Associate Director Civil Engineering Aviation

Tetra Tech Europe; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Collaborative environment

Opportunity for professional development

Support for innovation and creativity

Job summary

Tetra Tech Europe in Birmingham is looking for an Associate Director in Civil Engineering to lead complex airside infrastructure projects. This role requires ownership from feasibility to construction support, and you will ensure compliance with relevant standards while managing stakeholder relationships.

Join a client-focused team with a portfolio across regional and defense airports and make a significant impact in airport design and innovation while mentoring the next generation of engineers.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in airfield civil engineering and multidisciplinary project delivery.
• Track record of managing complex projects and building client relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of complex airside infrastructure projects.
• Act as the primary point of contact for airport operators and contractors.
• Ensure compliance with UK 139, ICAO, and EASA standards.

Skills

Strong technical competence in runway and taxiway design

Proficiency in DMG 27 pavement design

Stakeholder management skills

Ability to mentor junior engineers

Education

Chartered or Incorporated Engineer with ICE or equivalent experience

Tools

Civil 3D

BIM workflows

Job description

Associate Director Civil Engineering Aviation

Flexible UK Location

Lead the Future of Airside Infrastructure Design

This is a rare opportunity for a technically accomplished and commercially astute civil engineer to take on a leadership role within Tetra Tech Aviation team. As Associate Director, you will lead the delivery of complex airside infrastructure projects, shape client relationships, and mentor the next generation of engineering talent. If you are passionate about technical excellence, stakeholder engagement, and driving innovation in airport design, this is your chance to make a lasting impact and help position Tetra Tech as a trusted partner in the aviation sector.

Purpose & Scope of the Role

We are seeking an experienced civil engineer with a strong background in airfield design and multidisciplinary project delivery. You will take ownership of projects from feasibility through to construction support, ensuring compliance with UK 139, ICAO, and EASA standards. Acting as the primary point of contact for airport operators and contractors, you will manage design programmes, coordinate inputs across disciplines, and deliver high-quality technical outputs. You will also play a key role in mentoring junior engineers and contributing to business development efforts that support the long‑term growth of the aviation team.

You will be joining a dynamic and client‑focused team with a growing portfolio of work across regional and defence airports, including Leeds Bradford, Alderney, Norwich, Bournemouth, Guernsey, and BAE Warton. With a strong pipeline of opportunities and a collaborative operating model, this role offers significant scope for leadership, influence, and career progression.

Core Capabilities

Technical Expertise & Knowledge

• Strong technical competence in runway and taxiway design, pavement rehabilitation, and drainage integration.
• Proficiency in DMG 27 pavement design and solid understanding of UK 139, ICAO, and EASA regulations.
• Coordinate and review interfaces with AGL and electrical design specialists to ensure alignment with civil works and operational needs.
• Assess hydrological assumptions and drainage system capacity, ensuring all design elements are integrated and operable.
• Resolve unfamiliar technical challenges and deliver outputs that meet rigorous client and peer review standards.

Stakeholder Management & Engagement

• Primary client liaison ensuring clarity, responsiveness, and trust throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead technical discussions, present design concepts, and translate complex engineering into actionable insights for non‑technical stakeholders.
• Align design decisions with operational and commercial objectives at major airports; guide clients through scoping, standards interpretation, and delivery readiness at smaller airports.
• Coordinate survey teams, geomatics specialists, and ground investigation inputs, integrating outputs into coherent design packages.
• Represent the business at conferences and networking events to strengthen relationships and secure future opportunities.

Leadership, Management & Mentoring

• Manage resources across multiple projects, maintain quality standards, and ensure timely delivery.
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians, providing guidance on technical challenges, professional development, and chartership progression.
• Promote knowledge sharing, encourage innovation, and support the adoption of digital design tools such as Civil 3D and BIM workflows.
• Coordinate cross‑disciplinary teams with architectural and building services to deliver integrated, operable solutions respecting operational phasing and safety requirements.

Commercial Awareness

• Contribute to preparation of fee proposals, scopes, and design programmes, ensuring clarity of deliverables and assumptions.
• Monitor scope during delivery, manage change control, and identify opportunities for additional services.
• Understand contract forms, internal governance, and service agreements when working across operating units.
• Identify cross‑selling opportunities, particularly for survey and investigation services, and manage associated logistics such as airside access and permits.
• Maintain profitability while delivering value and certainty to clients.

Project Delivery & Report Writing

• Manage projects through all stages, from feasibility and concept design to detailed design and construction support.
• Programmes must be realistic, actively managed, and aligned with client milestones and operational constraints.
• Coordinate civil, AGL, and drainage interfaces, with staging plans that protect operational continuity and safety.
• Produce technical reports (typically up to ten percent of workload) that are well‑structured and tailored to project‑specific requirements.

Training, Qualifications & Experience

Ideally a Chartered or Incorporated Engineer with ICE or equivalent experience. Extensive experience in airfield civil engineering and multidisciplinary project delivery, with a track record of managing complex projects and building strong client relationships, is required.

Why join Tetra Tech

Tetra Tech is a leading provider of consulting and engineering services working across the full project lifecycle worldwide. We have a wide range of expertise across our teams, providing a global support network with a personalised approach to client relationships to better understand where we can add value. We provide a collaborative environment that supports individual performance, innovation, and creativity. We support public and private sector clients on local, national, and international projects to deliver sustainable and resilient solutions. Our operations in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands include more than 6,000 employees who are Leading with Science® to solve our clients’ most complex problems.

In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements. This could include adaptations to work schedules, training approaches, or the physical workspace. Please inform us if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process or in your day‑to‑day role.