Mechanical Project Manager (Aviation) (Philadelphia, Full-Time)

Zohorecruit; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 145,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) with employer matching

Paid time off and company holidays

Professional development and certific.

Collaborative and growth-oriented work

On-site work in Philadelphia

Job summary

McKnight International is seeking a senior Mechanical Project Manager with 10+ years of aviation and infrastructure experience to supervise mechanical scopes for aviation capital projects in Philadelphia, PA. The role emphasizes safety, schedule adherence, cost control, and coordination with multidisciplinary teams on-site.

The position is heavily on-site with limited hybrid flexibility, requiring leadership in planning, execution, and quality assurance across complex projects and stakeholders

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or related field required.
• 10+ years of experience managing complex aviation/mechanical capital programs.
• Experience supporting aviation or transportation infrastructure projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in an active construction and aviation environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical program deliverables with cross-functional coordination.
• Develop detailed project plans, schedules, and resource strategies.
• Coordinate planning and execution across project teams and stakeholders.
• Manage budgets, costs, forecasts, and cost-control activities.
• Ensure compliance with FAA/OSHA and local regulatory requirements and maintain safety focus.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, Engineering Management, Architecture, or a related field

Job description

Mechanical Project Manager (Aviation) (Philadelphia, Full-Time)

Philadelphia, United States | Posted on 09/28/2026

McKnight International is a leading project controls and technology implementation company known for its commitment to delivering high-quality projects on time and within budget. We take pride in our dedication to safety, quality, and excellence in the construction industry. As we continue to grow, we seek skilled individuals to join our team and contribute to the success of our projects.

Job Description

Mechanical Project Manager (Aviation) (Philadelphia, Full-Time)

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Employment Type: Full-Time

Work Arrangement: Fully On-Site

Hybrid potential based on project needs and client approval; not guaranteed.

At McKnight International, we specialize in providing innovative project controls and infrastructure technology consulting services to architects, engineers, and construction firms. Our work spans aviation, transportation, capital improvement programs, civil infrastructure, commercial development, and infrastructure technology initiatives.

We focus on integrating qualified personnel and effective systems to deliver precision, visibility, and successful project outcomes. Our organization is committed to fostering innovation, collaboration, and operational excellence while supporting complex infrastructure and consulting environments.

To learn more about McKnight International, please visit mcknightintl.com. For additional career opportunities, visit mcknightintl.com/careers.

The Role McKnight International is seeking a senior-level Mechanical Project Manager with 10+ years of experience to support complex aviation capital improvement and infrastructure programs in Philadelphia, PA.

This role is responsible for overseeing the planning, coordination, execution, and delivery of mechanical scopes associated with electrical substations and supporting aviation infrastructure within an active airport environment.

The ideal candidate combines strong project management expertise with experience in mechanical systems, substation-support infrastructure, aviation construction, stakeholder coordination, and regulatory compliance. The role requires a strong focus on safety, schedule adherence, cost control, quality, and continuity of airport operations.

The individual hired will represent McKnight International while coordinating with aviation stakeholders, designers, contractors, consultants, project controls personnel, and multidisciplinary project teams.

This position is primarily on-site within an active aviation environment. Limited hybrid flexibility may be available depending on project phase and client approval; however, on-site presence is a core requirement.

Requirements

Leadership Scope

• Lead mechanical program deliverables requiring cross-functional coordination
• Provide clear direction, goals, and accountability to project teams
• Participate in weekly team and client meetings to review progress and performance
• Lead the development and delivery of recurring program reports, including schedule, cost, risk, and performance metrics
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to continuous improvement and team development
• Coordinate closely with multidisciplinary project teams, contractors, consultants, and client representatives
• Promote accountability, collaboration, safety, and successful project delivery

Essential Job Functions

Project Planning & Execution

• Define project scope, objectives, milestones, and deliverables in coordination with aviation stakeholders
• Develop and manage detailed project plans, schedules, and resource strategies
• Coordinate planning and execution activities across project teams and stakeholders
• Manage mechanical project activities through construction, testing, commissioning, turnover, and closeout

Budget & Cost Management

• Develop and manage project budgets for large-scale aviation mechanical and infrastructure projects
• Track project costs and expenditures
• Analyze budget and cost variances
• Forecast project cost trends and implement corrective actions when necessary
• Support cost control, estimating, and financial reporting activities

Schedule Management

• Develop, manage, and monitor project schedules
• Coordinate with project controls personnel on integrated program schedules
• Coordinate work sequencing with airport operations, substation construction, phasing constraints, shutdown requirements, and project stakeholders
• Identify schedule impacts and support development of recovery or mitigation strategies

Mechanical & Technical Oversight

• Oversee mechanical systems supporting electrical substations and related aviation infrastructure, including HVAC, ventilation, cooling, plumbing, drainage, fire protection interfaces, and building automation/control systems
• Coordinate mechanical requirements with electrical equipment, electrical rooms, substation facilities, structural systems, and other supporting infrastructure
• Review mechanical drawings, specifications, submittals, RFIs, and technical documentation
• Ensure mechanical work complies with project drawings, specifications, applicable codes, and aviation facility requirements
• Coordinate mechanical interfaces with electrical, structural, civil, architectural, and other project disciplines
• Coordinate system testing, commissioning, turnover, and closeout activities

Risk & Quality Management

• Identify project risks and develop mitigation strategies
• Monitor project issues and implement practical corrective actions
• Implement and support QA/QC processes to meet or exceed client and industry standards
• Ensure project deliverables meet applicable quality requirements and client expectations

Stakeholder & Client Communication

• Serve as a primary point of contact between aviation stakeholders, designers, contractors, consultants, and client representatives
• Maintain clear and consistent communication across project teams
• Prepare and present project status reports, performance updates, and executive-level briefings
• Participate in client meetings, coordination meetings, and project progress reviews

Contract Administration & Compliance

• Support contract administration, change management, and claims resolution
• Monitor compliance with contractual obligations and project requirements
• Ensure compliance with applicable FAA, OSHA, environmental, mechanical/building codes, and local regulatory requirements
• Support adherence to project safety, security, and environmental requirements
• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary teams including engineers, inspectors, contractors, consultants, and commissioning personnel
• Coordinate closely with electrical project teams to ensure mechanical systems effectively support substation operations and requirements
• Foster a collaborative, professional, accountable, and safety-focused project environment

Problem Solving & Decision Support

• Identify and address mechanical, construction, schedule, cost, and coordination challenges
• Develop practical solutions that maintain project progress and operational requirements
• Support project decision-making related to mechanical systems, sequencing, constructability, testing, and commissioning

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, Engineering Management, Architecture, or a related field
• Minimum ten (10) years of experience managing complex, multi-phase capital construction programs
• Demonstrated experience supporting aviation or transportation infrastructure projects
• Proven experience managing mechanical construction scopes in active or mission-critical facilities
• Strong background in schedule management, cost control, estimating, forecasting, and risk management
• Experience reviewing and communicating project performance metrics, dashboards, and reports
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams, consultants, contractors, and client organizations
• Knowledge of multiple construction delivery methods, including Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, CM at Risk, or similar delivery methods
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, leadership, and decision-making abilities
• Ability to manage multiple priorities within an active construction and aviation environment

Preferred Experience

• Experience with mechanical systems supporting electrical substations, electrical equipment rooms, utility infrastructure, or comparable critical facilities
• Experience supporting major aviation programs valued at $500M+
• Mechanical construction experience within active airport environments
• Experience coordinating shutdowns, cutovers, testing, commissioning, and operationally sensitive construction activities
• Experience coordinating mechanical and electrical infrastructure interfaces

Preferred Certifications

One or more of the following professional credentials is strongly preferred but not required:

• Professional Engineer (PE)
• Project scheduling or controls certifications, as applicable

Equivalent experience delivering complex aviation, mechanical, and infrastructure programs will be considered in lieu of certifications.

Preferred Education

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, Engineering Management, or a related discipline
• Primavera P6 or similar project controls and scheduling platforms
• Construction management software platforms
• Project management software platforms
• Schedule management and reporting tools
• Project documentation and reporting systems
• Project controls and performance reporting platforms

Physical, Schedule & Eligibility Requirements

• Primarily on-site within an active aviation environment in Philadelphia, PA
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and drive for extended periods
• Ability to navigate active construction sites and uneven terrain
• Ability to access mechanical, utility, and supporting substation facilities as required
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, and safety footwear
• Additional hours may be required based on project demands, including shutdowns, testing, commissioning, or other operationally sensitive activities
• Hybrid work may be available on a limited basis depending on project needs and client approval but is not guaranteed
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship
• Must be able to successfully pass all background checks and security clearances required for the assigned work location
• Must have reliable transportation to and from assigned work location(s). Travel and commuting expenses are not reimbursed unless otherwise approved in writing.

Annual base salary range: $145,000 – $180,000.

Compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, certifications, and relevant aviation, mechanical, and project management experience and will comply with applicable federal, state, and local pay equity requirements.

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• 401(k) with employer matching contribution
• Paid time off (PTO) and company holidays
• Professional development and certification support
• Collaborative and growth-oriented work environment

McKnight International is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran disability or genetic information or any other reason prohibited by law in employment.