Senior Design Engineer - Carbon and Sustainability

Heathrow Airport Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Share in Success

Generous pension

Private health insurance

Wellbeing tools

Learning & development

Job summary

Heathrow Airport Limited in London is recruiting a Senior Design Engineer - Carbon and Sustainability to lead the integration of carbon reduction into major infrastructure projects and shape Heathrow's sustainability strategy. You will work with multidisciplinary teams, influence design decisions, and deliver practical, innovative carbon‑reduction solutions while balancing safety and operational needs.

The role offers a hybrid working pattern in the UK, with opportunities to contribute to

Qualifications

• Proven experience in sustainable design or carbon management on large infrastructure projects.
• Strong knowledge of environmental regulations, carbon accounting and sustainability frameworks.
• Ability to interpret technical standards and influence design decisions.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement in multidisciplinary teams.
• Degree in engineering or environmental science.

Responsibilities

• Lead integration of carbon and sustainability into design processes.
• Provide technical assurance on sustainable design standards.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to identify carbon reduction opportunities.
• Review design proposals to optimise sustainability while ensuring safety.
• Develop tools, processes and reporting to track sustainability performance.

Skills

Sustainable design experience

Carbon management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

Engineering degree

Environmental science degree

Job description

Senior Design Engineer - Carbon and Sustainability

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 5850
• Job Category Technical
• Posting Date 08/27/2026, 03:54 PM
• Apply Before 09/10/2026, 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 Description

This role is central to delivering our sustainability strategy, reducing carbon emissions, and ensuring compliance with environmental standards. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams to integrate sustainable design principles into major infrastructure projects, ensuring Heathrow remains a leader in responsible aviation development.

As part of our Technical Assurance function, you will influence design decisions from concept through delivery, ensuring projects meet ambitious carbon reduction targets and align with Heathrow's sustainability commitments. Success in this role means delivering practical, innovative solutions that balance operational needs with environmental responsibility, while fostering collaboration across engineering, planning, and construction teams.

Principal Accountabilities

• Lead the integration of carbon and sustainability requirements into design processes for major infrastructure projects.
• Provide technical assurance and guidance on sustainable design standards, ensuring compliance with Heathrow's environmental policies and industry best practice.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to identify and implement carbon reduction opportunities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Review and challenge design proposals to optimise sustainability outcomes without compromising safety or functionality.
• Support the development of tools, processes, and reporting mechanisms to track and improve sustainability performance.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Proven experience in sustainable design or carbon management within large-scale infrastructure or construction projects.
• Strong understanding of environmental regulations, carbon accounting, and sustainability frameworks.
• Ability to interpret and apply technical standards and influence design decisions effectively.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience working in multidisciplinary teams.
• Degree in engineering, environmental science, or a related discipline.

Ideal Skills

• Chartered status or working towards chartership in a relevant professional body.
• Experience with digital tools for carbon modelling and sustainability reporting.
• Knowledge of emerging technologies and innovations in sustainable infrastructure.

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.