Sr. Civil Project Manager - Aviation

CHA Consulting, Inc.; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

CHA Consulting, Inc. in Knoxville, TN is seeking a Sr Civil Project Manager – Aviation to lead multidisciplinary teams delivering airport infrastructure projects.

You’ll guide airside, landside, and facility programs, ensure safety and regulatory compliance, and foster strong client partnerships in a dynamic aviation setting. The role requires a PE license, a Civil Engineering background, and 10+ years of progressive engineering experience with at least 4 years in project management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering is required; Master’s degree is preferred.
• PE license is required; active licensure or ability to obtain is expected.

Responsibilities

• Manage the planning, design, and delivery of civil infrastructure projects for airports, including airfields, terminals, roadways, parking facilities, utilities, and site development.
• Build and nurture client partnerships, understanding their needs and delivering creative, cost-effective solutions.
• Manage contracts, purchase orders, project documentation, and daily correspondence with clients and subcontractors.
• Take charge of project financials, including budgeting, forecasting, and cash management, while ensuring timely payments and accurate reporting.
• Lead monthly project review meetings, communicating progress and updates to clients, management, and project teams.
• Develop and implement health and safety plans, ensuring compliance with quality standards and regulatory requirements.
• Embrace a “seller/doer” mindset, actively developing new business opportunities and expanding services provided.

Skills

Project management

Client relationships

Communication

Budgeting

Forecasting

Contract administration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

MicroStation

Deltek Vision

MS Project

Primavera P6

Job description

Join Us:

Lead the Next Generation of Aviation Infrastructure — Join Us as Sr Civil Project Manager – Aviation

Are you energized by complex civil infrastructure projects that keep airports moving safely, efficiently, and reliably? Do you excel at leading multidisciplinary teams, strengthening client partnerships, and guiding projects through the unique technical and operational demands of active aviation environments?

CHA Consulting, Inc. is seeking a Sr. Civil Project Manager - Aviation to join our Aviation Team in Knoxville, TN. In this role, you’ll help deliver integrated airport solutions across airside, landside, and facility-related environments—supporting infrastructure that enhances safety, improves operational performance, and creates a more seamless experience for airport sponsors, stakeholders, and the traveling public.

Previous aviation experience is preferred but not required. We welcome civil engineers with backgrounds in site development, land development, transportation, municipal infrastructure, water resources, or other civil infrastructure disciplines who are interested in applying their expertise to aviation projects.

This opportunity is ideal for an experienced engineer who is ready to step into a project management role or for those already performing project management duties.

What You'll Do:

• Manage the planning, design, and delivery of civil infrastructure projects for airports, including airfields, terminals, roadways, parking facilities, utilities, and site development
• Build and nurture client partnerships, understanding their needs and delivering creative, cost-effective solutions
• Manage contracts, purchase orders, project documentation, and daily correspondence with clients and subcontractors
• Take charge of project financials, including budgeting, forecasting, and cash management, while ensuring timely payments and accurate reporting
• Lead monthly project review meetings, communicating progress and updates to clients, management, and project teams
• Develop and implement health and safety plans, ensuring compliance with quality standards and regulatory requirements
• Embrace a “seller/doer” mindset, actively developing new business opportunities and expanding services provided

What You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering required; Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive engineering experience, including 4 years of project management experience required
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required
• Expert knowledge of the respective engineering discipline with a proven ability to apply best practices
• Advanced proficiency in engineering, computational, and modeling software (Revit, AutoCAD, MicroStation, etc.)
• Strong understanding of QA/QC procedures, business practices, and engineering laws
• Proven ability to manage project accounting processes (budgeting, forecasts, and cash management) as well as prepare proposals, project plans, extra work authorizations and project closeout documents
• Demonstrated experience managing client relationships, interpreting contract requirements, and overseeing multiple concurrent projects
• Articulate communicator who adapts messaging for diverse audiences
• Proficiency in MS Office required; knowledge of Deltek Vision, MS Project, or Primavera P6 is a plus
• Ability to travel as needed
• Consulting industry experience highly preferred
• Participation in professional engineering societies/organizations preferred

Why You'll Love It Here:

• Lead meaningful aviation projects that strengthen airport safety, reliability, efficiency, and long-term community value
• Bring your project leadership and civil engineering expertise to a team focused on practical, integrated, and forward-thinking aviation solutions

Salary Range:

$100,000 - $130,000

Salary is based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, training, and fair market evaluation based on industry standards.

Culture/EEO Statement:

At CHA, we work every day to create solutions, help people, and improve our world, committed to creating and fostering excellence in our diverse and highly talented teams. Our teams continually strive to find better ways – always searching, never settling – to achieve extraordinary results. Our values around hiring, training, and community engagement reflect a company culture that is inclusive and forward leaning, always pushing the limits of what is possible.

We as an organization celebrate the values of inclusion and equality, and advocate for the full participation of all people in an environment free of discrimination. To support these values, we invite all qualified applicants to be considered for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.