Senior Design Engineer - Expansion MMC and Constructability

This role is central to enabling Heathrow’s world‑leading expansion through the application of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), innovation, and constructability‑led design. As a Senior Engineer focused on MMC, you will shape how utility and enabling infrastructure systems are conceived, designed, and delivered maximising off‑site manufacture, standardisation, and repeatability to support safe, efficient, and sustainable growth at one of the world’s busiest airports.

Operating in one of the most complex and constrained construction environments globally, you will lead the development of manufacture ready, assembly led utility solutions across thermal, electrical, potable water, foul and stormwater systems critical networks that underpin every terminal, airfield asset, highway, structure, and passenger experience. By embedding constructability and MMC principles from the earliest stages of concept development, you will challenge traditional approaches, reduce onsite activity, minimise interfaces, shorten programme durations, and improve productivity while ensuring safety, operational continuity, and resilience across a live airport environment.

The role champions engineering excellence and innovation by promoting platform‑based design, modularisation, standard details, DfMA principles, and digital tools that enhance off‑site manufacturing, logistics planning, and rapid installation. A whole‑life approach is fundamental, ensuring that maintenance access, adaptability, climate resilience, and future capacity are considered in every solution.

Success requires a strong ability to see the wider system and programme level picture, integrating MMC‑led utility designs with highways, structures, and buildings, and aligning them with Heathrow’s design principles, planning requirements, sustainability objectives, and delivery model. Working collaboratively with designers, constructors, manufacturers, suppliers, and operations teams, you will help set new standards in infrastructure delivery unlocking value, reducing delivery risk, lowering carbon, and driving a shift toward smarter, safer, and more industrialised construction methods that create utility systems designed and manufactured for the future.

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.