Operational Technology Engineering Graduate Leadership Development Programme

Heathrow Group; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Private health insurance

Pension plan

Annual leave

Job summary

Heathrow Airport Limited invites applications for its Operational Technology Engineering Graduate Leadership Development Programme in London. The role is hybrid, combining on-site and remote work as part of a structured three-year development path.

You’ll gain exposure to OT systems across major airport assets and work toward Incorporated/Chartered Engineer status, supported by mentors and a tailored training route.

Qualifications

• Degree in Operational Technology related discipline accredited by the Institution of Engineering Technology (IET).
• Supports progression towards Chartered Engineer status by August 2027.

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing and optimizing OT systems across Heathrow assets (SCADA, PLCs, ICA).
• Contribute to Heathrow’s digital transformation and operational resilience.

Education

OT-related degree

Job description

Operational Technology Engineering Graduate Leadership Development Programme

London, United Kingdom (Hybrid)

Heathrow is an amazing backdrop to a career filled with unique opportunities. We are on an exciting journey to achieve our vision of being an extraordinary airport, fit for the future. Through creating capacity, transforming for a digital future and focusing on people and planet, we will make every journey better.

The scheme

Engineering is the lifeblood of Heathrow. Operational Technology (OT) refers to the hardware and software systems used to monitor and control physical processes and assets - ensuring safe, efficient, and automated operations across the airport. From smart sensors and control systems to fire safety and baggage automation, OT plays a vital role in keeping Heathrow running smoothly.

As an OT graduate, you’ll join a team responsible for £14bn worth of assets, including 4 million square metres of airfield pavements, 125km of roads, 44 tunnels, 5 terminals, and the largest private water distribution system in Europe. You’ll help manage and optimise systems like SCADA, PLCs, and ICA (Instrumentation, Control and Automation), contributing to Heathrow’s digital transformation and operational resilience.

Our three-year professional development programme prepares you for engineering and management roles within engineering and asset management. The scheme is also intended to provide you with sufficient experience to meet the initial professional development requirements of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, which will allow you to apply for membership of the Institution at either Incorporated or Chartered level in due course.

You will gain a breadth of exposure across multiple business units, which could include:

• Airside and landside engineering
• Water management
• Heating & Cooling Systems
• Terminal engineering
• Technical Services
• Project Management
• Rail
• Asset Management

You will join us on significant projects and learn from our expert engineers, on a personalised programme that will consider your dreams, passions and skills.

Supporting you for success

Heathrow is a place where everybody belongs – and there are no limits on what you can achieve. Everyone who joins us on one of our early careers engineering programmes in this one-of-a-kind workplace is closely supported by mentors and managers, who help colleagues to shape their dream career. They will be there to help you build your networks, challenge your thinking and unlock opportunities. You will also meet regularly with a dedicated mentor who can answer any questions you may have about the organisation and help you find solutions to any challenges you may face. Plus, you will have a ‘buddy’ to show you the ropes until you find your feet.

You will embark on a comprehensive and defined training route, while receiving one-to-one coaching from mentors, will build up your knowledge, experience and the leadership skills needed to succeed as a future leader at Heathrow. Our expectation is that you will go on to achieve Incorporated and Chartered Engineer status with us and, ideally, take a fast-track route into a managerial role. What do you dream of achieving?

What we’re looking for

To make it onto this programme, you’ll need a real passion for engineering as well as a degree in an Operational Technology related discipline that is accredited by the Institution of Engineering Technology (IET) and supports progression towards Chartered Engineer status by August 2027. You can check if your degree is accredited via this link . Please only apply if you meet this requirement.

We’re looking for people who are keen to explore new things, who enjoy a challenge and wants the opportunity to work in different areas of Engineering to help build capability. It’s also important for you to demonstrate a ‘can-do’ attitude, integrity, and a real passion for living our Heathrow values.

As our business continues to evolve, data and digital capabilities are becoming essential across all roles. We’re also seeking individuals who drive success, communicate with clarity and confidence, and embrace change with agility. Together, these qualities will help us build a future-ready workforce that can thrive in a data and digital environment.

If this sounds like you,we’dlove to hear from you!

What it's like to work here

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

Discover a world full of fresh possibilities as you encounter people from all cultures, nationalities, and experiences. You’ll be buzzing with stories to tell at the end of each day as you help us achieve our vision of being an extraordinary airport, fit for the future. There is a world full of pride for what we do, making every journey better - with no end of exciting career prospects to explore.

Together, we’re working to welcome millions more passengers while we transform for a digital future and ensure aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability and decarbonisation.

Join us on that journey through one of our emerging talent programmes and we'll help you achieve your ambitions too — supporting you to learn, encouraging you to be yourself and backing you to achieve more than you might ever have imagined. Come and be part of our winning team - 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 graduate programmes offer a unique experience of Britain's busiest airport. Most of your time will be spent on-site working, so you'll need to be based in the UK and within 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.

Right to Work

We have assessed this role and do not consider that we would be able to sponsor a successful candidate under the Skilled Worker route as the role does not meet the relevant Home Office criteria; therefore, applicants must have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship at the start of the programme and beyond programme completion.

Successful candidates will start in September 2027.

Apply Before: 11/13/2026, 11:59 PM

Job Schedule: Full time

Job Location: Heathrow Airport Limited, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW6 2GW, GB (Hybrid)