Airport Design Manager Position Available In Mecklenburg, North Carolina

This position is responsible for administrative and professional work managing complex airport projects and programs at one of the world’s busiest airports, where schedules and operations impact the local and national airspace. This position oversees design management staff managing engineering and architectural projects and programs through planning, design, procurement and construction administration phases at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Projects overseen span airside, landside, horizontal, and vertical scopes of work such as airfield, terminal development, roadway and bridge projects, parking facilities, storm drainage and sanitary sewer utility projects, facility renovations/additions, and environmental projects. Work involves major technical decision making and independent judgment within established guidelines.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Coordinates multiple development and construction programs/projects and consultants at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Supervises, leads, and mentors professional and paraprofessional engineering, architectural, and design management staff. Negotiates professional services contracts, contract changes, monitors contractor performance, solicits contractor bids/proposals, monitors quality of work, provides regular status reports, performs special studies, and responds to requests from internal and external stakeholders, such as Airport Executives, Airlines, tenants, FAA, TSA, etc. Interfaces with various governmental agencies to ensure departmental compliance with regulatory requirements such as the FAA AIP Handbook, FAA Advisory Circulars, in addition to state and local requirements, ordinances, and codes Makes difficult engineering computations, designs complex major engineering projects, prepares complete engineering plans and specifications, prepares clear and concise technical reports, and completes projects accurately and on schedule. Interprets contracts, bids/proposals, specifications, and other technical documents. Manages the procurement of engineering-related services, such as project management support services, RPR services, engineering on-call, individual project engineering services, materials testing, surveying, and utility locates. Also, manage the procurement of construction bids Calculates cost estimates and identifies resources needed for projects. Reviews the work of architects, engineers, contractors, and other project service providers. Makes design modifications necessary to conform to regulatory and project requirements. Approves the designs as appropriate. Provides professional and technical assistance to program managers, engineering staff, contract officers, and others during various phases of project design/construction to help evaluate proposals and make recommendations for contract approvals/changes. Evaluate project workload and optimize staffing resources in a manner consistent to support pace of the Airport’s CIP Utilize Airport’s Project Management Information System (PMIS) software in order to interface with contractors and Engineering/Architectural consultants throughout the project lifecycle to manage schedules and risk Serves as the Airport’s technical expert for Modification of Standards on file with the FAA’s Airport Data and Information Portal. Responds to calls outside of normal work hours, and returns to work as needed to resolve urgent problems 24/7/365

Minimum Qualifications:

Requires a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture or Engineering. A minimum of seven (7) years with a Bachelor’s degree or five (5) years with a Master’s degree of progressively responsible hands-on architectural or engineering work experience in design, contract preparation, project design, and space planning is required. Supervisory experience in infrastructure planning, development, design, and construction. Licensure as an Architect or a Professional Engineering license is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

Twelve (12) years of progressive experience in engineering, architecture, or construction management, with a demonstrated track record of leading complex infrastructure projects. Extensive experience managing large-scale, multidisciplinary airport design and construction projects, including airside, landside, and terminal developments. Proven success in supervising and developing technical teams, optimizing performance, and delivering projects on time and within budget in a high-demand airport environment. Strong working knowledge of FAA and TSA regulations, airport design standards, and federal grant processes related to aviation infrastructure. Experience with staff augmentation models, government contract administration, and consultant oversight in the context of aviation capital improvement programs.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Provides leadership, direction, and mentorship to a multidisciplinary team of professional and paraprofessional engineering, architectural, and design management staff. Oversees day-to-day team operations, ensuring alignment with project goals, departmental priorities, and industry standards. Establishes clear performance expectations, conducts regular evaluations, and supports staff development through coaching, training, and career progression planning. Fosters a collaborative and accountable work environment that encourages innovation, professional growth, and continuous improvement. Manages team workloads and resource allocation to ensure timely and successful execution of complex, high-impact airport projects. Promotes cross-functional coordination and communication across internal departments and external stakeholders.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices, methods, and techniques of civil engineeringbuilding design, utilities, engineering, and construction Knowledge, understanding, and experience in the professional practice of Architecture and Engineering include. AIA contracts, building codes, construction documents, specification writing, construction administration, quality control processes, and project closeout. Knowledge and understanding of Building Information Modeling is preferred; AutoCAD is required. Effective verbal and written communication skills. Knowledge of Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circulars, Engineering Briefs, and Federal Aviation Regulations as they pertain to airfields and airport facilities. Knowledge of Transportation Security Administration security regulations and requirements. Knowledge of modern engineering methods and techniques as applied to the construction and maintenance of public works and utilities. Prefer knowledge of Airport facilities and environment. Knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations as they pertain to Airport issues. Principles and best practices of team leadership, performance management, and employee development in a high-stakes, deadline-driven environment. Organizational behavior, change management frameworks, and techniques for motivating staff during periods of high operational demand or uncertainty. Techniques for setting measurable performance goals, evaluating staff competencies, and aligning individual capabilities with organizational objectives. Conflict resolution strategies and workplace communication techniques to maintain a collaborative and productive team environment.

Skill in:

Interpersonal skills are necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature Performing basic mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, and ratios Providing excellent customer service Organization and time management Collaboration and teamwork Troubleshooting and problem-solving techniques Leading, coaching, and mentoring multidisciplinary teams with diverse technical backgrounds to achieve high performance and professional growth. Strategic workforce planning includes assessing future staffing needs, succession planning, and reallocating resources to meet evolving project demands. Conducting effective staff meetings, performance evaluations, and development planning conversations. Fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement through clear expectations, feedback, and recognition. Influencing and negotiating with internal and external stakeholders to build consensus and manage competing priorities. Delegating tasks effectively while maintaining oversight of project goals and timelines.

Ability to:

Successfully perform project management tasks, including proactive management during project initiation, planning, implementation, and closeout. Ability to manage multiple projects of various sizes, simultaneously, in a fast-paced work environment. Perform difficult and complex engineering mathematical computations, to make estimates and compile moderately complex engineering data and statistics. Use personal computers for word processing and database management. Ability to prepare and present clear and concise reports for a variety of audiences. Communicate effectively, orally and in writing. Deal tactfully and courteously with the public, representing the airport in a positive manner. Supervise and inspect work of contractors on engineering projects in the field or office, and to obtain adherence to plans and specifications. Establish and maintain effective working relationships. Develop and implement strategies that align staff capabilities with project requirements and organizational goals. Empower and inspire team members to take ownership of projects and deliver high-quality results under tight deadlines. Resolve personnel and performance challenges with professionalism, fairness, and adherence to HR policies and ethical standards. Maintain team focus and morale in a high-pressure environment with 24/7 operational responsibilities. Identify training and development needs and coordinate opportunities for continuing education and certification. Build cross-functional collaboration and break down silos between department-wide divisions and stakeholders.

ADA and Other Requirements:

Positions in this class typically require grasping, stooping, squatting, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.

Physical Requirements:

Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical conditions necessary for sitting, standing, climbing, or walking for extended periods of time Light to moderate lifting and carrying; some crouching, stooping, squatting, crawling, reaching, pushing, and pulling when performing tasks Adequate vision, hearing, and speech are required

Sensory Requirements:

Concentrated and attentive use of one or more senses (visual, audio, and other sensory modalities) for proofreading, data entry, and tabulating data Ability to operate in an environment with frequent interruptions from people and or noises, which in return could result in some level of stress, fatigue, or strain Comprehensive of written information in work-related documents Ability to hear, understand, and distinguish speech

Working Conditions:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be able to traverse a wide variety of active construction sites that may include exposure to machinery, moving objects/vehicles, scaffolds, and ladders. Works both inside and outside, with possible exposure to inclement weather. May also include exposure to dust, slippery, uneven surfaces, noise, and vibrating tools. Works alone as necessary.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.