National Aviation Practice Lead
Job Summary
A nationally recognized, multi‑disciplinary engineering firm is seeking a Civil Engineering Practice Lead to lead and expand its growing national aviation practice across the United States. This role is responsible for building and scaling a client‑focused aviation civil engineering practice while serving as a technical leader on complex airside and landside airport infrastructure projects.
The practice delivers civil, geotechnical, and environmental engineering services for aviation clients ranging from general aviation facilities to some of the largest and most complex terminal and airport development programs currently underway in the United States. This position offers the opportunity to shape the future direction of a national aviation platform within a collaborative, entrepreneurial, and growth‑oriented environment.
The ideal candidate is a proven seller‑doer with deep technical credibility, strong industry relationships, and a demonstrated ability to build teams, win work, and remain actively billable.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development, growth, and day‑to‑day management of a national aviation civil engineering practice.
- Drive business development activities with public and private aviation clients nationwide, securing federal, state, and privately funded airport projects.
- Bring an established book of civil design work, with the expectation of generating approximately $1 to $5 million in annual billable design revenue and building a team of 3 to 10 professionals within the first 18 months.
- Serve as technical lead on aviation civil engineering projects, including preparation and oversight of engineering designs, plans, specifications, and cost estimates.
- Provide hands‑on design leadership across airside and landside elements, including grading, drainage, utilities, rigid and flexible pavements, aircraft movement and parking areas, aprons, GSE areas, terminals, roadways, parking facilities, and associated infrastructure.
- Lead projects through all phases including conceptual planning, airport layout planning support, FAA coordination, permitting, detailed design, bidding, construction support, and close‑out.
- Maintain a high level of personal billability, with an expectation of 50 percent or more billable utilization.
- Build, manage, mentor, and inspire multidisciplinary teams, supporting both in‑person and remote staff.
- Recruit, hire, and develop technical staff to support practice growth.
- Collaborate with other technical disciplines to cross‑sell aviation‑related services across the United States.
- Operate with an entrepreneurial mindset, effectively building and managing the practice as if launching a standalone business while leveraging firmwide resources.
- Maintain strong client relationships built on trust, responsiveness, and technical excellence.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering.
- 15 or more years of progressive experience in civil engineering with a strong focus on aviation projects.
- Professional Engineer registration in at least one United States jurisdiction, with the ability to obtain licensure in additional states.
- Significant hands‑on design experience on airport and FAA‑regulated projects, including both small and large airports.
- Expertise in the application of FAA Advisory Circulars for airport planning, design, and construction.
- Experience preparing Airport Layout Plans and supporting FAA approvals and permitting processes.
- Proven track record as a seller‑doer, including successful pursuit and delivery of aviation civil engineering work.
- Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage workloads, and deliver projects on time and within budget.
- Strong understanding of airport funding mechanisms, including federal and state airport improvement programs.
- Proficiency with standard engineering and aviation planning tools, including common office software and aviation‑specific design applications.
- Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining a high level of quality.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a national team environment.
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel as needed for client meetings and site visits within the United States.
FAQs
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