Principal Aviation Advisor

Location/s: Madrid, ES
Recruiter contact: Ainsley Anstess

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices. 

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual. 

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

About the business unit 
We help conceive, drive, and implement transport solutions for cities, regions, and asset owners/operators around the globe. From preparing the business case and advising on related issues - such as revenue, procurement, and environmental legislation - to delivering the completed infrastructure and helping maintain it. Our planning, engineering, environmental and management skills cover the whole project cycle. We play a major role in developing and delivering the Global Transport Sector Strategy.

Overview of the role

We are seeking a highly experienced and versatile Airport Technical Advisor with a civil engineering background to support and grow our dynamic airport advisory business. This role is ideal for a well-rounded professional with a comprehensive understanding of airport systems and a proven track record in delivering complex, multidisciplinary projects.

Key Areas of Experience Required:

• Traffic Forecasting
• Airport Business Advisory & Modelling
• Airport Planning, Design & Operations
• Airport Infrastructure Assessment
• Cost Planning
• Concession Contracts Review
• Construction & Operations Monitoring

Key responsibilities and duties include:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including planning, engineering, operations, and finance to deliver integrated solutions
• Engaging with aviation clients, demonstrating excellent knowledge assimilation and applying this to project assignments
• Prepare and deliver high-quality technical reports, proposals, and presentations for both internal and external stakeholders
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior team members, fostering professional growth and knowledge sharing
• Lead projects as both Technical Lead and Project Manager, ensuring quality, timeliness, and client satisfaction
• Undertake client visits both domestically and abroad, to support project delivery and strengthen client relationships

Candidate specification

Essential:

• A background in civil engineering or a degree that includes elements of Civil Engineering
• Ideally professionally qualified as a Member of a recognised Engineering Institution such as the Institution of Civil Engineers or equivalent
• Demonstrable experience in the aviation industry, or the ability to demonstrate equivalent transferrable skills from another relevant industry
• Broad experience across the airport lifecycle —from traffic forecasting, planning and design to operations and business advisory
• The right to work in Spain
• Fluency in English – knowledge of other languages will be valued as an advantage
• Willingness to travel internationally as required

We are looking for candidates with the following characteristics:

• Proactive and with a learning mindset
• The ability to engage as part of a multi-disciplinary team and a diverse range of projects
• Problem solver, attention to detail with the ability to work efficiently and independently
• Able to lead and undertake technical reviews, oversee and/or undertake tasks for the production of project deliverables including reports, drawings and presentations
• Ability to organise, manage and supervise from small, medium projects to large workstreams, including resources across various disciplines
• An ability to work under a flexible (agile) working arrangement both in office and remotely
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, which allow you to confidently liaise with clients and lead cross-functional teams
• Proven ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• Advanced user of Word, PowerPoint and Excel

We are actively recruiting a diverse workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve. We recognise that differences in ability, skills and experience are a strength and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. 

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

• Competitive annual leave
• Pension scheme 
• Life insurance
• An annual professional institution subscription
• Private medical insurance 
• Optional benefits via salary sacrifice (restaurant voucher/transport card/day care voucher)
• Continuous development opportunities – because we want you to thrive  
• Agile/flexible working – because life isn’t 9-5  
• Annual bonus scheme  
• Wellbeing support including access to an independent Employer Assistance Scheme, wellbeing champions and access to learning and support resources 
• Access to our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability and parents/carers communities 
• The opportunity to make a difference; learn more about our social outcomes

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long-term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Agile working 

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion 

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

AI Usage

At Mott MacDonald, we see the value AI can bring, but we take a people-first approach to hiring. While AI tools can help candidates prepare and build confidence, every application and hiring decision is reviewed by our recruitment and hiring teams. We encourage the responsible use of AI while ensuring we get to know the real person behind the application.

Accessibility

We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

Apply now, or for more information about our application process, click here.