Southeast US Airport Engineering Discipline Lead - Aviation

WHAT LJA HAS TO OFFER

LJA is offering an exciting opportunity that will allow you to reach your full career potential. The structure of our organization is designed to amplify your capabilities while gaining the benefits of being an employee-owner. What truly sets this opportunity apart is the chance to collaborate every day with dedicated, skilled, and supportive leaders. Whether you are in the office, in the field, or behind the scenes, working at LJA gives you the chance to grow through hands-on experience and exposure to a broad range of clients and services.

WHAT MAKES LJA DIFFERENT

At LJA, our employee-owners take pride in their work and their workplace. We’re guided by leaders who foster a culture of respect, collaboration and a shared vision of success. Our difference is evident in the experiences and opportunities we provide:

• Employee-owned. Client-focused
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Consistently ranked as a Top Workplace
• Internal recruitment team, in-house training, and a marketing department specific to our industry
• We celebrate flexibility, allowing every team and office to lead with their proven approach
• Our culture champions continuous learning and personal growth
• We believe success comes through constant evolution and communication
• We are passionate about having fun and making money, all while creating impact

POSITION OVERVIEW: As a Airport Engineering Discipline Lead at LJA Transportation, you will spearhead the planning/engineering market development program in the Southeast 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 Southeast US Airport market region.

A TYPICAL DAY MIGHT INCLUDE:

• Provide strategic leadership and technical oversight for aviation planning/engineering projects in the Southeast 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.
• Participate in business development activities, including identifying opportunities, building client relationships, leading proposals, and conducting presentations.
• Represent the company at state and national aviation engineering forums, technical panels, and professional conferences (e.g., ACC, AAAE, ACI-NA).
• Stay current with FAA regulations, engineering best practices, and emerging technologies relevant to airport design and construction.
• Serve as a thought leader, contributing to white papers, best practices, and planning

REQUIRED EDUCATION/LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS:

• 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 QUALIFICATIONS:

• 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.

LEVEL UP WITH LJA

At LJA, we’re 100% employee-owned. This drives results, rewards ambition and supports long-term success for every team member. With almost 100 locations and 3,000+ employee-owners (and growing), we’re building something big! We want you to be part of it. Your future grows here.

• Generous Time Off: PTO, paid holidays, and a full office closure between Christmas and New Year’s.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Multiple plan options for health, dental, and pets. Along with mental health support.
• Family Support: Paid maternity and parental leave to help you focus on what matters most.
• Education Support: Tuition reimbursement and in-house courses provided by our Learning and Development team.
• Referral Bonuses: Know great talent? Get rewarded for helping us grow.
• Community Impact: Company-sponsored volunteer days and philanthropic initiatives.
• Professional Development: Memberships to industry organizations to keep you connected and growing.
• Career Growth: Great internal mobility opportunities to advance your career.
• Fun Culture: LJA social events, employee sports teams, bring your kid to work day, etc.

To Executive Search Firms & Staffing Agencies: LJA Engineering, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes from any agencies that have not signed a service agreement. All unsolicited resumes will be considered LJA's property. This includes resumes submitted directly to hiring managers without contacting LJA's Human Resources Talent Department.