Aviation Design Manager

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for an Aviation Design Manager to support the continued growth of our Aviation practice in the New York/New Jersey area. This leadership role is responsible for managing the design and delivery of complex aviation infrastructure projects, including airfield, landside, terminal, and airport development programs. The successful candidate will lead multidisciplinary teams through planning, design, and construction while supporting client development, project delivery excellence, and strategic growth initiatives. 

The Aviation Design Manager will serve as a technical leader and trusted advisor to airport clients, ensuring the successful execution of projects that meet airport design standards and FAA requirements, client objectives, and WSP quality standards. 

Your Impact

• Lead and manage aviation design projects from concept through construction.
• Direct multidisciplinary teams on airfield, terminal, landside, and airport infrastructure projects.
• Develop project scopes, schedules, budgets, staffing plans, and technical approaches.
• Ensure compliance with FAA Advisory Circulars, airport design standards, and applicable regulations.
• Oversee design quality, constructability reviews, and risk management activities.
• Coordinate with airport owners, airlines, regulatory agencies, and project stakeholders.
• Serve as a technical resource for runway, taxiway, apron, drainage, utility, and terminal-related improvements.
• Manage project financial performance, resource utilization, and delivery metrics.
• Support business development activities, client account management, proposal preparation, and pursuit strategies.
• Mentor junior engineers and project managers while fostering technical growth and collaboration.
• Participate in industry organizations, conferences, and client meetings to strengthen WSP's aviation market presence.
• Collaborate with national aviation leadership to support strategic growth initiatives and major airport programs. 

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or related engineering, planning, or architecture discipline.
• 12+ years of aviation engineering or planning and experience focused on airport infrastructure projects.
• Engineering License or ability to obtain (additional years of experienced considered in lieu of license).
• Strong knowledge of FAA design standards, airport design criteria, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong knowledge of PANYNJ planning, design and construction standards.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary design teams and complex aviation projects.
• Demonstrated experience with PANYNJ airport redevelopment program(s)
• Experience with major hub airports and Airport Capital Improvement Programs.
• Experience coordinating projects through planning, environmental review, design, permitting, and construction.
• Strong client relationship management and business development skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication abilities.
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and competing priorities. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master's Degree in Engineering or related field.
• Experience with airfield design including runways, taxiways, apron facilities, grading, drainage, and pavement systems.
• Familiarity with FAA software and tools including FAARFIELD, COMFAA, and OE/AAA processes.
• Experience supporting pursuit efforts, capture planning, and proposal development.
• Previous supervisory or design management experience within a consulting environment.

WSP Benefits

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

Compensation

Expected Salary (all locations): $149,300-$285,000.

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

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