Antarctic Airfield Manager

Leidos Inc; United States; On-site; USD 115,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Wellness programs

Paid Leave

Retirement plans

Job summary

Leidos Inc is seeking an experienced Airfield Manager to support the United States Antarctic Program. The role involves supervising operations at McMurdo Station and South Pole airfields, ensuring safety compliance, and leading a multi-skilled workforce in extreme conditions.

Applicants should have over ten years of experience in airfield operations or aviation management and must possess a relevant degree. Deployment to Antarctica for approximately seven months is required.

Competitive compensation and benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum of ten years of relevant experience in airfield operations or aviation management.
• Public Trust clearance and U.S. citizenship or permanent residency required.
• Vehicle Operator License issued by a U.S. state or territory.

Responsibilities

• Supervise daily airfield operations at McMurdo Station and South Pole airfields.
• Act as liaison with NSF and coordinate with various contractors.
• Manage airfield maintenance in accordance with ASC and military standards.

Skills

Airfield operations management

Aircraft design knowledge

Safety compliance

Leadership

Cold weather operations experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aviation management or related field

Job description

Position Overview

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

Deployment to Antarctica is required; the assignment is expected to last approximately 7 months. Candidates must complete the physical and dental examinations required by the NSF for deployment, and a Public Trust security clearance investigation (which may take up to 4 months) is required prior to start. US citizenship or permanent residence is required.

The anticipated salary range for this role is $115,000 – $125,000, with an increase in pay while deployed.

Leidos Antarctic Support Contract (ASC) is the prime contractor to the NSF in support of the USAP. The ASC provides science and logistics support for approximately 150 research events across three remote stations: McMurdo, Palmer, and South Pole.

Responsibilities

• Acts as liaison with NSF, military and other contractors, subcontractors, and ASC departments concerning the construction, maintenance and operation of the airfields.
• Primary point of contact for all on‑continent airfield management activities and inquiries at McMurdo and South Pole stations.
• Leads coordination with NSF, area organizations and departments regarding airfield flight support capability and services.
• Manages airfields and maintenance in accordance with ASC, NSF, US Army Corps of Engineers Cold Regions Research and Engineering Lab procedures, and US Air Force airfield engineering requirements.
• Oversees airfield inspections and runway condition reports.
• Reports airfield status and coordinates support at NSF Town Hall, Air Operations Planning Board and other required meetings.
• Coordinates annual certification activities for Phoenix Airfield for submission to NSF.
• Coordinates support for airfield surface, mobile runway support, navigational aid and other utility maintenance.
• Resolves technical discrepancies with airfield regulations in coordination with other contractors.
• Reports airfield facility status and changes to primary USAP airfield users – senior NSF officials, New York Air National Guard and Naval Information Warfare Center.
• Provides technical support on ICAO requirements, federal and military air regulations, aeronautical charts, publications, flight data and NOTAM systems, navigational aids, aircraft design, meteorology and airfield operations.
• Collects and interprets airfield condition data to provide operational continuity.
• Maintains current and historical files, monitors year‑to‑year progress and prepares annual end‑of‑season reports.
• Handles confidential matters per management policy.
• Trains and orients subordinate employees on performance, documentation and activities that impact McMurdo operations.
• Tracks all data related to airfield metrics.
• Complies with all NSF/ASC Environmental, Health & Safety, and Quality Assurance requirements, and provides documentation to relevant divisions.
• Ensures all subordinate employees are trained in ASC Environmental Health & Safety and Quality Assurance requirements and maintains supporting documentation.
• Manages a safe workplace program and prioritizes safety on the airfields.
• Monitors status against planned schedules.
• Administers Airfield Driver Safety training test.
• Complies with applicable safety, environmental, health and waste management policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• Minimum of ten (10+) years of relevant experience in airfield operations or aviation management; or a bachelor’s degree (preferably in aviation management, airport operations, engineering or business administration) plus equivalent experience.
• Vehicle Operator License issued by a U.S. state, district, territory or other country.
• Minimum five years of diversified experience in airfield operations and/or aviation management.
• Demonstrated ability to work with and independently manage a multi‑skilled workforce on airfields.
• Airfield Management training, military or civilian technical school required.
• Public Trust clearance and U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.

You May Also Have

• Practical knowledge of extreme cold weather conditions and their impact on airfield activities, or ability to interpret sea ice conditions.
• Experience with ICAO requirements, federal and military air regulations, aeronautical charts, NOTAM systems, navigational aids, aircraft design characteristics, meteorology and airfield management operations.

Pay and Benefits

Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. Additional information is available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

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.