Senior Vice President of Engineering

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority; United States; On-site; USD 228,000 - 360,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Background security investigation

Equal Opportunity Employer

Job summary

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority seeks a Senior Vice President of Engineering to lead construction safety, quality assurance, planning, design, and capital development for Reagan National, Dulles, and related properties. This executive role reports to the COO and involves oversight of engineering activities across multiple airports and facilities.

The successful candidate will drive strategic engineering initiatives, manage a broad team, and ensure projects comply with safety,

Qualifications

• Ten years of progressively responsible engineering experience with emphasis on civil and construction management.
• Experience supervising engineers at second level or higher.
• Knowledge of legal/regulatory requirements for large engineering projects.
• Strong budgeting and cost management knowledge.
• Ability to communicate technical issues to non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic vision and priorities for engineering and capital development.
• Direct cost-benefit analyses and ensure projects meet objectives within budget.
• Coordinate with airports and other offices for project delivery.
• Lead governance of CCP, CIP, R&R, and O&M strategies.
• Ensure compliance with codes, standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Mentor principals and oversee consultants on major projects.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Executive management

Engineering strategy

Budgeting & financial oversight

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder communication

Project portfolio management

Risk assessment

Quality assurance leadership

Change management

Education

Bachelors in engineering or architecture

Tools

Project management software

CAD/engineering software

Office suite software

Job description

Compensation Grade: Senior Vice President Salary Range: $228,257.00-$359,810.00 Opening Date: October 16, 2026 Closing Date: November 7, 2026 Please Note: All job announcements close at 11:59 p.m. of the day before the posted closing date.

Senior Vice President of Engineering

As the Senior Vice President of Engineering, you will provide strategic and tactical leadership for the construction safety, quality assurance, planning, design, construction, capital development, and environmental engineering, for two major U.S. airports, and other real property controlled by the Airports Authority in the national capital area. This is an executive position. Works under the administrative supervision of the Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer (COO). Serves in the Offices of Engineering at the Airports Authority, with offices located at DCA and IAD.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide strategic vision and recommends priorities for engineering, capital development, and construction investments and projects, including repairs and rehabilitation of Airports Authority real properties, and development and construction of new properties. Directly and through subordinate staff, ensures all functional responsibilities are transparent, ethical, customer service-oriented, meet project specifications, and are within budget. Seeks integrated systems that are technically excellent, practical, and cost-effective in response to current and future engineering and construction needs of the Airports Authority. Conceives, recommends, or approves CCP, COMIP, CIP, R&R Program, and O&M strategies. Ensures cost-effective expansion of runways/facilities/infrastructure at IAD and DCA. Reviews, recommends, or approves runway, facility, and infrastructure solutions that enhance mission-critical operations and modernization. Directs cost-benefit analyses for engineering, capital development, and construction spending, including total cost of ownership and return on investment analyses. Provides direction and oversight to the principal management consultants for the Aviation Enterprise CCP and other major projects. Ensures effective coordination with both airports and other operating Offices. Benchmarks, analyzes, reports on, and recommends improvements to construction management processes. Establishes key performance indicators (KPIs). Ensures all work complies with legal and regulatory requirements (building and safety codes, environmental regulations), professional requirements/standards, and Airports Authority policies. Establishes broad policy guidance that is comprehensive, integrated, and forward-looking for subordinate units. Keeps the COO and other parties informed on ‘big picture’ issues, as well as routine and non-routine matters that are important as informational items, through formal reports and informal discussions, as necessary. Seeks guidance on extremely sensitive issues. Stays abreast of developments in engineering, capital development, construction management, and technology. Performs other duties as assigned or on own initiative.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ten years of progressively responsible engineering experience (with emphasis in civil engineering and construction management).
• Experience as a second-level or higher supervisor of engineers.
• Comprehensive professional knowledge of the principles and practices of engineering, especially civil and structural engineering; extensive knowledge of architecture and commercial-industrial construction management; and skill in applying them to effectively direct and oversee engineering and construction activities.
• Knowledge of key legal and regulatory requirements and standards relevant to a wide variety of major engineering and construction projects and ability to apply it to ensure the Project complies with Federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of quality assurance, project controls, market data on costs, and cost management (including change orders and claims) and ability to apply it to ensuring projects meet objectives, including quality, cost, and timeliness.
• Knowledge of budgeting, accounting, and finance and ability to apply it to manage the programs and operations of the office, review project cost estimates and modifications, and understand and report work progress related to budget and funding authorizations at the level of a construction executive.
• Knowledge of grants and loans, bond issuances, and other financial instruments used to fund Airports Authority projects and the skill to manage projects funded through such resources.
• Knowledge of business administration principles and skill in applying to discuss changes and impacts with a wide variety of stakeholders and interact successfully with consultants, general contractors and others who are concerned with profit/loss issues.
• Knowledge of technical aspects of procurement, bid analysis, solicitation and contracting procedures and ability to apply to contracting engineering or construction work.
• Knowledge of supervisory principles and ability to manage the operations and programs of the unit/team.
• Ability to perform complex analyses of data and information and make recommendations.
• Ability to speak and write effectively, with emphasis on communicating technical issues to nontechnical audiences.
• Skill in using a computer and modern office suite software, with emphasis on special systems/software for project management and engineering applications.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Progressive civil engineering management and leadership experience in a complex, multi-project work environment dealing with a broad range of stakeholders.
• Experience collaborating with technical and non-technical staff and interacting with the public concerning highly complex, highly sensitive projects for a public sector entity.

EDUCATION

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering or architecture, or related field.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES

• A state driver’s license in good standing.
• Licensed as a Professional Engineer or Registered Architect in the United States or any of its Territories or ability to obtain licensure within 180 days from the date of the hire, promotion, or placement into the job.

NECESSARY SPECIAL FACTORS

Licensure as a Professional Engineer or Registered Architect must be maintained. Work is typically reviewed in progress and upon completion for quantity, quality, timeliness, teamwork, customer service, and other factors.

WHAT WE OFFER

A career with the Airports Authority comes with more than just a paycheck; it offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family’s health, financial security, and professional growth. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; well-being resources; health savings and flexible spending accounts; pension and retirement plans; and 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.

Have you ever wondered who runs Reagan National Airport? Or Dulles International Airport? Or the Dulles Toll Road? 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. We offer an array of benefits programs, including vacation, retirement, and health benefits. Whether you are traveling the world or plotting your career path, your journey begins with us.

Our Core Values are: MUTUAL RESPECT INTEGRITY PRIDE COLLABORATION