National Aviation Runway Design Lead

WSP in the U.S.; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 180,800 - 310,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Paid vacation and parental leave

Retirement savings

Job summary

WSP in the U.S. is seeking a National Runway Design Lead to oversee runway and airfield design projects nationwide. This senior role involves providing technical leadership, mentoring staff, and ensuring compliance with FAA standards across various locations.

The ideal candidate will have 15+ years of experience, a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, and a PE license. WSP offers a competitive salary range of $180,800 - $310,000 along with various benefits.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in aviation and airfield design.
• Deep expertise in grading, drainage, and airfield geometry.
• Proven experience leading pursuits and proposals.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead for runway and airfield design projects.
• Ensure compliance with FAA Advisory Circulars and industry standards.
• Mentor and develop aviation and airfield engineering staff.

Skills

Runway and Taxiway Design

Pavement Design

Communication Skills

Mentoring

FAA Standards Knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Job description

Job Description

At WSP, we are driven by inspiring future-ready solutions—and today’s aviation infrastructure plays a critical role in shaping how communities connect. Our Aviation team partners with airport owners and public agencies nationwide to deliver runway, taxiway, and airfield infrastructure projects that are safe, resilient, and sustainable.

We are seeking a National Runway Design Lead to provide technical leadership, project delivery oversight, and business development support across WSP’s aviation platform in the U.S. This position may be based out of any mutually agreed upon WSP USA Office, with a preference to our Northeast Locations. This senior technical and leadership role focuses on leading, winning, and delivering runway and airfield design projects nationwide. You will serve as a trusted technical authority for clients and internal teams, supporting pursuits, shaping design strategy, mentoring staff, and ensuring consistent delivery excellence across our Aviation practice.

Your Impact

• Serving as WSP’s national technical lead for runway and airfield pavement design projects
• Leading and overseeing planning, design, and delivery of runway, taxiway, apron, and airfield infrastructure projects
• Providing technical leadership and QA/QC oversight to project teams across multiple regions
• Acting as a key pursuit and proposal leader, supporting competitive strategies, technical approaches, and client interviews
• Collaborating with regional aviation leaders on business development, capture planning, and client relationship management
• Supporting Design‑Build and Alternative Delivery projects, including reviews, risk mitigation, and execution strategies
• Mentoring and developing aviation and airfield engineering staff nationally
• Ensuring compliance with FAA Advisory Circulars, industry standards, and client requirements
• Representing WSP with airport sponsors, airlines, FAA stakeholders, and industry organizations

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering (or related discipline)
• Professional Engineer (PE) license (multi‑state registration preferred)
• 15+ years of experience in aviation and airfield design
• Deep expertise in runway and taxiway design, pavement design, grading, drainage, and airfield geometry
• Thorough working knowledge of FAA standards, including AC 150/5300-series
• Proven experience supporting or leading pursuits, proposals, and client interviews
• Strong communication skills and ability to work across geographically distributed teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading national or multi‑region aviation programs
• Design‑Build or Progressive Design‑Build experience
• Established relationships with airport owners and aviation stakeholders
• Experience mentoring and developing technical teams
• Active involvement in aviation or transportation industry organizations

Benefits

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation; paid parental leave; and paid time off for bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

Compensation

Expected Salary (all locations): $180,800 - $310,000. WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

Legal Statements

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status. The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

Agency Notice

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.