technical excellence.This is an outstanding opportunity for a highly experienced engineer with a strong industry profile and proven leadership capability. Whether your strengths lie in technical leadership, project delivery, client development or business growth, the role offers significant scope to influence major investment programmes, shape strategic outcomes for clients, and contribute to the continued success of our aviation business.

You’ll benefit from:

• Influencing nationally significant airport infrastructure projects across the UK and internationally.
• Working on a diverse portfolio of airfield, terminal and landside developments at major airports including Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester.
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary aviation specialists across the UK and globally.
• Shaping project outcomes and client strategies from master planning and feasibility through to delivery.
• Opportunities to lead major commissions, strengthen client relationships and contribute to business growth.
• A culture that promotes innovation, technical excellence and professional development.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements that support work-life balance.
• Clear career progression pathways and professional development opportunities.

We offer hybrid working which involves 3 days per week being office/site based. This position can be based from our offices of London Nova, Epsom, or Manchester.

Your role

At Associate Director level, you will have accountability for technical excellence, client leadership, and commercial performance, alongside line management and mentorship responsibilities.Providing strategic leadership on complex UK and international airport civil engineering projects, acting as Project Director or Technical Lead as appropriate.Acting as a trusted advisor to airport operators, regulators, and stakeholders, building long‑term client relationships and repeat business.Leading the development and delivery of airfield infrastructure projects, including pavement designs, materials specifications, maintenance plans, and condition assessments, translating complex technical data into practical, deliverable engineering solutions.Overseeing demand forecasting, capacity assessment, and data‑driven decision‑making, ensuring robust, defendable outputs.Taking overall responsibility for the quality, consistency, and timely delivery of technical reports, presentations, and client‑facing outputs.Chairing and leading senior design reviews, client workshops, and stakeholder meetings.Playing a central role in work winning and business development, including shaping opportunity pipelines, leading bids and tenders, and supporting market strategy.Contributing to the growth and direction of the airfield civil engineering discipline, including development of tools, guidance, training material, and innovation initiatives.Providing line management, mentorship, and career development support to senior and junior team members, building a strong succession pipeline.Actively engaging with and contributing to the global aviation and infrastructure network, sharing knowledge and best practice across regions.

About you

We're seeking technically strong, commercially aware engineers who enjoy collabora