Senior Aviation Designer

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill; City Of London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading design firm in London is seeking a Senior Aviation Designer to innovate in aviation and transport projects. This role involves concept development, design coordination, and interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance the firm's airport portfolio. Ideal candidates will have 6 to 10 years of experience, strong communication skills, and a passion for design excellence. The firm offers competitive salaries, mentorship, and the chance to work on transformative projects.

Benefits

Competitive salaries

Health insurance

Wellness plans

Retirement options

Work/life balance support

Qualifications

• 6 to 10 years of experience in aviation design or large infrastructure projects.
• Ability to develop design studies, drawings, and presentations.
• Experience in interdisciplinary collaboration with architects and engineers.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver aviation and transport projects.
• Integrate technical and operational requirements into design.
• Support project planning and maintain team alignment.

Skills

Aviation design

Design coordination

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Planning

Education

Qualifications as an architect or designer

Job description

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) is a collective of over 1,200 architects, designers, engineers, and planners working across studios in London, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Hong Kong, Melbourne, Riyadh, and Dubai.

We are looking for a Senior Aviation Designer to join our London studio. This role will focus on the design and delivery of innovative aviation and transport projects. As our airport portfolio grows, we’re seeking someone who combines strong design thinking with solid planning and coordination skills and who can help strengthen and support the wider team as we take on multiple aviation projects.

Role Overview

This position blends strong design capability with a growing focus on aviation and transport projects. You will play a key role from concept development to delivery, working closely with interdisciplinary teams to connect design intent with technical, operational, and performance requirements. The role is for someone who is collaborative, motivated to deepen their expertise in aviation, and confident in communicating ideas clearly. We are looking for someone who:

• Has an active interest in aviation design, and applying your experience to drive innovation within the studio.
• Contributes to the design and coordination of aviation and transport projects from concept through delivery.
• Develops clear and consistent design studies, drawings, diagrams, and presentations across project stages.
• Integrates design intent with operational, technical, and performance requirements through collaboration with architects, engineers, planners, and specialists.
• Supports design reviews and helps resolve project challenges with clear thinking and well‑coordinated information.
• Assists with project planning, documentation, and organisation of deliverables to maintain team alignment and programme goals.
• Communicate design intent effectively with colleagues, consultants, and clients.
• Contribute positively to team culture, supporting others and sharing knowledge openly.
• Work confidently in fast‑moving, interdisciplinary environments where planning and design evolve together.
• Hold qualifications as an architect or designer with 6 to 10 years of experience, including work on airports or large, complex infrastructure projects.

Why Join Us?

As part of our international studio network, you’ll collaborate across offices, disciplines, and cultures, engaging with diverse perspectives to deliver design excellence on a global scale.

We don’t just offer a role, we will help you define your own career framework. We will support your growth as a design leader through mentorship, global exposure, and access to the firm's most forward‑thinking leadership. At SOM your ambition is matched by opportunity, and your ideas have a platform to influence the built environment at every scale.

SOM offers opportunities to work on transformational projects, competitive salaries, health insurance, wellness, retirement and financial and other work/life plans.

At SOM, we welcome and encourage diversity in the workplace. We believe an inclusive environment benefits our employees, our firm, and our community, while also enriching and challenging our own thinking about design. We are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Visit this page to learn more about SOM's employment policy and how to apply offline: www.som.com/employment_opportunities_and_policy

For more about SOM: www.som.com

Portfolios must be submitted for all design positions (Architecture, Interiors, Planning, etc). Applications without work samples will not be reviewed. Portfolios should be one PDF attachment, 10-20 pages, maximum 5 MB. Submit portfolios as part of your application in the section where the application asks you for your Resume or CV.