Design Project Manager (Civil Engineer)

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 119,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Pension and retirement plans

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is seeking a Design Project Manager (Civil Engineer) to lead a range of airside and landside civil engineering projects under CCP and COMIP at IAD and DCA. You will supervise multi-disciplinary teams, coordinate with FAA, WMATA, NPS, and contractors, and ensure compliance with MWAA standards.

The role requires extensive civil engineering experience, PE licensure, and strong procurement and contract management skills to deliver projects on time and

Qualifications

• Six years of progressively responsible civil engineering experience with design and construction oversight.
• Master’s degree may substitute for two years of experience.
• Knowledge of civil engineering principles for site design, grading, drainage, utilities, pavements.
• Familiarity with FAA, DEQ, EPA, OSHA regulations and ability to apply them.
• Ability to work with multiple disciplines and stakeholders to review and advise on design.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Principal Staff Technical Advisor for CCP and COMIP projects (airside and landside).
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders on airport civil engineering projects.
• Oversee schedule and budget for assigned capital improvement projects and manage contractors/consultants.
• Develop and review plans, specs, cost estimates, and contract requirements per MWAA standards.
• Represent MWAA with federal, state, and local agencies and serve as COTR on relevant projects.

Skills

Project management

Civil engineering knowledge

Regulatory knowledge

Communication skills

Team coordination

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering

Job description

Compensation Grade: S22 Salary Range: $119,280.00-$172,955.00 Opening Date: October 2, 2026 Closing Date: October 17, 2026 Please Note: All job announcements close at 11:59 p.m. of the day before the posted closing date.

As a Design Project Manager (Civil Engineer), you will manage a wide variety of multi-disciplinary projects to construct landside and airside improvements under the Aviation Enterprise Capital Construction Program (CCP), as well as projects under the Aviation Enterprise Capital, Operating, and Maintenance Investment Program (COMIP) at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Design Project Manager (Civil Engineer) Serves in the Design Department in the Office of Engineering at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) or Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). As the Principal Staff Technical Advisor for CCP and COMIP projects, manages multi-disciplinary civil engineering projects on airside and landside, coordinating with various stakeholders and ensuring compliance with contracts, safety, and regulatory standards. Performs related functions.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as Principal Staff Technical Advisor for multi-disciplinary CCP and COMIP projects, focusing on airside and landside civil engineering.
• Consults and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders, including engineers, architects, management officials, and others, on airport civil engineering-related projects.
• Coordinates interactions among the Airports Authority, airlines, managing consultants, contractors, and government agencies, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), and National Park Services (NPS) to ensure minimal disruption to operations.
• Manages assigned capital improvement projects including supervision and oversight of contractors and/or consultants for schedule and budget management.
• Develops, reviews, and/or coordinates plans, specifications, cost estimates, and contract requirements based on Airports Authority design standards and established engineering practices.
• Collaborate with the Airports Authority Safety Program and Buildings Codes Managers to integrate safety requirements and ensure compliance with MWAA codes and standards prior to project execution.
• Presents information and provides recommendations to the Office of Engineering leadership and other staff.
• Prepares or recommends engineering studies and designs and improvements to design efforts.
• Establishes or approves functional criteria, performance requirements, and related specifications, during the development phase.
• Specifies or advises on regulatory requirements, design standards, and related issues (e.g., site configurations, adjacent construction, environmental permitting) for design criteria.
• Conducts site visits and provides design management support during the planning, design, and construction phases to monitor progress, inspect field conditions, and evaluate the quality control work of others.
• Reviews construction progress reports, shop drawings, material lists, and samples.
• Reviews with engineer/architect of record on contractor-submitted items to confirm design intent and project requirements have been satisfied.
• Provides technical expertise in legal matters, assisting the Office of the General Counsel in defense against contractor design construction claims and the development of case strategies.
• Represents the Airports Authority with Federal, state, and local government organizations and transportation agencies.
• Serves as a contracting officer's technical representative (COTR) on airside and landside civil engineering-related projects and studies.
• Confirms that work has been completed in accordance with contracts, quality standards, and MWAA goals for Small Local Business Enterprises (SLBEs).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Six years of progressively responsible experience in civil engineering, with an emphasis on managing and coordinating civil engineering projects throughout the design and construction processes.
• A master’s degree may substitute for two years of experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of civil engineering principles and practices, with the ability to effectively apply them to a full range of large campus, airside, and landside civil engineering projects and issues.
• Knowledge of the principles of civil engineering (as related to the preparation of plans and specifications of various civil engineering-related projects) with an emphasis on site design, including grading and drainage, stormwater management, erosion and sediment control, soil mechanics, utilities, and pavements.
• Knowledge of construction industry practices, quality control, safety requirements, and related standards and ability to apply them to civil engineering and site design projects.
• Ability to work effectively with architecture and various other engineering disciplines (e.g., environmental, electrical, mechanical) to review, coordinate, and advise on capital improvement project designs.
• Familiarity with the laws, regulations, and standards of regulatory agencies, such as the Administration FAA, Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and ability to interpret and apply applicable laws, codes, regulations, standards, and policies to confirm the compliance as they relate to civil engineering.
• Ability to provide pertinent advice on processes, materials, and equipment during planning and design.
• Ability to perform complex analyses of data and information and make recommendations.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and meet schedules and timelines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey technical issues.
• Skilled in using computer and modern office suite software, with an emphasis on engineering and project management systems/software.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with civil engineering projects at an airport or airfield.
• Experience with drainage engineering including hydrology and hydraulic analysis, stormwater management, water quality BMP design, and stormwater-related permitting.

EDUCATION

• A Bachelor's Degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering or a related field.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES REQUIRED

• A state driver’s license in good standing.
• Licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) in any U.S. State or Territory.

NECESSARY SPECIAL FACTORS

• Licensure as a PE must be maintained.
• Work is typically reviewed in progress and upon completion for quantity, quality, timeliness, teamwork, customer service, and other factors.
• May be required to work nights and weekends depending on project schedules and operations.
• Is subject to adverse weather conditions and exposed to dirt, grease, odors, hazardous substances, and loud noise when visiting construction sites.
• Wears protective equipment, as required.

WHAT WE OFFER

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.

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

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

CORE VALUES

MUTUAL RESPECT…INTEGRITY…PRIDE… COLLABORATION

We’re the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and we’re looking for talented, enthusiastic people to help us continue our tradition of outstanding service to travelers in the Washington Metropolitan area.