Project Engineer (Architectural/Fit Out)

We are partnering with a leading consultancy to recruit an experienced Project Engineer with a strong design background to support terminal expansion and fit-out projects at Gatwick Airport.

The role is a contract position and has been deemed inside IR35 and requires the candidate to work 3 days per week on site and 2 days per week remote.
This is an exciting opportunity to work within a live, complex operational environment, delivering multiple small to medium-scale schemes as part of a wider infrastructure programme. The role offers long-term contract stability and a hybrid working model, combining site-based collaboration with flexibility to work from home.

Key Responsibilities

Your core duties will include:

Leading and managing the design and technical delivery of projects within a live airport environment
Defining project scope, requirements and design briefs, ensuring alignment with business and programme objectives
Acting as a client-side design authority, ensuring design outputs meet operational, safety and compliance requirements
Coordinating and managing external consultants and multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality design solutions
Driving safe, efficient and cost-effective design outcomes, balancing operational constraints, risk and value
Managing design integration, change control and assurance throughout the project lifecycle (concept through to handover)
Supporting delivery teams to ensure construction aligns with design intent, quality standards and programme milestones
Facilitating design reviews, governance processes and approvals in line with programme requirements
Supporting stakeholder engagement across technical, operational and commercial teams within a live operational setting
Contributing to commissioning, handover and asset information management, ensuring operational readiness
Ensuring full compliance with health & safety regulations, standards and CDM 2015 requirements
Applying knowledge of NEC3 / NEC4 contracts to support effective and compliant project delivery

Candidate Profile

Essential Experience & Skills

Proven experience as a Project Engineer or Design Engineer within infrastructure or construction environments
Strong design background, ideally within:
Architectural design
Interior fit-out / refurbishment projects
Experience delivering multiple small schemes or programmes of work
Strong understanding of design management and full project lifecycle (RIBA or equivalent)
Experience working in complex, regulated or operational environments
Ability to develop project briefs and define requirements
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

Desirable Experience

Prior experience delivering airport or aviation projects (highly advantageous)
Experience within similar environments such as rail, healthcare, commercial fit-out, or other live infrastructure settings
Design management experience across multidisciplinary teams
Knowledge of NEC contracts (NEC3 / NEC4)
Understanding of CDM Regulations (Principal Designer duties)
Chartered status or working towards (ICE, IMechE, IET, RIBA or equivalent)
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed