Baggage Handling Systems (BHS) Aviation Lead

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

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Baggage Handling Systems (BHS) Aviation Lead to guide airport clients through planning, design, and delivery of baggage handling solutions that improve operations, passenger experience, and capacity. You will lead multi-disciplinary teams and manage scope, schedule, budget, and risk across North America.

This role requires a strong background in mechanical/airport systems engineering, knowledge of IATA standards, and hands-on tools like AutoCAD, Revit, and BIM.

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, material handling systems, or airport operations.
• Experience delivering airport terminal development projects across North America.
• 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 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.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Mentoring

Communication

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Airport Engineering, or a related discipline

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

BIM workflows

Microsoft Office

Capacity modeling tools

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.

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.

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
• Experience delivering airport terminal development projects across North America
• 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

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has a U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

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.

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.