Aviation Project Manager

WSP; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 143,000 - 244,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in Los Angeles is seeking an Aviation Project Manager to lead planning, design, and delivery of complex airport infrastructure projects for commercial airports and aviation facilities nationwide.

You will guide multidisciplinary teams, manage scopes, budgets, and schedules, and coordinate with airport authorities and regulators to drive project quality and stakeholder satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, construction management, architecture, aviation management, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience managing aviation infrastructure, airport development, transportation, or complex capital improvement projects.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary project teams.
• Experience managing project budgets, schedules, contracts, and client relationships.
• Working knowledge of FAA regulations, airport design standards, and aviation project delivery processes.

Responsibilities

• Manage aviation projects from planning through design, permitting, construction, and closeout.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams of engineers, planners, architects, and environmental specialists.
• Develop and manage project scopes, schedules, budgets, staffing plans, and risk strategies.
• Monitor performance and provide updates on schedule, budget, quality, and milestones.
• Coordinate with airport authorities, airlines, FAA, contractors, and consultants.
• Ensure compliance with FAA advisories, airport standards, and local codes.
• Facilitate project meetings and communications with clients and teams.
• Manage project financial performance, resource utilization, and contracts.
• Review technical deliverables and QC documentation for excellence.
• Identify and mitigate risks and propose solutions to challenges.
• Support business development, proposals, and client relationships.
• Mentor junior staff and grow WSP’s aviation practice.
• Participate in industry organizations and conferences.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder coordination

Communication

Regulatory awareness

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering

Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management

Bachelor's Degree in Architecture

Bachelor's Degree in Aviation Management

Job description

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for an Aviation Project Manager in our Los Angeles, CA area offices to support the continued growth of our Aviation practice. This individual will lead the planning, design, and delivery of complex airport infrastructure projects for commercial airports, general aviation facilities, and aviation-related transportation programs nationwide.

The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to airport clients and lead multidisciplinary teams through all phases of project development, from planning and environmental studies through design, construction, and project closeout. The role requires strong project management experience, client relationship skills, and technical understanding of aviation infrastructure projects.

Your Impact

• Manage aviation projects from planning through design, permitting, construction, and closeout.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams consisting of engineers, planners, architects, environmental specialists, and construction professionals.
• Develop and manage project scopes, schedules, budgets, staffing plans, and risk management strategies.
• Monitor project performance and provide regular updates regarding schedule, budget, quality, and delivery milestones.
• Coordinate with airport authorities, airlines, FAA representatives, contractors, consultants, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with FAA Advisory Circulars, airport design standards, local codes, and regulatory requirements.
• Facilitate project meetings and oversee project communications with clients and internal teams.
• Manage project financial performance, resource utilization, and contract administration.
• Review technical deliverables and quality-control documentation to ensure project excellence.
• Identify and mitigate project risks and recommend solutions to technical and operational challenges.
• Support business development efforts, proposal preparation, and client relationship management.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to the continued growth of WSP's aviation practice.
• Participate in industry organizations, conferences, and networking events to expand WSP's aviation market presence.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Aviation Management, or a related field.
• 10+ years of professional experience managing aviation infrastructure, airport development, transportation, or complex capital improvement projects.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary project teams.
• Experience managing project budgets, schedules, contracts, and client relationships.
• Working knowledge of FAA regulations, airport design standards, and aviation project delivery processes.
• Strong understanding of project controls, risk management, and stakeholder coordination.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and competing priorities.
• Ability to work collaboratively with clients, contractors, regulatory agencies, and internal project teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Experience supporting Airport Capital Improvement Programs (ACIP).
• Experience with airfield design, terminal improvements, landside facilities, roadway infrastructure, utility upgrades, or airport expansion programs.
• Experience working at major hub, medium-hub, or large commercial service airports.
• Familiarity with FAA grant processes and airport funding programs.
• Master's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related discipline.
• Active participation in AAAE, ACC, ASCE, SAME, or other aviation industry organizations.

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): $143,000 - $244,000

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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