Senior Airfield Design Manager

Jacobs; United Arab Emirates; Hybrid; AED 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Senior Airfield Manager to lead the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of airfield infrastructure, including runways, taxiways, aprons, drainage, and airfield lighting. You will ensure regulatory compliance, safety, and successful delivery of aviation projects.

Ideal candidates will have 20+ years in engineering with 12+ years in airport projects, strong knowledge of ICAO/FAA standards, and PMP/PE/CEng or equivalent. Middle East airport experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Airport, or Infrastructure Engineering.
• 20+ years of engineering experience, including at least 12 years in airport projects.
• Strong knowledge of airfield pavements, ICAO Annex 14, FAA standards, and construction management.
• Experience delivering projects in operational airport environments.
• Professional certification (PMP, PE, CEng, or equivalent) is an advantage.
• Middle East project experience in airports preferable.

Responsibilities

• Lead airfield engineering design and project delivery activities.
• Manage runway, taxiway, apron, and pavement rehabilitation projects.
• Review engineering designs, specifications, contractor submissions, and technical reports.
• Coordinate with airport operations, ATC, regulators, consultants, and contractors.
• Ensure compliance with ICAO, FAA, GCAA-UAE, GACA-KSA, and airport standards.
• Support asset management, CAPEX planning, safety assessments, and BIM/GIS implementation.

Skills

Technical leadership

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Communication

Multi-discipline interface

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil, Airport, or Infrastructure Engineering

Tools

Civil 3D

BIM

GIS

ACC/CDE platform

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

We are seeking an experienced Senior Airfield Manager to lead the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of airfield infrastructure, including runways, taxiways, aprons, drainage, and airfield ground lighting systems. The role ensures regulatory compliance, operational safety, and successful delivery of aviation projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead airfield engineering design and project delivery activities.
• Manage runway, taxiway, apron, and pavement rehabilitation projects.
• Review engineering designs, specifications, contractor submissions, and technical reports.
• Coordinate with airport operations, ATC, regulators, consultants, and contractors.
• Ensure compliance with ICAO, FAA, GCAA-UAE. GACA-KSA, and airport standards.
• Support asset management, CAPEX planning, safety assessments, and Civil 3D/BIM/GIS implementation.

Here's what you'll need

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Airport, or Infrastructure Engineering.
• 20+ years of engineering experience, including at least 12 years in airport projects.
• Strong knowledge of airfield pavements, ICAO Annex 14, FAA standards, and construction management.
• Experience delivering projects in operational airport environments.
• Professional certification (PMP, PE, CEng, or equivalent) is an advantage.
• Middle East Project Experience in Airports preferable.

Key Competencies

• Technical leadership
• Project management
• Stakeholder engagement
• Risk management
• Problem solving and decision making
• Excellent communication skills
• Interface and coordination with multi-disciplines.
• Knowledge in ACC/CDE platform including model collaboration and federation.

From our inclusive employee networks to our positive mental health champions - we're committed to driving a culture of caring where you can be you. Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally - and together, our diverse perspectives and unique backgrounds power our collective strength. We collaborate and share! By supporting one another, we all succeed.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we've gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You'll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits and opportunities to do good too - from participating in our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place.

No matter what drives you, you'll discover how you can cultivate, nurture and achieve your goals - all at a single global company.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we're keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.