Utilities Design Director

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Parsons is looking for an amazingly talented Utilities Design Director to join our team! You'll provide strategic leadership, technical governance, and design management oversight for all utility engineering activities associated with a major Airport, Infrastructure, and Airfield Development Project. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading the utilities design strategy, technical assurance, multidisciplinary coordination, and delivery management of complex utility networks supporting passenger terminals, runways, taxiways, cargo aprons, aircraft stands, airport facilities, and associated infrastructure. The Utilities Design Director will oversee the development and review of utility systems including potable water networks, firefighting systems, stormwater drainage, sewerage networks, irrigation systems, utility corridors, district cooling interfaces, power duct banks, communication networks, and other airport infrastructure utilities. The role requires exceptional leadership experience in major airport and infrastructure programs, strong technical authority, stakeholder management capabilities, and proven experience managing complex multidisciplinary design teams.

What You'll Be Doing

1. Utilities Design Leadership & Strategic ManagementProvide executive leadership and strategic direction for all utilities design activities across the airport development program. Establish utilities engineering strategies, design standards, technical governance frameworks, and delivery objectives. Lead and manage multidisciplinary utilities design teams including civil, wet utilities, dry utilities, and specialist infrastructure disciplines. Ensure utilities design deliverables align with project objectives, operational requirements, sustainability targets, and client expectations. Provide technical leadership and decision-making support to Project Directors and senior management.
2. Utilities Master Planning & Design ManagementLead the review and approval of utility master plans, engineering strategies, and infrastructure development plans. Oversee design development for: Potable water distribution networks. Firefighting water systems. Stormwater drainage networks. Sewerage collection systems. Irrigation networks. Utility tunnels and corridors. Electrical and ICT ducting infrastructure. Airport support facility utilities. Ensure utility systems are appropriately sized, resilient, maintainable, and integrated with airport operational requirements. Review engineering calculations, hydraulic models, technical reports, specifications, and design submissions.
3. Airport Infrastructure Utility IntegrationProvide strategic oversight of utilities interfaces associated with: Passenger terminals and concourses. Runways and taxiways. Cargo terminals and logistics facilities. Aircraft parking aprons. Maintenance and operational buildings. Landside developments. Ensure utilities infrastructure supports current and future airport operational requirements. Coordinate utility planning with airfield, civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, ICT, and specialist airport systems. Ensure effective integration of underground infrastructure and utility corridors.
4. Technical Governance & Design AssuranceEstablish and maintain utilities design review procedures and technical assurance processes. Review and approve major engineering submissions, design reports, calculations, specifications, and technical solutions. Ensure compliance with: International engineering standards. Airport design requirements. Local authority regulations. Client specifications. Sustainability and resilience objectives. Lead technical reviews, value engineering exercises, and design optimization initiatives. Provide technical direction on complex engineering challenges and design decisions.
5. Multidisciplinary Interface ManagementLead coordination between utilities disciplines and other engineering functions. Manage complex interfaces between: Civil infrastructure. Airfield works. Pavements. Buildings. MEP systems. ICT systems. Security systems. Airport operational systems. Support BIM coordination, clash resolution, and digital engineering initiatives. Ensure timely resolution of interface issues affecting design and construction delivery.
6. Construction & Delivery SupportProvide technical leadership during construction, installation, testing, commissioning, and handover phases. Review construction-related technical submissions including: Shop drawings. Method statements. Material approvals. RFIs. Design changes. Support resolution of major technical issues impacting project delivery. Ensure utilities designs remain practical, constructible, and aligned with site execution requirements. Support operational readiness and asset handover activities.
7. Stakeholder & Authority ManagementAct as the senior technical representative for utilities design coordination with: Client organizations. Airport authorities. Utility providers. Government agencies. Design consultants. Contractors. Specialist suppliers. Lead technical workshops, design reviews, and strategic coordination meetings. Support authority approvals, permits, and regulatory submissions. Maintain effective stakeholder relationships throughout the project lifecycle.
8. Quality, Risk & Compliance ManagementEstablish utilities quality assurance and technical compliance requirements. Ensure utilities designs comply with project quality standards and regulatory requirements. Lead technical risk assessments and mitigation planning. Identify design risks affecting cost, schedule, safety, and operational performance. Support implementation of lessons learned and continuous improvement initiatives.
9. Technical Reporting & Executive AdvisoryProvide executive-level technical reports, design status updates, risk assessments, and strategic recommendations. Monitor utilities design progress against project milestones and delivery objectives. Provide technical advice to senior project leadership and client representatives. Support preparation of project closeout documentation and asset management requirements.

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related Engineering discipline. Master's Degree in Infrastructure Engineering, Utilities Engineering, or related field is preferred.
• Minimum 25 years of experience in utilities engineering, infrastructure design, and technical leadership.
• Proven experience leading utilities design delivery for major: International airport developments. Aviation infrastructure programs. Large-scale transportation projects. Complex infrastructure developments.
• Extensive experience with: Wet and dry utility networks. Airport utility master planning. Infrastructure integration. Multidisciplinary design management. Design assurance and technical governance.
• Demonstrated experience managing large engineering teams, consultants, and contractors.
• Extensive knowledge of utility infrastructure planning, design principles, and construction methodologies.
• Strong understanding of airport infrastructure requirements and operational constraints.
• Advanced knowledge of international utility standards, codes, and engineering practices.
• Experience with hydraulic modelling tools such as WaterGEMS, SewerGEMS, InfoWorks, StormCAD, or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of BIM, digital engineering, and asset information management.
• Excellent leadership, strategic planning, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong ability to manage complex technical decisions and multidisciplinary interfaces.
• Ability to operate effectively at executive and project leadership levels.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng), Professional Engineer (PE), or equivalent professional registration.
• Extensive experience on international airport mega-projects and greenfield airport developments.
• Knowledge of ICAO, FAA, NFPA, AWWA, BS/EN standards, and airport infrastructure requirements.
• Experience working under FIDIC or similar international contract frameworks.
• Experience supporting Design-Build, EPC, PMC, or Delivery Partner project delivery models.
• Experience leading utilities strategy for smart airports and sustainable infrastructure developments.
• Strong experience managing client relationships, authorities, and major engineering consultants.