South-Central US Airport Engineering Discipline Lead - Aviation

Title: South-Central US Airport Engineering Discipline Lead

Division: Aviation

LJA recognizes that our success depends on the quality of the people we hire. We are currently seeking highly talented individuals that take pride in their work, function exceptionally well in team environments, and contribute to the overall success of the company. As a 100% employee-owned company, we promote an entrepreneurial spirit that helps drive the bottom line and the long-term professional and financial success of our employees. With more than 80+ office locations, LJA is growing and ready for talented people to help us build our future.

Summary: This pivotal hire will spearhead the planning/engineering market development program in the Southcentral US. This hire will develop the market and build a team that will serve as the program manager for all airport planning and engineering projects in that market. Airport planners and engineers with piloting experience bring a unique and invaluable perspective to airport engineering projects. Their firsthand understanding of aviation operations enhances their ability to design practical, pilot-friendly solutions, setting them apart from competitors. This dual expertise serves as a powerful differentiator, offering airport sponsors the advantage of collaborating with professionals who truly understand the needs of both the airport and the aviators it serves. Additionally, this leader will collaborate with other LJA planning/engineering disciplines to strategically grow the airport planning/engineering footprint across LJA’s Southcentral US Airport market region.

General Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership and technical oversight for aviation planning/engineering projects in the Southcentral US, ensuring alignment with client needs and organizational objectives.
• Serve as the senior leader for complex airport planning and infrastructure projects, including airport master plans, airport layout plans, runways, taxiways, aprons, drainage systems, utility infrastructure, and airside/landside
• Guide teams through all project phases planning, design, permitting, bidding, and construction support while ensuring compliance with FAA standards and local agency requirements.
• Act as a primary point of contact for key clients, including airport sponsors, FAA and state aviation representatives, and local jurisdictions.
• Lead and mentor multidisciplinary project teams, fostering a collaborative and high- performance work culture.
• Coordinate with internal departments including CAD design Hub, operational support lead, engineering, environmental, architecture, survey, and GIS to integrate planning initiatives across
• Oversee technical quality control/assurance processes, ensuring the delivery of accurate, cost- effective, and constructible solutions.

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in airport/aviation management, Airport Planning or Civil Engineering or related engineering
• Master’s degree is a plus, especially in fields related to airport planning, civil engineering, transportation, infrastructure, construction management, or business management.
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license may be required; multi-state licensure or ability to obtain is a
• Ongoing professional development through industry certifications or training

Required Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in airport planning or civil engineering is required, with a strong track record of FAA-funded airport projects. Candidates with 20 or more years of experience are strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing large-scale airside and landside engineering projects for commercial service and general aviation airports.
• Proven success in leading multi-disciplinary teams, managing budgets/schedules, and delivering results on time and within scope.
• In-depth knowledge of FAA Advisory Circulars (particularly AC 150 series), Airport Improvement Program (AIP), and other regulatory frameworks.
• Strong background in engineering design and project management software (e.g., Civil 3D, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, and drainage modeling tools).
• Experience with construction phasing, cost estimation, and coordination with contractors and airport operations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for both internal team collaboration and external client engagement.
• Strong business acumen with experience in strategic growth, client development, and proposal leadership.