Senior Design Engineer - Utilities
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Job Description
This role is central to enabling Heathrow's world-leading expansion by designing and assuring the utility systems that support the airport today and for decades ahead. As a Senior Design Engineer for Utilities, you will play a critical role in shaping the thermal, electrical, potable water, foul water, and stormwater networks that underpin every new terminal, airfield asset, highway, structure, and passenger experience across the expansion programme. Working within one of the most complex infrastructure environments in the world, you will be responsible for delivering integrated, coherent, and fit-for-purpose utility design solutions that meet Heathrow's sustainability ambitions and evolving operational needs. Utilities are the backbone of the airport, and the decisions made in this role have a direct impact on safety, resilience, carbon performance, customer experience, and long-term value.
You will ensure safe, secure, and efficient construction, operation, and maintenance are embedded from the earliest stages of design, considering whole-life performance, climate resilience, future capacity, and adaptability. This forward-thinking approach ensures that utility systems can evolve with changing technology, regulation, and demand without disrupting airport operations. A strong ability to see the "big picture" is essential, ensuring that utility solutions align with Heathrow's design vision, integrate seamlessly with highways, structures, and buildings, support airline and passenger growth, achieve planning requirements where needed, remain cost-effective, and can be delivered to defined timescales. Your work will be instrumental in creating a resilient, high-performing utility network capable of supporting one of the world's busiest airports through its next era of growth.
Responsibilities
- Lead a virtual, multi-disciplinary team drawing on operational experts, consultants, design and build partners, business stakeholders, and customers to ensure high quality designs that reflect future demand, business development, and Heathrow's Sustainability Plan.
- Engage stakeholders at all levels to ensure designs are deliverable, affordable, and aligned to intended business benefits, clearly visualising and communicating asset plans, benefits, risks, and opportunities.
- Provide timely, evidence based input and constructive challenge throughout the design process to ensure decisions reflect real-world asset performance, user needs, and operational reality.
- Collaborate with Engineering teams to ensure asset strategies, standards, and design codes are applied effectively; support optioneering and integrated solution development in line with governance requirements and Heathrow's programme lifecycle.
- Act as an intelligent client by championing good design principles, innovation, and best-value technology choices; ensure safety and risk considerations are embedded at every stage, working with delivery teams to assess, communicate, and manage risks including those arising during construction.
Qualifications
- Degree or equivalent qualified in a relevant engineering discipline. Chartered member of a relevant engineering institution or equivalent level of technical competency and hold IEng or be working towards IEng professional status. Must have at least 5 years of engineering experience as this is a leadership position where you will act as the clients SME for technical assurance
- 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 instruct, lead, and manage technical consultants and strategic partners to achieve defined outcomes.
- Strong analytical and decision making skills, using data and sound judgement to develop robust, pragmatic solutions.
- Experience influencing senior stakeholders through clear communication, presentations, and effective engagement.
- Demonstrated experience in scope development, change management, safety improvement through design, and managing technical quality assurance.
- Track record of driving continuous improvement across the design and engineering lifecycle.
Ideally, you will also have
- Experience of the aviation industry is preferred, e.g. airlines, infrastructure planning
- Experience of the UK regulatory and political environment would be a benefit.
- Understanding of related Regulatory, Legislative and Planning frameworks, Development Consent Order process.
- Experience of working at Heathrow or in the large and major programme sector .
- An asset or project management qualification.
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.
Sustainable Travel to work
Heathrow's Sustainable Travel Guide sets out easy and sustainable travel options that everyone can access.
Equal Opportunities
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.
About the Team
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.