We are recruiting on behalf of a leading consultancy for an experienced Senior Project Engineer / Design Manager to join a long-term programme at a major UK Airport. This is a fantastic opportunity for an established design professional with strong airfields experience-particularly in runway and pavement design-to play a central role in a complex and high-profile aviation environment. This is a long term contract with a hybrid option and has been deemed inside IR35.
The Role
As Senior Project Engineer / Design Manager, you will be responsible for managing, coordinating, and assuring multidisciplinary design activities across a range of airfield and civil engineering projects. You will interface closely with internal design teams, contractors, airport stakeholders, and project leadership to ensure high-quality, safe, and compliant design delivery.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and manage design development for airfield infrastructure projects, including runways, taxiways, aprons, and associated civil works.
- Develop the design brief for external design consultants
- Seek safe and cost effective design solutions to meet project requirements
- Oversee design assurance, compliance, and technical quality across all design stages.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary engineering inputs and ensure integration with operational airport requirements.
- Monitor, co-ordinate and provide technical input into design changes throughout the construction and handover stages
- Manage interfaces between design teams, contractors, and client stakeholders.
- Provide technical leadership, problem solving, and design risk management.
- Support project planning, reporting, and delivery against programme milestones.
Required Experience:
- Proven experience as a Design Manager or Senior Project Engineer within aviation, airfields, or major civil engineering environments.
- Strong background in runway design, pavement engineering, or airfield civil works.
- Demonstratable knowledge and understanding of the technical and regulatory requirements related to Aerodrome Systems 9ie: Navigational Aids or Airfield Ground Lighting
- Experience working in complex, safety-critical, or regulated environments.
- Confident managing multi-stakeholder design coordination.
- Excellent communication and leadership skills.
- Good understanding of construction techniques and constructability issues
Preferred:
- Experience working on live airport infrastructure projects.
- Knowledge of ICAO, CAA, or EASA aviation design standards.
- Knowledge and understanding of NEC contracts
Contract Details:
- Long-term assignment with significant project pipeline.
- Role determined as Inside IR35.
- Competitive umbrella/day rate depending on experience.
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