Head of Design and Engineering (Terminal 5 Optimisation)

Graduate Career Site RYI; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Share in success bonus

Market-leading pension

Private health insurance

Generous annual leave

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

Heathrow Airport Limited is seeking a Head of Design and Engineering to lead the design and delivery of a major infrastructure programme at London Heathrow. The role requires guiding multidisciplinary teams, setting technical requirements and collaborating with senior stakeholders across aviation and public infrastructure.

The position offers hybrid working arrangements, with a focus on safety, quality and inclusive, accessible design as part of shaping a world-class airport’s future

Qualifications

• Leading multidisciplinary engineering delivery on large, complex infrastructure programmes.
• Developing and implementing design and engineering strategies with clear methods for quality and collaboration.
• Managing technical suppliers and overseeing procurement processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of the design and engineering strategy and ensure high-quality outcomes.
• Oversee design and engineering suppliers, including procurement support and performance management.
• Set technical requirements and ensure delivery through consistent methodologies.
• Build strong relationships with internal teams, delivery partners, airlines and senior stakeholders.
• Provide expert technical guidance, chair governance forums and present progress to leadership.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Design strategy

Procurement management

Governance & risk

Stakeholder management

Quality & safety

Inclusive design

Public infrastructure

Job description

Head of Design and Engineering (Terminal 5 Optimisation)

London, United Kingdom (Hybrid)

Introduction

When it comes to pioneering ambition, there’s no place like Heathrow.

Our Heathrow Expansion programme offers a unique and exciting opportunity to play a defining role in one of the UK’s most significant infrastructure projects.

You’ll help shape a national legacy that millions will experience for decades to come, as we deliver the third runway, improve passenger experience, stimulate jobs and opportunities across the UK, and strengthen the global connectivity that powers trade and travel.

Modernising and expanding the UK’s only hub airport and critical national infrastructure whilst keeping it fully operational and safe, creates a pace and complexity unlike other major programmes. It demands collaboration, resilience, problem solving and a desire to take on challenges that genuinely matter.

From securing planning consents to designing a new runway, modernising terminals and improving public transport access, and delivering on environmental and community commitments - the scale is unmatched.

You’ll be part of a diverse team of talented colleagues, built on mutual respect and where excellence thrives. It’s an inspiring place to work, with unlimited opportunities to make a difference as you help to shape the future of our world-class airport.

Job Info

• Job Identification 5220
• Job Category Project Management
• Posting Date 09/30/2026, 09:20 AM
• Apply Before 10/11/2026, 10:59 PM
• Job Schedule Full time
• Locations Heathrow Airport Limited, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW6 2GW, GB (Hybrid)
• Contract Type Permanent
• Working Pattern Monday-Friday Business hours

Job Overview

We’re looking for an inspiring and collaborative technical leader to guide the design and engineering delivery of a major infrastructure programme. This is a unique opportunity to shape solutions that will have a long‑lasting impact, working within a diverse multidisciplinary environment and partnering with senior stakeholders across the aviation sector.

Principal Accountabilities

• Leading the development and delivery of the programme’s design and engineering strategy, ensuring high‑quality outcomes.
• Overseeing design and engineering suppliers, including supporting procurement and managing performance.
• Setting technical requirements and ensuring they are met through clear, consistent methodologies.
• Building strong, positive relationships with internal teams, delivery partners, airlines and senior stakeholders.
• Providing expert technical guidance, including chairing technical governance forums and presenting progress to leadership groups.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Leading multidisciplinary engineering delivery on large, complex infrastructure programmes.
• Developing and implementing design and engineering strategies, with clear methods for quality, assurance and collaboration.
• Managing technical suppliers, including overseeing procurement processes and ensuring performance against scope and milestones.
• Overseeing technical risk, quality and governance, with the ability to provide clear, objective advice to senior stakeholders.
• Building effective relationships across internal teams and external partners to reach shared decisions.
• Improving safety outcomes through design, applying best practice and constantly seeking enhancements.
• Experience contributing to the creation of inclusive, accessible built environments.
• Interest in shaping modern public‑use infrastructure through innovative design approaches.

About us

There’s something so special about working at the world’s most iconic airport. Its sights. Its sounds. Its constant air of excitement. Heathrow is an amazing backdrop to a career filled with unique opportunities.

Every day, you’ll discover a world full of fresh possibilities and end the day buzzing with stories to tell, as you encounter people from all cultures, nationalities and experiences. A world full of pride for what we do and no end of exciting career prospects to explore.

It brings out the best in all of us. And inspires everyone to deliver on our ambitious plans. Together, we’re working to welcome millions more passengers while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability.

Join us on that journey and we'll help you achieve your ambitions too. Supporting you to learn, encouraging you to be yourself, backing you to achieve more than you might ever have imagined. Because there’s no place like Heathrow.

Our rewards

We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits that will support you now and in the future. As well as performance-based annual bonuses and our longer-term Share in Success Bonus plans, we also offer generous annual leave allowances and market-leading pensions. With family friendly policies, access to private health insurance and a wide range of wellbeing tools, we’ll support you to be at your best inside and outside work. And of course, we’ll provide varied learning and development opportunities too. Here you’ll find everything you need for a fulfilling career journey that can take you in exciting directions.

Working Location

Our Hybrid working approach offers the opportunity for colleagues in some roles to work from home for an average of two days a week, providing the flexibility to work in an agile way whilst ensuring we deliver for the operational needs of Heathrow . Working arrangements vary from team to team and will be confirmed during the recruitment process. You’ll need to be based in the UK and within a commutable distance to Heathrow.

As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all. We believe that diverse talent makes us stronger – not least because we welcome passengers from all corners of the globe, every single day. Heathrow is an accessible place to work. With five diversity networks, we champion inclusivity and celebrate individuality.