Senior Design Manager - Aviation

STV Construction Incorporated; Illinois; On-site; USD 179,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) Plan

Paid Time Off

Parental Leave

Continuing Education

Job summary

STV Construction Incorporated is seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager - Aviation for onsite work in Chicago, IL. You will lead design activities for airport projects, manage budgets and schedules, and coordinate with architects, engineers, contractors, and airport authorities to ensure compliant, on‑time delivery.

The role requires 10+ years in preconstruction or project management for large infrastructure and emphasizes FAA standards, constructability reviews, and value engineering.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in preconstruction, estimating, or project management within large-scale infrastructure projects, preferably airports.
• Strong knowledge of airport construction regulations, FAA guidelines, and industry best practices.
• Proficiency in construction management software (e.g., Procore, Bluebeam, Primavera P6) and cost estimating tools.
• Excellent leadership, negotiation, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and preconstruction efforts, including estimating, scheduling, and procurement planning for airport construction projects.
• Develop and manage preconstruction budgets, cost estimates, and value engineering assessments.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, contractors, and airport authorities to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Conduct feasibility studies, risk assessments, and constructability reviews to identify challenges and solutions.
• Prepare detailed project schedules, including preconstruction timelines and milestones.
• Assist in selection and management of subcontractors and vendors within budget.
• Ensure adherence to environmental, safety, and zoning regulations throughout preconstruction.
• Provide strategic input on design optimization, material selection, and sustainable construction practices.
• Coordinate with government agencies, airport stakeholders, and project teams to align requirements.
• Support transition from preconstruction to construction for a seamless handoff to execution teams.

Skills

Budgeting

Scheduling

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder coordination

Cost estimating

Contractor coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management

Civil Engineering

Architecture

Master's degree (preferred)

Architectural Licensure (preferred)

Tools

Procore

Bluebeam

Primavera P6

Job description

STV is seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager - Aviation to work with our national aviation group. This position will be onsite at our client's location in Chicago, IL. This position will oversee the planning and design phases of airport construction projects. The ideal candidate will lead design activities, including budgeting, scheduling, risk assessment, and coordination with stakeholders to ensure the successful execution of large‑scale airport infrastructure projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead design and preconstruction efforts, including estimating, scheduling, and procurement planning for airport construction projects.
• Develop and manage preconstruction budgets, cost estimates, and value engineering assessments.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, contractors, and airport authorities to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards.
• Conduct feasibility studies, risk assessments, and constructability reviews to identify potential challenges and solutions.
• Prepare detailed project schedules, including preconstruction timelines and key milestones.
• Assist in the selection and management of subcontractors and vendors, ensuring alignment with project goals and cost considerations.
• Ensure adherence to environmental, safety, and zoning regulations throughout the preconstruction phase.
• Provide strategic input on design optimization, material selection, and sustainable construction practices.
• Communicate and coordinate with government agencies, airport stakeholders, and project teams to align expectations and requirements.
• Support the transition from preconstruction to construction, ensuring a seamless handoff to project execution teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in preconstruction, estimating, or project management within large-scale infrastructure projects, preferably airports.
• Strong knowledge of airport construction regulations, FAA guidelines, and industry best practices.
• Proficiency in construction management software (e.g., Procore, Bluebeam, Primavera P6) and cost estimating tools.
• Excellent leadership, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and navigate complex project requirements.
• Strong problem‑solving abilities and attention to detail.
• Architectural Licensure is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field.
• Professional certifications such as PMP (Project Management Professional) or LEED accreditation.
• Experience working with public sector airport authorities or aviation-related infrastructure.

#LI-AW1 #ONSITE

Compensation Range: $179,064.64 - $204,645.30

Benefits

• Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care and Transit and Parking where applicable)
• Disability insurance
• Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment
• 401(k) Plan
• Retirement Counseling
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Back‑Up Dependent Care
• Parental Leave
• Continuing Education Program
• Professional Licensure and Society Memberships

STV is committed to paying all of its employees in a fair, equitable, and transparent manner. The listed pay range is STV's good‑faith salary estimate for this position. Please note that the final salary offered for this position may be outside of this published range based on many factors, including but not limited to geography, education, experience, and/or certifications.

We know great candidates don't always meet every qualification, and research shows women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they do. At STV, we believe strong talent comes from a wide range of backgrounds, and your skills and experience may align with this or another opportunity as we continue to grow. STV is one of the top infrastructure‑focused professional services firms in North America. Founded in 1912, STV advises, plans, designs, engineers and delivers the infrastructure that powers local economies, including transportation systems, buildings, water and other facilities. Headquartered in New York City, the company has more than 65 offices and 3,400 employees who reimagine the solutions and structures that connect our communities. The firm is ranked 32nd in Engineering News‑Record's Top 500 Design Firms survey and is 10th in its transportation category. STV is deeply committed to investing in its people and creating a world‑class employee experience. We are passionate about mentoring, coaching and cultivating our talent because we know they are destined to become the next generation of industry leaders. We're also committed to delivering formative career experiences – and we do that by providing challenging and unique work experiences, by mapping multiple ways to advance (beyond the traditional career ladder!) and by recognizing those who successfully chart new and exciting paths for the firm. We value a wide range of perspectives and experiences, without regard to any factor or characteristic, regardless of whether it is a category protected by federal, state and/or local law, making them an integral part of how we work. Our approach ensures that every individual is respected, heard, and given opportunities to contribute meaningfully. We remove barriers and create pathways for growth, embedding fairness into our daily operations. Learn more at stvinc.com. STV exists to make communities better through innovative solutions that connect people, places and the present to the future. Our local teams throughout the country deeply understand the needs of their communities and have the expertise to provide solutions. We are also committed to giving back to our communities and our neighbors through volunteering and philanthropic activities; fundraising events; scholarships, internships, and mentoring; and sustainability and community improvement projects. Learn more. STV provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.