Principal Engineer - Aviation

AECOM; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global infrastructure firm is looking for a Principal Aviation Engineer to spearhead civil engineering projects across the UK. You will lead design teams, manage high-profile aviation tasks, and ensure quality deliverables. With extensive knowledge in civil aviation standards and project management, this role promises impactful contributions to major airports and airfields. Flexible working options available, promoting work-life balance, while driving innovation and excellence in aviation infrastructure.

Benefits

Flexible hybrid working

Career development opportunities

Volunteering days

Personalized benefits package

Qualifications

• Proven leadership delivering major airport projects.
• Deep expertise in civil design and aviation systems.
• Strong project management skills with commercial oversight.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate design teams across projects.
• Prepare design reports and specifications.
• Drive technical and commercial proposals.

Skills

Leadership in aviation projects

Expertise in civil design

Strong project management

AutoCAD proficiency

Understanding of Civil Aviation standards

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering

Professional qualification from Institution of Civil Engineers

Tools

AutoCAD (Civil 3D)

DMRB standards

Digital Delivery systems

Job description

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate multiple design teams across high-profile projects
• Build and maintain strong client relationships
• Drive technical and commercial proposals
• Ensure robust project management and QA/QC processes
• Prepare design reports, construction plans, work programmes, and specifications

You're a senior leader who takes full ownership of complex aviation and civil engineering projects, driving technical excellence, client satisfaction, and business growth. You thrive leading multidisciplinary teams, mentoring future talent, and representing AECOM with authority and credibility.

Key Qualifications and Experience

• Proven leadership delivering major airport projects, from international hubs to general aviation airfields
• Deep expertise in civil design, planning, and construction within the aviation sector
• Extensive knowledge of Civil Aviation standards (ICAO, EASA, CAA, FAA, MAA)
• Experience with DMRB, highways, drainage, and infrastructure design
• Strong project management skills, including commercial and financial oversight
• Familiarity with NEC3/4 contracts

You're ready to make strategic decisions, shape high-profile projects, and lead teams to deliver world-class aviation infrastructure.

The Right Skills

• Degree in Civil Engineering (or equivalent)
• Professional qualification: Membership (or approaching) of the Institution of Civil Engineers or similar qualification
• Knowledge or experience with Digital Delivery, including BIM and common data environments
• Experience using AutoCAD (preferably Civil 3D)
• Knowledge or experience in AviPlan or similar aircraft tracking software

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations. There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world. We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Aviation is one of the key focus sectors at AECOM, a business sector which sits within our number one rated global transportation engineering consultancy. Whilst we are already the number one aviation engineering consultancy by revenue globally.

Shape the Future of Airports with AECOM

AECOM is actively seeking a Principal Aviation Engineer to lead the design and delivery of aviation-related civil infrastructure projects across the UK. You'll be at the forefront of projects ranging from runways, taxiways, aprons, and aircraft stands to airfield lighting, navigational aids, drainage systems, utilities, and asset rehabilitation. Work spans a variety of scales and complexity, including civil and military airports, for owners, operators, and contractors.

Flexible Working Across the UK

We're open to locations across the UK and offer a flexible hybrid working model, designed to support the work-life balance that suits your lifestyle.

What You'll Do

• Lead and deliver a wide range of civil and aviation engineering projects, from international airports to general aviation airfields, for both owners/operators and contractors.

About AECOM

AECOM is the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle—from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public‑ and private‑sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $14.4 billion in fiscal year 2023. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity. You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you're working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed. You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients. AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well‑being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We're the world's trusted global infrastructure firm, and we're in this together—your growth and success are ours too.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person's potential, and we'll help you reach yours.

Core Benefits

• Flexible hybrid working for the work-life balance you need
• Career development opportunities through mentoring, AECOM University, and technical practice networks
• Volunteering days to give back and grow your experience
• A personalized benefits package designed around you