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.

• You are an experienced aviation engineering leader with a proven history of managing and developing high-performing teams. You have successfully led groups of direct reports and have prior people management responsibilities, including approving timesheets, conducting annual performance reviews, providing coaching and mentorship, and supporting employee growth and development.
• You bring 15+ years of aviation and transportation engineering experience, along with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, or a related field. An active Professional Engineer (P.E.) license is required.
• You are passionate about building teams, strengthening client relationships, and delivering impactful infrastructure solutions. You have successfully led complex aviation projects, provided technical oversight, and helped grow engineering practices through strong leadership, collaboration, and strategic vision.
• You bring deep expertise in aviation civil engineering and have the ability to guide multidisciplinary teams while ensuring projects are delivered with the highest standards of quality, safety, compliance, and innovation. You understand how to balance technical excellence with business objectives and provide the leadership necessary to support successful project execution from planning through implementation.
• You are a relationship-driven leader who enjoys being a trusted advisor to clients, partners, and internal teams. You have experience supporting business development initiatives, identifying opportunities for growth, and strengthening long-term partnerships within the aviation and transportation markets.
• You lead with collaboration, accountability, and integrity. You create an environment where employees can thrive, encourage professional development, and foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• You are both strategic and hands-on. You can establish a vision for growth while remaining engaged in the operational execution required to deliver exceptional projects, support your team, and exceed client expectations.
• You are ready to make a meaningful impact by advancing Primera Engineers’ aviation practice, expanding market opportunities, and helping shape the future of our transportation engineering services.

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.