Senior Design Engineer - Utilities

Heathrow Airport Limited; Hounslow; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Share in Success Bonus

Private health insurance

Generous pension

Job summary

Heathrow Airport Limited is recruiting a Senior Design Engineer – Utilities to shape and assure the utility networks across the Heathrow Expansion. You will design and coordinate thermal, electrical, water, and drainage systems for terminals, airfield assets, and transport interfaces, ensuring safety, resilience, and sustainability.

The role requires leadership across complex programmes, collaboration with partners, and a focus on lifecycle performance and regulatory alignment.

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in a relevant engineering discipline with Chartered membership or equivalent.
• Minimum of five years’ engineering experience with leadership or senior technical responsibilities.
• Ability to act as a subject matter expert providing technical assurance across complex projects.
• Proven ability to lead a portfolio of assets across utilities, mechanical/electrical, water, and related domains.

Responsibilities

• Lead a virtual, multi-disciplinary team of specialists, consultants, and delivery partners to develop high‑quality designs reflecting future demand.
• Engage stakeholders at all levels to ensure designs are deliverable, cost‑effective, and aligned with business objectives.
• Provide timely, evidence‑based input and constructive challenge throughout the design process.
• Collaborate with Engineering teams to apply asset standards and design codes for integrated solutions.
• Act as an informed client, promoting design principles, innovation, and safe, risk-aware decisions.

Skills

Team leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Technical assurance

Risk management

Continuous improvement

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

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 5279
• Job Category Information Technology
• 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 supporting Heathrow’s world‑leading expansion by designing and assuring the utility systems that underpin the airport today and into the future. As a Senior Design Engineer – Utilities, the role plays a key part in shaping thermal, electrical, potable water, foul water, and stormwater networks that support terminals, airfield assets, highways, structures, and the wider passenger experience across the expansion programme. Working within one of the most complex infrastructure environments globally, the role is responsible for delivering integrated, coordinated, and fit‑for‑purpose utility design solutions that align with Heathrow’s sustainability ambitions and evolving operational needs. Utilities form a critical foundation of airport operations, and decisions in this role directly influence safety, resilience, carbon performance, customer experience, and long‑term asset value.

The role ensures that safe, secure, and efficient construction, operation, and maintenance are embedded from the earliest stages of design. This includes a strong focus on whole‑life performance, climate resilience, future capacity, and adaptability enabling utility systems to respond to changes in technology, regulation, and demand while maintaining operational continuity. A system‑wide perspective is essential. Utility solutions must align with Heathrow’s design principles, integrate effectively with highways, structures, and buildings, support airline and passenger growth, meet planning requirements, remain cost‑effective, and be delivered to defined timescales. Through this work, the role contributes to the development of a resilient and high‑performing utility network capable of supporting one of the world’s busiest airports through its next phase of growth.

Principal Accountabilities

• Lead a virtual, multi‑disciplinary team, bringing together operational specialists, consultants, design and delivery partners, business stakeholders, and customers to develop high‑quality designs that reflect future demand, business priorities, and Heathrow’s Sustainability Plan.
• Engage stakeholders at all levels to ensure designs are deliverable, cost‑effective, and aligned with intended business outcomes, clearly communicating asset plans, benefits, risks, and opportunities.
• Provide timely, evidence‑based input and constructive challenge throughout the design process, ensuring decisions reflect real‑world asset performance, user needs, and operational considerations.
• Collaborate with Engineering teams to ensure asset strategies, standards, and design codes are applied effectively, supporting optioneering and the development of integrated solutions in line with governance requirements and Heathrow’s programme lifecycle.
• Act as an informed client, promoting strong design principles, innovation, and value‑focused technology choices, while ensuring safety and risk considerations are embedded throughout. Work closely with delivery teams to assess, communicate, and manage risks, including those arising during construction.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Degree‑qualified (or equivalent) in a relevant engineering discipline. Chartered membership of a recognised engineering institution, or an equivalent level of technical competence, with Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status or actively working towards this. A minimum of five years’ relevant engineering experience, including experience in a leadership or senior technical role. Ability to act as a subject matter expert, providing technical assurance and guidance across complex engineering projects.
• Competent to lead a portfolio of assets in one of the following classifications:
  • Utilities (infrastructure)
  • Mechanical/Electrical
  • Water Systems and Public Health
  • Stands and Airside Ops
  • Terminals
  • Airport related development and supporting facilities
  • Services – heating, cooling and distribution, energy, fuels
  • Environmental
  • Baggage
  • Operational Technology and Cyber Security
  • Civils - Tunnels and Bridges
  • Civils – Highways , Structures and Car Parks
  • Civils - Airfield and Roads
  • Rail
  • Control and automation, Innovation
• Proven ability to lead, guide, and manage technical consultants and strategic partners to deliver agreed outcomes.
• Strong analytical and decision‑making skills, with the ability to use data and sound judgement to develop practical and effective solutions.
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders through clear communication, well‑structured presentations, and constructive engagement.
• Demonstrated experience in scope development, change management, designing for improved safety, and overseeing technical quality assurance.
• A track record of contributing to continuous improvement across the design and engineering lifecycle.

Ideally, you will also have

• Experience within the aviation sector, such as airlines or infrastructure planning.
• Awareness of the UK regulatory and political environment.
• Understanding of relevant regulatory, legislative, and planning frameworks, including the Development Consent Order (DCO) process.
• Experience working at Heathrow or within large‑scale or major programme environments.

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.