Aviation Department Manager

We’re a people-first organization. We value knowledge and learning. We believe in the power of connection and collaboration and we seek to build relationships that mean something. We employ some of the best and brightest in the industry and we work hard to maintain a culture that our people can be proud of.

The Aviation Department Manager is responsible for leading and growing the firm’s Aviation practice through a combination of technical expertise, people leadership, client engagement, and strategic business development. This role provides overall direction for aviation civil engineering services, manages a multi-disciplinary team, and serves as a visible leader both internally and externally. The Department Manager plays a key role in expanding the aviation portfolio, strengthening client relationships, and positioning the firm for continued growth in existing and new markets.

This is a local, hybrid position and requires in-person collaboration, client engagement, and occasional regional national travel. 

You are an experienced aviation transportation engineering leader with a proven track record of guiding teams and delivering complex infrastructure projects. With more than 15+ years of relevant experience, including leadership or management responsibilities, you understand how to drive both technical excellence and organizational success.

You bring a strong background in aviation civil engineering and are confident providing technical oversight and strategic guidance across multidisciplinary teams. You ensure quality, compliance, and innovation throughout planning, design, and implementation phases.

You are client-focused and growth-oriented. You have demonstrated success in client-facing roles, contributing to business development efforts, strengthening relationships, and supporting practice expansion. You understand how to position services effectively and build long-term partnerships within the aviation and transportation sectors.

You are a strong communicator and relationship builder. Your leadership style fosters collaboration, accountability, and professional development within your team while maintaining trusted partnerships with clients and stakeholders.

You think strategically but lead practically. You are comfortable setting long-term direction while remaining engaged in operational execution to ensure projects are delivered successfully.

You hold a B.S. or M.S. in Civil, Transportation Engineering, or a related field, and bring atleast 10+ years of experience and leadership maturity necessary to advance an aviation or transportation engineering practice. Having an active P.E. license is must. 

Department & Team Leadership

• Lead the Aviation Department, with direct management responsibility for a portion of the team.
• Foster a high-performing, collaborative, and accountable team culture focused on quality, responsiveness, and professional growth.
• Provide mentorship, performance feedback, and career development guidance to staff.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and staff development to meet current and future workload demands.

Practice Growth & Strategy

• Drive continued growth of the Aviation practice, aligning department goals with the firm’s strategic vision.
• Identify and pursue new market opportunities, including geographic expansion and new client   relationships.
• Collaborate with firm leadership to develop long-term practice plans, staffing strategies, and revenue goals.

Client Leadership & Business Development

• Serve as a client-facing leader and trusted advisor for aviation clients and stakeholders.
• Represent the firm at national conferences, industry events, and client meetings to strengthen brand visibility and relationships.
• Lead or support business development efforts including proposal strategy, pursuit planning, and client interviews.
• Maintain and expand relationships with airport authorities, municipalities, and regulatory agencies.

Technical Oversight & Quality

• Provide high-level technical oversight for aviation civil engineering projects, ensuring consistency, quality, and compliance with FAA and industry standards.
• Support Project Managers and Technical Leads in resolving complex technical, schedule, or coordination challenges.
• Ensure projects are delivered in alignment with scope, budget, schedule, and quality expectations.

Operational & Financial Management

• Oversee department performance, workload planning, and staff utilization.
• Support project financial management efforts, including forecasting, staffing alignment, and coordination with Project Managers.

Starting salary is between $180,000 – $200,000 based on skills and qualifications, with the high end of the range limited to applicants based on relevant years of experience.

• An excellent benefits package including 401K match, gym and transit subsidies, continuing education reimbursement and much more
• A hybrid-work environment. From fully-remote to in the office each day, we empower our people to develop a schedule that fits each individual lifestyle
• A fun, inclusive, and collaborative environment
• Colleagues that appreciate differences in people, perspectives, cultures, and ideas
• The fruits of our employee-led committees focused on offering engaging social, wellness and community service activities all year long

Equal Employment Opportunity
Primera is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity. Primera’s practices and employment decisions, including those regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation, shall not be based on any person’s race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, ancestry, disability, physical handicap, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship status or other protected group as defined by law.