Principal Project Management

Mott MacDonald Group; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 190,000 - 232,000; Full time

Job summary

Mott MacDonald is seeking a Principal Project Manager, Transportation to lead aviation-focused projects from our New York City office. You will drive delivery, manage scope, budget and schedule, and collaborate with clients and multidisciplinary teams to achieve integrated, high‑quality outcomes.

The role requires 10–15 years in transportation project delivery (aviation preferred), a relevant engineering or construction degree, and PE registration.

Qualifications

• Over 10 years of project delivery experience in the transportation field, preferably aviation.
• Bachelor's degree in architecture, relevant branch of engineering, or a relevant construction management field.
• Professional registration, preferably PE.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects with cost, time, quality and risk management.
• Contract and commercial acumen with respect to scope clarity, change management and contractor performance oversight.
• Excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Project management of delivery projects in a client-facing role, ensuring client needs are understood and addressed.
• Define deliverable scope, budget and timescales with clients and coordinate with internal teams and subconsultants.
• Coordinate activities across projects, manage risks and interfaces, and ensure integrated delivery of solutions.
• Lead delivery in compliance with Mott MacDonald PM/QA systems and client processes.
• Foster development of project staff and sponsor appropriate growth within the team.

Skills

Project leadership

Client-facing

Cost/time/quality/risk management

Communication skills

Aviation/transportation knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/architecture/construction management

Job description

At Mott MacDonald, we are driven by purpose and powered by brilliant people. As a trusted engineering, management, and development consultancy, we work with clients to solve complex challenges and deliver sustainable outcomes that make a meaningful difference for the communities we serve.

When you join us as an experienced professional, you will bring your expertise to work that matters while continuing to grow your career. You will collaborate with talented colleagues across disciplines and geographies, contribute your perspective, and help shape better outcomes through technical excellence, innovation, and integrity.

Build on your experience while helping shape what comes next. At Mott MacDonald, you'll work alongside talented people on complex and rewarding projects that make a real difference. We value fresh perspectives, encourage collaboration, and provide opportunities to expand your skills, take on new challenges, and grow your career. Whether you're deepening your technical expertise, broadening your leadership experience, or exploring new opportunities across our business, you'll be supported by a team that is committed to helping you succeed.

MacDonald is seeking a Principal Project Manager, Transportation to take a role in the leadership of transportation professionals in a range of discipline areas, leading the delivery of transportation projects, and the growth and development of our transportation business overall. This role and the team will be focused mainly on aviation projects.

The role requires 10 to 15 years of experience in project delivery in the transportation sector, preferably within aviation. This experience may have been gained either owner-side, or consultancy or contracting or a combination.

The role is based in New York City out of our midtown Manhattan office, and will require attendance at Client offices in the New York area, occasional travel to Clients further afield.

In-office attendance is encouraged with a minimum of three days a week in-office working

Key Responsibilities:

• Project Management of delivery projects, in a client-facing and client-centric role, ensuring client's needs are properly understood and addressed through close collaboration and alignment
• Working with the client to establish deliverable scope, budget and timescales for tasks, and then collaborating with the internal team, subconsultants and contractors to ensure on-time and on-budget delivery
• Coordination of activities on different projects and management of risks, interfaces and contingencies; coordination of design and construction activities to yield integrated delivery of solutions
• Leading diligent delivery within compliance with the Mott MacDonald project management and quality systems, and within any client imposed processes
• Driving personal development and learning within the role, including promoting and sponsoring the appropriate development of project staff with your team

This role will take on certain business development responsibilities, including identifying suitable opportunities, development and delivery of capture strategies and pursuits, maintenance and development of Client relationships including following Mott MacDonald's processes for the capture and conversion of opportunities.

The aviation discipline within Mott MacDonald is a growing professional practice with a shared vision to be one of our transportation business strengths in North America. This role will be key in contributing to this growth.

Minimum requirements:

The successful candidate will have:

• Over 10 years of project delivery experience in the transportation field, preferably in aviation
• Bachelor's degree in architecture, relevant branch of engineering, or a relevant construction management field
• Professional registration, preferably Professional Engineering (PE)
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects, with diligent effective management of cost, time, quality and risk.
• Contract and commercial acumen with respect to scope clarity, change management and contractor performance oversight
• Excellent communication skills

Bring your expertise, curiosity, and drive to make a difference. If you are ready to join a collaborative consultancy where your perspective is valued, your growth is supported, and you are empowered to lead with integrity, we would love to hear from you.

Benefits & Rewards

The expected salary for this position is $190,000 - $232,000.

Individual pay is determined based on several factors such as work location, education, experience, and unique skills.

In addition to base salary, Mott MacDonald offers performance-based bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package, giving employees a direct connection to our success.

Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support the health, wellbeing, financial security, and professional growth of our employees. Eligible employees have access to medical, dental, and vision coverage, FSA and HSA accounts, company-paid life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage, and a competitive 401(k) plan with company matching. We also provide paid time off, paid holidays, caregiver leave, employee referral bonuses, professional registration and membership reimbursements, and tuition assistance to support continued learning and career development.

Collaboration at Our Core

At Mott MacDonald, we believe great ideas happen when we're together. Our hybrid approach centers on an in-office culture, with most of your time spent collaborating face-to-face and a minimum of three days per week in the office. We balance flexibility with connection, so you and your manager can choose how to meet clients, team, and personal commitments.

Equal opportunity is the law.

We seek to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they have the opportunity to contribute.

• All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, creed, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status or disability status.