Design Project Manager - Automated People Movers (APM) System

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, within the Design Department at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), seeks a Design Project Manager for the Automated People Movers (APM) System.

You will guide expansion design, oversee long-range planning, and coordinate multidisciplinary teams across engineering, architecture, and contractors to support construction, testing, and commissioning, ensuring safe, compliant operation.

Qualifications

• Six years of progressively responsible experience in APM or mass transit rail systems design/operation.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams of engineers, architects, consultants, contractors, and vendors.
• Experience administering engineering and construction contracts and serving as a project manager and COTR.
• Knowledge of APM system design, construction, operation, testing, commissioning, and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to review technical deliverables for compliance with design intent, codes, and contract requirements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manages APM expansion design projects, including long-term planning, design coordination, construction support, and project delivery.
• Consults with internal and external stakeholders to establish system requirements and design criteria.
• Leads testing, ORAT, and commissioning for APM expansion projects.
• Reviews submittals, shop drawings, and materials for consistency with design intent.
• Ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and design standards.

Skills

Project management

Multidisciplinary design

COTR role

Stakeholder coordination

Regulatory standards

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

PMIS

MS Office

Job description

Design Project Manager - Automated People Movers (APM) System

Please Note: All job announcements close at 11:59 p.m. of the day before the posted closing date.

As a Design Project Manager - Automated People Movers (APM) System, you will provide technical guidance and manage APM system expansion design at the Airports Authority. Managing long-term planning, leading multi-disciplinary design projects, supporting construction phase activities, and leading Operational Readiness, Activation, and Transition (ORAT) and commissioning as related to APM system expansion at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Serves in the Design Department in the Office of Engineering at IAD.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Manages Automated People Mover system expansion design projects, including long-term planning, design coordination, construction support, and project delivery.

Consults and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders, including engineers, architects, management officials, code officials, contractors, and vendors, to establish system requirements and design criteria; coordinate project activities; and resolve technical, operational, and construction-related issues.

Serves as a subject matter expert for APM systems, providing technical guidance and recommendations to Office of Engineering leadership and project stakeholders. Prepares or recommends engineering studies and design improvements and incorporates applicable industry best practices into system design, construction, and operation.

Develops, maintains, and updates Airports Authority design standards, guidelines, system requirements, and design criteria for APM systems in collaboration with operational, engineering, safety, security, and other stakeholders.

Reviews contract design firms’ work for technical accuracy, compliance with APM standards, constructability, operational suitability, and incorporation of applicable industry best practices.

Reviews construction progress reports, shop drawings, material lists, samples, and other contractor submittals in coordination with the engineer or architect of record to verify consistency with design intent and project requirements.

Leads or supports testing, ORAT, and commissioning for APM expansion projects. Coordinates requirements with stakeholders and verifies that systems, equipment, documentation, training, and operational requirements are complete and ready for transition to airport operations.

Serves as a Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) on APM related projects and studies. Monitors contractor performance and verifies that deliverables comply with contract requirements, applicable quality standards, and the Airports Authority’s goals for Small Local Business Enterprises (SLBEs).

Stays updated on key regulatory requirements, including Transportation Security Administration Code of Federal Regulations and related guidance materials, Customs and Border Protection Technical Standards, Federal Airfield NAVIDS and communications, Building Codes, and their application to electronic systems, etc.

Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in APM or mass transit rail systems design and/or operation. A master’s degree may substitute for two years of required experience.

Experience managing multidisciplinary engineering and design projects, including coordinating engineers, architects, consultants, contractors, vendors, and internal stakeholders to establish project requirements, resolve technical issues, and achieve project objectives.

Skill in administering engineering and construction consulting contracts and ability to serve as a project manager and COTR, including skill in reviewing the proposals and work products of consulting engineers, contractors, vendors, and supporting in-house personnel.

Knowledge of APM system design, construction, operation, testing, commissioning, and applicable regulatory requirements, technical standards, design criteria, building codes, and other requirements related to APM.

Ability to review engineering designs, technical specifications, shop drawings, contractor submittals, construction documentation, test procedures, or similar technical deliverables for compliance with design intent, system requirements, codes, standards, and contract requirements.

Ability to speak and write effectively.

Skill in using computer and office suite software, with emphasis on using a project management information system and other engineering software.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience in the full life cycle of planning, design, construction, ORAT, and commissioning of APM systems.

EDUCATION

A Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, or related field.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES REQUIRED

NECESSARY SPECIAL FACTORS

Operates vehicle landside and airside (requires AOA permit).

May be required to work nights and weekends depending on project schedules and airport operations.

Is subject to adverse weather conditions and exposed to dirt, grease, loud noise, and potential hazards common to the airport environment and construction industry.

Wears personal protective gear, as necessary. A background security investigation will be required for issuance of an airport badge.

WHAT WE OFFER

A career with the Airports Authority comes with more than just a paycheck; it offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family’s health, financial security, and professional growth. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; well-being resources; health savings and flexible spending accounts; pension and retirement plans; and ongoing training and development opportunities. Discover more about our benefits package here.

A background security investigation will be required for all new hires.

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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