Baggage Handling Systems (BHS) Aviation Lead

Jacobs Engineering Group; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 275,000 - 315,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work policy

Job summary

Jacobs Engineering Group in the United States is seeking a Baggage Handling Systems Aviation Lead to drive planning, design, and delivery of baggage handling solutions for airports. You will provide technical leadership across the full lifecycle, coordinating with authorities, airlines, and contractors to improve operational performance and airport capacity.

The role requires extensive experience in BHS technologies, project leadership, and the ability to travel domestically and internationally.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Airport Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 15–20 years of experience in aviation infrastructure, baggage handling systems, or airport operations.
• Strong understanding of airport baggage handling operations and passenger terminal planning.
• Knowledge of IATA standards and airport design practices.
• Experience with capacity modeling and simulation tools.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit, BIM workflows, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Project management and stakeholder engagement experience.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally to airports and project sites as required.
• Ability to provide occasional after-hours support during commissioning and operational cutovers.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and design of baggage handling systems for new airport terminals, expansions, and modernization programs.
• Develop system layouts, baggage flow strategies, operational concepts, capacity analyses, and demand forecasts.
• Prepare design criteria, technical reports, specifications, and engineering documentation.
• Evaluate BHS technologies, including conveyors, EBS, ICS, RFID tracking, CBIS, and automated sortation.
• Lead BHS scope, schedule, budget, quality, and project risk management activities.
• Coordinate with mechanical, electrical, structural, civil, architectural, airport planning, and operations teams.
• Support procurement through RFP development, technical evaluations, and vendor selection.
• Review contractor submittals, shop drawings, and system integration plans.
• Support FAT, SAT, commissioning, and operational readiness activities.
• Build trusted relationships with airport authorities, airlines, security agencies, and other aviation stakeholders.
• Lead client workshops, technical meetings, and presentations.
• Support proposals, project pursuits, and client development within the aviation market.
• Mentor and support the development of engineering and technical team members.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Travel internationally

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

BIM workflows

Microsoft Office

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

At Jacobs, we’re transforming how people and communities connect through innovative, resilient infrastructure. As our Baggage Handling Systems (BHS) Aviation Lead, you’ll help airport clients plan, design, and deliver baggage handling solutions that improve operational performance, passenger experience, and long-term airport capacity.

In this key role, you’ll provide technical leadership across the full project lifecycle, from master planning and concept development through detailed design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and operational optimization. Working alongside airport authorities, airlines, operations teams, contractors, and multidisciplinary design professionals, you’ll help deliver safe, efficient, and scalable BHS solutions while strengthening client relationships and supporting the continued growth of our aviation practice.

What you'll do

• Lead the planning and design of baggage handling systems for new airport terminals, expansions, and modernization programs.
• Develop system layouts, baggage flow strategies, operational concepts, capacity analyses, and demand forecasts.
• Prepare design criteria, technical reports, specifications, and engineering documentation.
• Evaluate BHS technologies, including conventional and high-speed conveyors, Early Bag Storage (EBS), Individual Carrier Systems (ICS), RFID tracking, Checked Baggage Inspection Systems (CBIS), and automated sortation.
• Lead BHS scope, schedule, budget, quality, and project risk management activities.
• Coordinate with mechanical, electrical, structural, civil, architectural, airport planning, and operations teams.
• Support procurement through RFP development, technical evaluations, and vendor selection.
• Review contractor submittals, shop drawings, and system integration plans.
• Support factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), commissioning, operational readiness, and system cutovers.
• Build trusted relationships with airport authorities, airlines, security agencies, operations teams, and other aviation stakeholders.
• Lead client workshops, technical meetings, and presentations.
• Support proposals, project pursuits, and client development within the aviation market.
• Mentor and support the development of engineering and technical team members.

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Here's what you'll need

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Airport Engineering, or a related discipline
• 15–20 years of experience in aviation infrastructure, baggage handling systems, material handling systems, or airport operations
• Strong understanding of airport baggage handling operations and passenger terminal planning
• Knowledge of IATA standards and airport design practices
• Experience with capacity modeling and simulation tools
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit, BIM workflows, and Microsoft Office applications
• Project management and stakeholder engagement experience
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally to airports and project sites as required
• Ability to provide occasional after-hours support during commissioning and operational cutovers

Ideally, you'll also have

• Experience delivering projects in active airport operational environments.
• Experience working with major BHS suppliers such as Siemens Logistics, Vanderlande, BEUMER Group, Daifuku, or Alstef Group
• Experience supporting BHS procurement, testing, commissioning, and operational readiness
• Demonstrated experience developing client relationships and supporting aviation project pursuits
• Experience mentoring or developing engineering and technical professionals

The base salary range for this position is $275,000.00 to $315,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Job posted on November 09, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

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.