Senior Electrical Engineer – Aviation Fuel Infrastructure
Heathrow Airport | Critical Infrastructure | Hybrid | Long-term Contract | Outside IR35 | Competitive Rate
The Opportunity
We're recruiting a Senior Electrical Engineer to develop and deliver electrical maintenance procedures, risk assessments, and planned preventative maintenance programmes for aviation fuel distribution infrastructure at London Heathrow Airport.
This is hands-on technical work. You'll produce electrical maintenance procedures, conduct risk assessments, design PPM programmes, and support site teams in implementing electrical standards and compliance requirements. Your expertise in aviation fuel systems, electrical safety, and hazardous area installations directly impacts safety, compliance, and operational continuity.
Contract Details: Outside IR35 | Competitive rate | Long-term contract | Hybrid working pattern
What You'll Be Doing
Electrical Maintenance Procedures & Assessment
- Develop and produce electrical maintenance procedures for aviation fuel distribution infrastructure
- Prepare comprehensive risk assessments for electrical systems and installations
- Design planned preventative maintenance (PPM) programmes for site-wide implementation
- Support site staff in understanding and implementing electrical procedures
- Provide technical advice on electrical compliance and safety standards
Capability Gap Analysis & Support
- Identify gaps in electrical maintenance capability and procedures
- Support planning to address capability gaps through procedure enhancement or technical guidance
- Assist site teams in understanding electrical standards and regulatory requirements
- Support continuous improvement in electrical maintenance processes
Regulatory & Safety Compliance
- Ensure all electrical work complies with aviation fuel industry standards (JIG 2, Energy Institute guidance)
- Maintain expertise in hazardous area electrical installations (ATEX, DSEAR)
- Ensure bonding, earthing, and electrical continuity standards for static electricity control
- Support compliance with UK legislation and international aviation fuel handling standards
- Contribute to HSE risk management and incident investigation where required
Technical Assurance
- Oversee inspection and testing procedures for electrical installations
- Support cathodic protection systems maintenance (EI 1540 and equivalent)
- Ensure electrical systems in hazardous areas meet strict regulatory requirements
- Maintain audit trails and compliance documentation
About You
Essential Qualifications
- Degree in Electrical, Electronic, or Control Engineering (or equivalent apprenticeship/professional experience)
- Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status with a relevant professional body, or demonstrable progress towards professional qualification
- Minimum 5-10+ years' engineering experience in aviation, fuel infrastructure, airport operations, or similar regulated/hazardous area sectors
Essential Technical Knowledge & Experience
- JIG 2 (Joint Inspection Group) standard for aviation fuel quality control and airport fuel depot operations
- Energy Institute (E.I.) guidance on aviation fuel handling and technical standards
- Hazardous area electrical installations: ATEX and DSEAR requirements for fuel storage, depots, and hydrant systems
- Bonding and earthing: reliable electrical continuity, main/supplementary bonding, earth electrode resistances, and static electricity control
- Electrical inspection and testing: BS 7671, CompEx, and aviation-specific standards
- Cathodic protection systems (EI 1540 and equivalent guidance)
- CE marking compliance: ATEX, PED, Low Voltage Directive, Machinery Directive, EMC Compliance
- UK electrical regulations and standards for hazardous areas and aviation infrastructure
- Risk identification, quantification, and management in hazardous environments
- HSE requirements and safety-critical working practices
Desirable
- Track record on aviation or airport infrastructure projects
- Experience in fuel depot or hydrant operations
- Proven capability developing and rolling out site-wide procedures
- Experience working in ISO 9001 or similarly structured quality environments
The Role in Context
You'll be supporting electrical maintenance operations at one of the UK's most critical infrastructure sites. Heathrow's aviation fuel distribution infrastructure - underground pipelines, hydrant systems, and fuel storage facilities - operates 24/7 to support the airport's operations. Electrical systems in this environment operate in hazardous atmospheres and are subject to stringent regulatory oversight.
The work is technical, compliance-focused, and genuinely important. Your procedures and risk assessments support safe operations. Your expertise in hazardous area electrical installations and aviation fuel standards ensures the infrastructure operates safely and complies with regulatory requirements.
Why This Role
Critical Infrastructure: Aviation fuel infrastructure is essential national infrastructure. Your work ensures safe, reliable fuel supply to the UK's largest airport.
Technical Depth: Hazardous area electrical engineering in aviation fuel infrastructure requires genuine expertise. This is rigorous, compliance-heavy technical work where safety and standards are non-negotiable.
