At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative design and engineering projects that shape the future of Heathrow.
- Company: Join the iconic Heathrow Airport, a hub of excitement and opportunity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, generous leave, and market-leading pensions.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on millions of passengers while driving sustainability in aviation.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in large-scale engineering programmes and exceptional leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
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.
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. 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.
Our rewards include competitive salaries and excellent benefits that will support you now and in the future. We offer performance-based annual bonuses, generous annual leave allowances, market-leading pensions, 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, providing varied learning and development opportunities too.
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. 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. Heathrow is an accessible place to work, with five diversity networks that champion inclusivity and celebrate individuality.
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 responsible for our multi-billion pound programmes to successfully transform Heathrow into an extraordinary airport, delivering outstanding value for passengers and airlines. Development covers project management, process improvement, business change, master-planning, infrastructure, and our ambitious capital investment programmes, including Heathrow Expansion, the UK’s biggest privately funded infrastructure project.
Every day will test your skills and give you the opportunity to make your mark. Proven experience in leading large-scale design and engineering programmes within complex infrastructure environments is essential. Strong knowledge of engineering standards, regulatory requirements, and safety management systems is required, along with exceptional leadership and stakeholder management skills, and the ability to influence at executive level.
Ideally, you will also have Chartered Engineer status or equivalent professional accreditation, experience in aviation or similarly regulated sectors, and familiarity with digital engineering tools and Building Information Modelling (BIM) practices.
- 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.
Full time
Posting Date: 2026-08-03
Head of Design and Engineering in London employer: Heathrow Airport Holdings
Heathrow Airport is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that thrives on innovation and sustainability. With competitive salaries, generous benefits, and a commitment to employee development, you will find ample opportunities for growth while contributing to transformative projects that impact millions of passengers. Our inclusive culture, supported by diverse talent networks, ensures that every team member feels valued and empowered to make a difference in the world’s most iconic airport.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Design and Engineering in London
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Head of Design and Engineering role you’re after at Heathrow Airport Holdings.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at Heathrow Airport Holdings a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at Heathrow Airport Holdings.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Head of Design and Engineering at Heathrow Airport Holdings, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Design and Engineering in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Head of Design and Engineering, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Heathrow Airport Holdings a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Heathrow Airport Holdings specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Heathrow Airport Holdings
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Heathrow Airport Holdings, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like Heathrow Airport Holdings want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
