Sr. Project Manager - Aviation

Sr. Project Manager – Aviation

Position at LJA, an employee‑owned company, offers an exciting opportunity to reach your full career potential. The organization’s structure amplifies your capabilities while providing the benefits of being an employee‑owner. You will collaborate daily with dedicated, skilled, and supportive leaders and have the chance to grow through hands‑on experience and exposure to a broad range of clients and services.

• Employee‑owned. Client‑focused
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Consistently ranked as a Top Workplace
• Internal recruitment team, in‑house training, and a marketing department specific to our industry
• Flexibility: every team and office lead with their proven approach
• Culture champions continuous learning and personal growth
• Success comes from constant evolution and communication
• Passion for fun and making money, while creating impact

As a Sr. Project Manager at LJA Transportation, you will lead the business development, planning, design, funding, and delivery of airside and landside infrastructure projects while ensuring compliance with FAA, state, and local regulations in New Mexico. This role oversees all aspects of airport programs—including Capital Improvement Plans, funding alignment, and construction oversight—while managing scope, schedule, budget, and stakeholder relationships. Serving as Aviation’s Geotechnical Engineering subject‑matter expert, you provide technical leadership, support pavement and materials design, and ensure consistency and quality across all projects.

• Capital Improvement Program (CIP) & Funding Management
• Develop, update, and oversee multi‑year airport CIPs in coordination with airport sponsors and regulatory agencies.
• Strategically align projects with FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and state aviation funding opportunities.
• Manage the whole picture of funding and grants, including preparing and tracking FAA/state grant applications, including project scoping, cost estimation, reimbursements, and compliance reports.
• Plan, direct, and manage all phases of airport engineering and construction projects from initiation through closeout.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, FAA Airport District Offices, and state aviation agencies.
• Ensure project deliverables comply with FAA Advisory Circulars, state aviation guidelines, and grant assurance requirements.
• Lead, review and approve project delivery through all phases: planning, design, bidding, and construction administration.
• Review and approve design documents, construction specifications, and technical reports.
  
  Develop and monitor project budgets, schedules, and work plans.
• Participate in on‑site visits, pre‑bid meetings, construction progress meetings, and project closeouts.
• Lead and mentor project engineers, design engineers, EITs, CAD and technical staff.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams, subconsultants, and contractors.
• Conduct client meetings, stakeholder workshops, and public presentations.
• Build and maintain long‑term relationships with airports, communities, and regulatory agencies.
• Ensure adherence to DBE/Title VI requirements, safety standards, and environmental regulations.
• Assist with QA/QC reviews and ensure design compliance with FAA ACs, local codes, and agency requirements.
• Prepare progress reports, project updates, and documentation for sponsors and FAA/state agencies.
• Support business development and proposal efforts, statements of qualifications (SOQs), and interview presentations.
• Contribute to client growth strategies and market development in the aviation sector.
• Manage multiple projects adhering to deadlines and prioritized assignments.
• Communicate effectively with other team members on joint projects.
• Positive attitude with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.

• BS in Civil Engineering
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred

• 15+ years of relevant airport design and construction experience.
• Proficiency in FAA Advisory Circulars (particularly 150/5300‑13B, 150/5320‑6, 150/5370‑10 series)
• Proficiency with…