California Aviation Operations Leader

RS&H; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 235,000 - 258,000; Full time

Job summary

RS&H is seeking an experienced Operations Leader to guide the California Aviation practice's performance, delivery, and growth in Los Angeles. This hands-on role blends technical leadership with strategic leadership to deliver complex airport programs with rigor and accountability.

You will oversee financial and operational results, mentor a 15-person team, and build strong client relationships with major airports across California, starting from Los Angeles-based projects at LAX and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (ABET-accredited) or equivalent.
• Current California Professional Engineer license.
• 15+ years in aviation/airfield, with leadership.
• 10+ years leading technical teams and project delivery.
• Proven PM/PO experience delivering aviation projects.
• Ability to manage scope, schedule, budget, quality and risk.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operational and financial performance of the California aviation practice.
• Lead airport planning and design projects from kickoff to completion.
• Maintain accountability for scope, schedule, budget, quality & risk.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to aviation teams.
• Partner with leaders to advance business plans and growth.
• Strengthen relationships with airport clients and stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Client relationships

Strategic planning

Mentoring

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

California Professional Engineer license

Job description

The Opportunity

RS&H is seeking an experienced Operations Leader to lead the performance, project delivery, and continued growth of our California Aviation practice. This is a hands-on leadership role for a technically strong aviation professional who takes pride in delivering complex airport projects with rigor, clarity, and accountability. The California aviation team includes approximately 15 professionals, primarily based in Los Angeles, with additional support from planning, environmental, architecture, and other technical teams across the firm. Current work includes projects at LAX, Ontario, Oakland, Sacramento, Palm Springs, Orange County, Burbank, and other commercial and regional airports.

Why Join RS&H?

This is an opportunity to lead complex, highly visible airport work while shaping the continued growth of our California aviation practice. As an employee-owned firm, RS&H offers the resources and reach of a national organization along with meaningful leadership responsibility, technical influence, and the ability to make a lasting impact.

About The Role

The Operations Leader will oversee operational and financial performance, serve as a Senior Project Manager or Project Officer on significant projects, develop a high-performing team, and strengthen relationships with airport clients throughout California.

Responsibilities

Project Delivery and Technical Leadership

• Serve as a Senior Project Manager or Project Officer for significant aviation projects and programs.
• Lead airport planning and design projects from kickoff through completion.
• Maintain accountability for project scope, schedule, budget, quality, risk management, and contract compliance.
• Provide senior technical guidance and establish clear delivery standards that support quality, consistency, and client satisfaction.
• Oversee workload distribution and coordinate resources across disciplines and offices.
• Provide leadership on projects involving live-airfield constraints, complex phasing, multiple stakeholders, and high public visibility.

Operational and Financial Leadership

• Lead the operational and business performance of the California aviation practice.
• Monitor financial results, project performance, backlog, staffing needs, and forecast accuracy.
• Identify operational or financial risks and implement corrective actions when needed.
• Partner with Division and Regional Leaders to advance annual business plans, market priorities, and sustainable growth initiatives.
• Balance immediate project and operational needs with the long-term health and growth of the practice.
• Ensure company policies, procedures, and quality requirements are consistently followed.

Client and Market Leadership

• Serve as a trusted senior point of contact for airport clients, stakeholders, teaming partners, and community partners.
• Support business development, pursuit strategy, and client relationship activities.
• Strengthen the firm’s presence in the California aviation market while expanding existing relationships and identifying new opportunities.
• Communicate directly and proactively with clients to resolve issues and guide projects toward successful outcomes.

People Leadership

• Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing aviation team.
• Provide direct supervision and mentorship to technical leaders and professionals.
• Establish clear expectations for quality, accountability, collaboration, and project delivery.
• Identify technical and professional development needs and provide coaching, mentoring, and on-the-job training.
• Support workforce planning, talent acquisition, succession planning, and career development.
• Foster an environment in which employees can grow while delivering exceptional work for clients.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program or an equivalent professional degree.
• Current California Professional Engineer license.
• At least 15 years of progressive technical experience within aviation, airfields, or a closely related discipline.
• At least 10 years of leadership and supervisory experience managing technical teams and project delivery.
• Demonstrated experience delivering aviation or airfield projects as a Project Manager or Project Officer.
• Proven ability to manage project scope, schedules, budgets, quality, and risk.
• Strong professional judgment and client-facing communication skills.
• Ability to lead independently while collaborating effectively across a national organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading projects for large commercial service airports.
• Experience working across aviation planning, aviation and airfield projects, environmental, architecture, and engineering disciplines.
• Established relationships within the California aviation market.
• Demonstrated success strengthening project performance, developing teams, and supporting business growth.

Typical salary range for this position in Los Angeles is $235,00 - $258,000 and commensurate with experience relative to the position.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring, RS&H will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories.

Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.

The Team

Joining our Aviation team means an opportunity to explore your potential and apply your diverse skills to serve the large and small airports of the aviation industry as a trusted advisor. You can do this in a collaborative and team-oriented environment among other driven professionals. Service areas include airfields, buildings, facility planning, environmental planning, and environmental stewardship & resiliency. Join RS&H to define and master challenges, advance professionally, and build strong and lasting relationships.

The Company

Employee-owned, RS&H is one of the nation’s leading architecture, engineering, and consulting firms, with associates who work hard every day to create tomorrow together. We offer an exceptional journey from start to future. Our integrated teams translate experience into insight, turn challenges into opportunities, and build relationships that are as strong as the buildings and infrastructure we deliver together. We attribute our success to our unwavering commitment to our core values: integrity, accountability, curiosity, and teamwork.