Antarctic Airfield Manager

Leidos Inc; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking an Airfield Manager to support the United States Antarctic Program (USAP). The Airfield Manager will supervise daily airfield operations at McMurdo and South Pole.

Deployment to Antarctica is required for about seven months. A Public Trust clearance is required and a 4-month background check may occur. The anticipated salary range is $115,000–$125,000, with deployed pay adjustments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aviation management, airport operations, engineering or business administration.
• Vehicle Operator License issued by a U.S. state, district, territory or other country.
• At least five years of diversified airfields operations or aviation management experience.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage a multi-skilled workforce on airfields.
• Airfield Management training, military or civilian.

Responsibilities

• Act as liaison with NSF, military, contractors on airfield construction, maintenance and operation.
• Lead on-continent Airfield Management activities for McMurdo and South Pole.
• Coordinate airfield flight support capability and services with NSF and area orgs.
• Oversee airfield inspections and runway status and NOTAM related duties.
• Ensure compliance with ASC, NSF, CRREL and USAF airfield regulations.

Skills

Vehicle Operator License

Airfield Operations

Leadership

Multi-skilled Workforce Management

Airfield Management Training

Education

Bachelor's Degree in aviation management, airport operations, engineering or business administration

Job description

Description

This is an alternate position, and will only be officially onboarded should the already identified primary candidate withdraw from consideration or be deemed unfit for deployment.

Airfield Manager

Leidos is seeking an Airfield Manager to support the United States Antarctic Program (USAP). The Airfield Manager will supervise daily airfield operations of the local McMurdo Station and South Pole airfields.

*** Deployment to Antarctica is required in this role. Deployment length is expected to be for 7 months. The candidate in the position must complete the physical and dental examinations required by the NSF for deploying to Antarctica. ***

This position requires a Public Trust security clearance investigation prior to start date. This process may take up to 4 months to complete.

US citizenship or permanent residence is required.

The anticipated salary range for this role will be $115,000 - $125,000, along with an increase in pay while deployed.

About the Antarctic Support Contract:

Leidos Antarctic Support Contract (ASC) is the prime contractor to the National Science Foundation (NSF) in support of the United States Antarctic Program (USAP). Leidos supports the NSF's Office of Polar Program's Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics by aligning with their Mission and Vision Statements:

• Vision:Expanding our scientific reach in Antarctica through increased operational and logistical effectiveness.

• Mission:To provide the operational and logistical platform necessary for the U.S. to conduct world-class science in Antarctica and maintain its active and influential presence on the continent.

Leidos ASC provides science and logistics support for approximately 150 science and technical events across three geographically remote research stations; McMurdo Station, Palmer Station, and South Pole Station and several deep field sites across Antarctica. Each station or field site supports world class research across multiple science disciplines. The planning and implementation of science support requirements in Antarctica is a critical part of our mission.

The Challenge:

• Acts as liaison with National Science Foundation (NSF), military and other contractors, subcontractors, and Antarctic Support Contract (ASC) departments regarding the construction, maintenance and operation of the airfields and airfield facilities.

• Primary point of contact for all on-continent Airfield Management activities and inquiries while at McMurdo Station regarding both McMurdo Station and South Pole Station airfield activities.

• Leads all coordination with NSF, area organizations and departments regarding airfield flight support capability and airfield services.

• Manages airfields and airfield maintenance in accordance with ASC, NSF, US Army Corps of Engineers Cold Regions Research and Engineering Lab (CRREL) procedures/policies, and United States Air Force (USAF) Airfield Engineering requirements.

• Oversees airfield inspections and runway condition reports.

• Reports airfield status and coordinates support at NSF Town Hall, Air Operations Planning Board (AOPB), and all other meetings as required.

• Coordinates the annual certification activities for Phoenix Airfield for submittal to NSF.

• Coordinates support for airfield surface, Mobile Runway Support Facility (MRSF), navigational aid (NAVAID), and other utility maintenance.

• Resolves technical discrepancies with airfield regulations in coordination with other contractors and agencies.

• Reports airfield facility status and changes to primary USAP airfield users - senior NSF officials, New York Air National Guard (NYANG) 109th and Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC), in a timely and professional manner.

• Follows technical support in the following areas; International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requirements, federal and military air regulations (Federal Aviation Administration and Air Force), aeronautical chart and maps, publications, flight data and Notice to Airmen (NOTAM). systems, familiarity with navigational aids, aircraft design characteristics, meteorology, and airfield operations and management functions.

• Collects and interprets airfield conditions and related data to provide technical and operational continuity for the airfield facilities.

• Provides ASC administrative and management continuity by maintaining current and historical files and monitoring progress on a year-to-year basis. Provide annual end of season report.

• Handle confidential matters (personnel actions, management reports, etc.) in accordance with management policy.

• Train and orient subordinate employees on performance, documentation and activities that affect the achievement McMurdo station operations.

• Adequately and honestly track all data related to metrics.

• Comply with all NSF/ASC Environmental, Health & Safety, and Quality Assurance, requirements and goals. Provide documentation to these divisions as necessary to ensure adequate and legal documentation.

• Ensure that all subordinate employees are trained and understand ASC Environmental Health & Safety, and Quality Assurance, requirements and goals. Maintain documentation as necessary to meet these requirements.

• Responsible for implementing and maintaining a safe workplace program and ensuring that safety is the highest priority on the airfields.

• Monitors and statuses progress against planned schedules.

• Administers Airfield Driver Safety Training test.

• Comply with applicable safety, environment, health, and waste management policies and procedure.

What Sets You Apart:

• Bachelor's Degree (preferably in aviation management, airport operations, engineering and/or business administration) and at least eight (8+) years of prior relevant experience; relevant experience will be considered in lieu of degree.

• Vehicle Operator License issued by a U.S. state, district, territory or other country required.

• A minimum of five years of diversified experience in airfields operations and/or aviation management.

• Career record must include the demonstrated ability to work with and independently manage a multiple skilled work force on airfields.

• Airfield Management training, military or civilian technical school required.

You May Also Have:

• Practical knowledge of extreme cold weather conditions as they relate to airfield activities or the ability to interpret sea ice conditions desirable.

• Experience with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requirements, federal and military air regulations (FAA and U.S. Air Force), aeronautical chart and maps, publications, flight data and NOTAM systems, familiarity with navigational aids, aircraft design characteristics, meteorology, and airfield management operations.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

April 14, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:

Pay Range $92,300.00 - $166,850.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

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Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.