Head of Design and Engineering

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 Heathrow’s Development team and you’ll be part of this, making every journey better for millions each year, now and in the future.  

We’re the team that’s responsible for our multi-billion pound programmes to successfully transform Heathrow into an extraordinary airport, whilst delivering outstanding value for passengers and airlines.  

Development covers project management, process improvement, business change, master-planning, infrastructure and our ambitious capital investment programmes. This includes Heathrow Expansion, the UK’s biggest privately funded infrastructure project and flagship for delivering lasting economic growth. 

It brings together people with the skills to deliver prestigious projects that make a lasting impact, from transforming terminals to making big reductions in our carbon emissions.  

Every day will test your skills and give you the opportunity to make your mark.

This role is pivotal in shaping the future of Heathrow’s infrastructure, ensuring that every project meets the highest standards of safety, sustainability, and innovation. You will work closely with senior stakeholders, regulatory bodies, and delivery teams to create solutions that enhance passenger experience and operational efficiency while supporting Heathrow’s long-term growth ambitions.

Principal Accountabilities

• Setting and driving the strategic vision for design and engineering across Heathrow’s capital and operational projects.
• Leading a multidisciplinary team to deliver innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective engineering solutions.
• Establishing and maintaining robust design governance frameworks to ensure compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
• Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to align engineering strategies with business objectives and future airport development plans.
• Championing digital design tools and modern engineering practices to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
• Providing expert guidance and assurance on complex engineering challenges and high-value projects.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Proven experience in leading large-scale design and engineering programmes within complex infrastructure environments.
• Strong knowledge of engineering standards, regulatory requirements, and safety management systems.
• Exceptional leadership and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at executive level.
• Track record of delivering innovative and sustainable engineering solutions.
• Excellent communication and decision-making skills underpinned by sound technical judgement.
• Ability to evaluate and mitigate risks across design stages and technical delivery.

Ideally, you will also have

• Chartered Engineer status or equivalent professional accreditation.
• Experience in aviation or similarly regulated sectors.
• Familiarity with digital engineering tools and Building Information Modelling (BIM) practices.

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.

Apply Before17/08/2026, 00:00