Project Engineer (Design Manager - Airfield Civils)

Our client is supporting the delivery of a major capital investment programme at one of the UK's busiest airports and is seeking an experienced Project Engineer / Design Manager to join a long-term aviation infrastructure programme. The role offers a hybrid working option with 3 days per week on-site and has been deemed inside IR35.

This is a client-side role focused on the management and assurance of civil engineering design across a range of airfield projects including runways, taxiways, aprons, pavements, drainage, utility diversions, and associated infrastructure. Despite the title, the role is less hands-on engineering design and more focused on design management, consultant coordination, and technical assurance.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead and manage the design development of airfield and civil infrastructure projects within a live operational airport environment.
Act as the client-side technical lead and design authority for civil engineering schemes.
Develop project scopes, technical requirements, and design briefs aligned to programme objectives.
Manage external engineering consultants, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality design outputs.
Coordinate multidisciplinary design teams across civil, structural, drainage, utilities, pavement, lighting, and airfield systems disciplines.
Oversee design reviews, design assurance processes, and technical governance approvals.
Ensure compliance with relevant aviation, airport, construction, and engineering standards.
Manage design interfaces between operational stakeholders, contractors, and consultant teams.

Ideal Background:

We are particularly interested in candidates who have delivered civil engineering projects within:

Airports and airfield infrastructure
Aviation capital programmes
Highways and major transportation projects
Defence or military airfields
Complex operational environments where maintaining business continuity is critical

Experience Required:

Degree qualified in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
Strong experience in design management, project engineering or technical delivery of infrastructure projects.
Experience managing external design consultants and multidisciplinary design teams.
Understanding of airfield civils, pavements, drainage, utilities, and infrastructure design.
Knowledge of aviation standards and operational constraints within live airport environments would be highly advantageous.
Experience delivering projects through concept, detailed design, and construction phases.
Familiarity with NEC3 or NEC4 contracts.
Strong understanding of CDM Regulations and design risk management.
Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
Chartered or working towards Chartered status (ICE or equivalent) desirable.
If you are an experienced Project Engineer / Design Manager looking for a new opportunity to further develop your career in a challenging and dynamic environment, we would love to hear from you. Apply now to join our client's aviation infrastructure programme and play a key role in the transformation of a major UK airport
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed