Aviation Design Manager

Hill International is seeking an Aviation Design Manager in San Juan, Puerto Rico

We are seeking an experienced Aviation Design Manager to lead the planning, design, and execution of airport terminal development projects throughout Puerto Rico. The successful candidate will oversee multidisciplinary design teams and serve as the primary point of coordination between airport stakeholders, architects, engineers, consultants, and project management teams.

The Aviation Design Manager will be responsible for managing all phases of terminal-related projects, including programming, conceptual design, schematic design, design development, construction documents, bidding support, and construction administration. This role requires strong leadership skills, technical expertise, and experience delivering complex aviation facilities while maintaining operational continuity in active airport environments.

• Lead and manage the design of airport terminal projects, including:
  • New terminal facilities
  • Terminal expansions
  • Gate and concourse improvements
  • Passenger processing areas
  • Ticketing and baggage handling facilities
  • Customs and border processing facilities
  • Airline lounges and tenant improvements
• Oversee architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and specialty consultant teams.
• Establish project design criteria and ensure compliance with client requirements.
• Review and approve project deliverables at all design milestones.

• Manage project budgets, schedules, and design resources.
• Coordinate project activities with airport authorities, airlines, regulatory agencies, consultants, and contractors.
• Facilitate design review meetings and stakeholder workshops.
• Monitor project progress and implement corrective actions when required.
• Prepare executive presentations, reports, and project updates.

• Ensure compliance with:
  • FAA regulations and Advisory Circulars
  • TSA requirements
  • ADA standards
  • International Building Code (IBC)
  • NFPA Life Safety Codes
  • Puerto Rico permitting and building requirements
  • Airport design standards and operational requirements
• Lead technical reviews of drawings, specifications, cost estimates, and constructability analyses.
• Support value engineering and design optimization initiatives.

• Serve as the primary liaison between project teams and airport stakeholders.
• Coordinate closely with airport operations, airline representatives, maintenance departments, security personnel, and governmental agencies.
• Ensure terminal design solutions support passenger experience, operational efficiency, safety, and future growth.

• Provide design leadership during construction.
• Review RFIs, submittals, design clarifications, and change requests.
• Participate in site visits, progress meetings, and inspections.
• Support commissioning, turnover, and project close-out activities.

• Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Aviation Planning, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience managing large-scale building or transportation infrastructure projects.
• Minimum 5 years of direct experience with airport terminal design projects.
• Strong understanding of terminal planning, passenger flow, baggage systems, security screening, and airport operations.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary design teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Registered Architect (RA) or Professional Engineer (PE).
• PMP Certification.
• Experience with FAA-funded airport projects.
• Experience managing projects in operational airports.
• Bilingual English and Spanish.
• Experience working on Caribbean or Puerto Rico infrastructure projects.

• Revit, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, BIM…