Design Project Manager (Mechanical Engineer)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Well-being resources

Pension and retirement plans

Ongoing training and development

Job summary

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is seeking a Design Project Manager (Mechanical Engineer) to lead multidisciplinary design efforts for landside and airside improvements under CCP and COMIP at DCA and IAD. You will coordinate with stakeholders, ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards, and manage design activities from planning through construction.

You will apply broad mechanical engineering expertise to centralized utilities, HVAC, fuel facilities, and other airport

Qualifications

• Six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in mechanical engineering.
• A master’s degree may substitute for two years of required experience.
• Experience with central utilities, fueling distribution, HVAC, and related systems preferred.
• Ability to manage design and construction contracts and to serve as COTR.
• Strong collaboration with architects, engineers, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Principal Staff Technical Advisor for CCP and COMIP projects focusing on Mechanical Engineering.
• Manage design projects involving mechanical systems such as Central Utilities Plant and Building HVAC.
• Oversee capital improvement projects including contractors and consultants for scope, schedule, and budget.
• Review design work and monitor mechanical systems engineering aspects at IAD and DCA.
• Ensure high quality control and minimize changes during construction.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to resolve technical issues.

Skills

Project management

Mechanical engineering

Stakeholder collaboration

Contract administration

Regulatory compliance

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) licensure within 1 year of hire

Job description

Design Project Manager (Mechanical Engineer)

Compensation Grade: S22 Salary Range: $119,280.00-$172,955.00 Opening Date: September 18, 2026 Closing Date: Please Note: All job announcements close at 11:59 p.m. of the day before the posted closing date.

As a Design Project Manager (Mechanical 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 (Mechanical Engineer) Serves in the Design Department in the Office of Engineering at IAD or DCA. As the Principal Staff Technical Advisor for CCP and COMIP projects, manages multi-disciplinary mechanical engineering projects on the 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 Mechanical Engineering.
• Conducts and manages design projects involving mechanical systems routinely associated with airport work, e.g., Central Utilities Plant, Hydrant Fueling Distribution System, Fuel Farm, Building HVAC, Dedicated Fire Service, etc.
• Manages assigned capital improvement projects including supervision and oversight of contractors and/or consultants for scope, quality, schedule, and budget management.
• Reviews the work of contract design firms and monitors mechanical systems engineering aspects of the CCP, COMIP, and tenant projects at IAD and DCA.
• Ensure projects are held to high-Quality Control Standards and minimize changes during construction.
• Consults and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders, including engineers, architects, management officials, code officials, and others, on airport mechanical engineering-related projects.
• Presents information and provides recommendations to the Office of Engineering leadership and other staff.
• Prepares or recommends engineering studies and designs and improves to design efforts.
• Develops and maintains Airports Authority design standards/guidelines for mechanical systems.
• Conducts meetings with various stakeholders to establish and refine system standards, requirements, and design criteria.
• Collaborates with the Airports Authority Safety Program and Buildings Codes Managers to integrate safety requirements and ensure compliance with the Airports Authority’s MWAA codes and standards prior to project execution.
• 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 investigations and analyses, 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.
• Serves as a contracting officer's technical representative (COTR) on airside and landside mechanical engineering–related projects and studies.
• Confirms that work has been completed in accordance with contracts, quality standards, and the Airports Authority’s goals for Small Local Business Enterprises (SLBEs).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in mechanical engineering. A master’s degree may substitute for two years of required experience. Four of the six years of experience must include specialization in Central Utilities Plant, Hydrant Fueling distribution system, Fuel Farm, Engineering Plan Review, project design and administration.
• 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.
• Skill in applying mechanical systems inspection and testing techniques.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with architects, engineers, contractors, regulatory agencies, operational stakeholders, and executive leadership to resolve technical issues and support project objectives in complex operational environments.
• Skilled in oral and written communication.
• Skill in using computer and office suite software, with emphasis on using a project management information system and other engineering software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with existing operational facilities and existing conditions, including renovation, phased construction, and integration of new systems and infrastructure within complex occupied environments.

Education

A Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, or 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 within one year of hire, promotion, or placement in the job.

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, dirt, 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 the issuance of an airport badge.

What We Offer

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Well‑being resources.
• Health savings and flexible spending accounts.
• Pension and retirement plans.
• 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.

We do! 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.

Our Core Values are: MUTUAL RESPECT INTEGRITY PRIDE COLLABORATION