Principal Engineer- Aviation

Job Description

Your role

• Lead the planning, design, and delivery of complex airport and aviation infrastructure projects across all project lifecycle stages (Feasibility, Concept, Preliminary Design, Detailed Design, Construction Support, and Operational Readiness)
• Provide technical leadership for airside and landside infrastructure, including runways, taxiways, aprons, aircraft stands, terminal developments, ground support facilities, airport access roads, utility networks, and supporting infrastructure systems.
• Develop and review airfield geometric layouts, airside pavements, grading and drainage systems, ensuring compliance with ICAO, FAA, EASA, IATA, and local aviation authority regulations.
• Lead the integration of multidisciplinary utility systems and infrastructure with other airport systems like airfield lighting, navigation aids, fuel systems, security systems, baggage handling interfaces, terminal facilities, and air traffic operations requirements.
• Develop hydraulic and hydrological models using industry-standard software (e.g., InfoDrainage, MicroDrainage, SewerGEMS, WaterGEMS), including network analysis, attenuation sizing, runoff estimation, and compliance with allowable discharge criteria and return period requirements.
• Manage and coordinate both wet and dry utility interfaces, including power, telecom, gas, district cooling/heating, and water systems, ensuring optimized corridor planning, clash-free routing, and efficient use of utility corridors within constrained urban developments.
• Lead utility diversion, protection, and phasing strategies, including assessment of existing assets, preparation of relocation schemes, and coordination with statutory authorities for approvals, shutdown planning, and service continuity.
• Produce and review technical deliverables including airfield layouts, design reports, specifications, engineering calculations, construction drawings, procurement documentation, and Bills of Quantities (BoQs).
• Develop and oversee pavement engineering designs for runways, taxiways, aprons, and service roads, including pavement evaluations, rehabilitation strategies, and lifecycle asset management planning.
• Ensure compliance with international aviation standards and best practices, including ICAO Annexes, FAA Advisory Circulars, EASA Regulations, IATA Airport Development Reference Manual (ADRM), and local civil aviation requirements.
• Produce and review technical deliverables, including drawings, design reports, utility layouts, longitudinal profiles, hydraulic calculations, specifications, and Bills of Quantities (BoQs), ensuring accuracy, completeness, and coordination across disciplines.
• Utilize BIM and Digital Engineering tools (Civil 3D, OpenRoads, Revit, Navisworks, InfraWorks, GIS platforms, Digital Twins) for model-based design, clash detection, quantity take-offs, and multidisciplinary coordination.
• Plan and monitor project schedules, resource allocation, and design progress, while managing technical risks, identifying mitigation strategies, and ensuring alignment with project milestones and commercial targets.
• Engage with airport operators, civil aviation authorities, airlines, stakeholders, regulatory agencies, contractors, and developers to obtain approvals, resolve technical issues, and support project delivery.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to junior engineers and designers, including checking of deliverables, supporting skill development in drainage design and modelling, and promoting best practices in engineering design.
• Contribute to bid preparation and business development activities by providing technical inputs, design concepts, effort estimation, and risk identification for proposals and tenders.
• Develop and strengthen subject matter expertise in specific areas such as stormwater management, utility coordination, or digital design workflows, contributing to continuous improvement, innovation, and standardization within the team.

About you

• Strong expertise in airport infrastructure design and multidisciplinary systems integration, with deep knowledge of airside and landside engineering and awareness of aviation safety, operational efficiency, sustainability, resilience, and human factors.
• Proven track record of 12+ years in delivering increasingly complex aviation and airport infrastructure projects, including major international airport developments and expansion programs.
• Extensive knowledge of international aviation codes, standards, and regulatory frameworks, including ICAO, FAA, EASA, IATA, CAA, and Middle East aviation authority requirements.
• Ability to understand airport operational requirements and translate them into practical, safe, and efficient engineering solutions while serving as Technical Leader, Design Reviewer, or Project Director on major aviation programs.
• Strong competence in project management activities, including bid preparation, programme and financial reviews, risk awareness, and participation in client presentations, technical workshops, and lessons learned sessions.
• Advanced understanding of technical integration processes and analytical/problem-solving approaches, with the ability to resolve complex and unique challenges that impact business outcomes.
• Leadership mindset with high accountability, capable of working autonomously, making informed decisions, guiding teams, and driving technical excellence and strategic direction within a specific area.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, able to influence stakeholders at all levels, embrace diverse perspectives, promote innovation, and proactively adopt digital tools and systems to enhance project delivery.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng, MICE, or equivalent) or actively working towards chartership
• Experience working in international environments across the UK, Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East aviation markets would be highly desirable.

Reward & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive - at every stage of your life and your career.

This includes:

• Comprehensive life insurance coverage.
• Premium medical insurance for you and your dependents.
• Generous annual leave balance.
• Flexible and hybrid work solutions.
• Remote work opportunities outside of country.
• Company gratuity scheme.
• Discretionary bonus program.
• Relocation assistance.
• Employee Wellbeing Program: 24/7 access to specialists in finance, legal matters, family care, personal health, fitness, and nutrition.
• Seize every opportunity to sharpen your skills, expand your expertise, and be recognized for the impact you make.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Worker Type

Job Type

At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.