Design Manager - Aviation ​/ Building Services

Note for Recruitment Agencies:
We prefer to hire directly and we will be in touch with our PSL Agencies if this role is eligible for release. We do not accept speculative CVs from agencies. If speculative CVs are sent, no fee will be applicable – please direct all queries to the relevant Resourcing Partner.

Role

Title:

Design Manager - Aviation

Business Unit:
Asset Intelligence

Location:

Stansted

Reporting to the Technical Director, the Design Manager will lead and coordinate electrical and building services design activities across the Asset Intelligence Aviation business. The role is responsible for ensuring the delivery of safe, compliant, innovative and high-quality engineering solutions that support aviation infrastructure and intelligent building systems.

Working closely with clients, project teams, design partners and supply chain stakeholders, you will provide technical leadership throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring designs are buildable, value-driven and aligned with operational, regulatory and client requirements.

• Lead, manage and develop the design team, creating a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and technical excellence.
• Oversee the planning, allocation and management of design resources to support successful project delivery.
• Ensure all design activities comply with relevant legislation, industry standards, CDM requirements and internal governance processes.
• Provide technical leadership and specialist support to project teams, clients and stakeholders.
• Lead technical reviews, site visits and engagement with design consultants, subcontractors and suppliers.
• Develop and review technical scopes, specifications and design solutions to meet client and operational requirements.
• Support tendering and project delivery teams with technical input and design expertise.
• Review and approve design deliverables, ensuring quality, compliance and alignment with project objectives.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement through the adoption of best practice and digital engineering solutions.
• Manage design changes through formal change control processes and support the identification of commercial impacts where required.
• Ensure the effective handover of design information to construction, commissioning and operational teams.
• Support the recruitment, development and mentoring of team members, helping individuals achieve their professional and career goals.

• A strong alignment with the company’s purpose, vision, values, and culture, with the ability to actively promote these within the AI Aviation Business and across project teams.
• An effective communicator who can engage confidently with airport operators, technical stakeholders, consultants, and delivery teams, while demonstrating a strong commitment to inclusion, collaboration, and diversity.
• A high level of integrity and professionalism, with the ability to exercise sound judgement and discretion when dealing with sensitive commercial, technical and operational information.
• Highly organised, structured, and detail-oriented, with a commitment to delivering high-quality engineering solutions within complex aviation and building services environments.
• A proactive and resilient individual with the ability to influence stakeholders and build strong working relationships across multidisciplinary teams, including clients, contractors, consultants, and airport authorities.
• A strong commitment to customer service and client satisfaction, ensuring that design solutions meet operational, safety and regulatory requirements within live aviation environments.
• Experience working in fast-paced, multi-site infrastructure environments, ideally within airports, transport hubs, or complex building services projects, where coordination between design, operations, and construction teams is critical

With an impressive order book of over £4.1 billion we are one of the industry’s leading principal contractors, affording you the opportunity to work on some of the UK’s most exciting projects offering you stability as well as the chance to stretch your capabilities and realise long…