Serve as a thought leader, contributing to white papers, best practices, and planning
Serve as the senior leader for complex airport planning and infrastructure projects, including airport master plans, airport layout plans, runways, taxiways, aprons, drainage systems, utility infrastructure, and airside/landside
Stay current with FAA regulations, engineering best practices, and emerging technologies relevant to airport design and construction.
Represent the company at state and national aviation engineering forums, technical panels, and professional conferences (e.g., ACC, AAAE, ACI-NA).
Lead and mentor multidisciplinary project teams, fostering a collaborative and high- performance work culture.
Provide strategic leadership and technical oversight for aviation planning/engineering projects in the Southeast US, ensuring alignment with client needs and organizational objectives.
Coordinate with internal departments including CAD design Hub, operational support lead, engineering, environmental, architecture, survey, and GIS to integrate planning initiatives across
Participate in business development activities, including identifying opportunities, building client relationships, leading proposals, and conducting presentations.
Oversee technical quality control/assurance processes, ensuring the delivery of accurate, cost- effective, and constructible solutions.
Act as a primary point of contact for key clients, including airport sponsors, FAA and state aviation representatives, and local jurisdictions.
Guide teams through all project phases planning, design, permitting, bidding, and construction support while ensuring compliance with FAA standards and local agency requirements.
Requirements
civil 3d
autocad
bluebeam
pe license
bachelor's
10+ years
Bachelor’s degree in airport/aviation management, Airport Planning or Civil Engineering or related engineering
Master’s degree is a plus, especially in fields related to airport planning, civil engineering, transportation, infrastructure, construction management, or business management.
Experience with construction phasing, cost estimation, and coordination with contractors and airport operations.
Strong background in engineering design and project management software (e.g., Civil 3D, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, and drainage modeling tools).
Demonstrated leadership in managing large-scale airside and landside engineering projects for commercial service and general aviation airports.
Proven success in leading multi-disciplinary teams, managing budgets/schedules, and delivering results on time and within scope.
Strong business acumen with experience in strategic growth, client development, and proposal leadership.
Professional Engineer (P.E.) license may be required; multi-state licensure or ability to obtain is a
In-depth knowledge of FAA Advisory Circulars (particularly AC 150 series), Airport Improvement Program (AIP), and other regulatory frameworks.
A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in airport planning or civil engineering is required, with a strong track record of FAA-funded airport projects. Candidates with 20 or more years of experience are strongly preferred.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for both internal team collaboration and external client engagement.
Benefits
Generous Time Off: PTO, paid holidays, and a full office closure between Christmas and New Year’s.
Our culture champions continuous learning and personal growth
Community Impact: Company-sponsored volunteer days and philanthropic initiatives.
Professional Development: Memberships to industry organizations to keep you connected and growing.
Fun Culture: LJA social events, employee sports teams, bring your kid to work day, etc.
Comprehensive Benefits: Multiple plan options for health, dental, and pets. Along with mental health support.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
Referral Bonuses: Know great talent? Get rewarded for helping us grow.
Education Support: Tuition reimbursement and in-house courses provided by our Learning and Development team.
Career Growth: Great internal mobility opportunities to advance your career.
Ongoing professional development through industry certifications or training
Family Support: Paid maternity and parental leave to help you focus on what matters most.
Training + Development
Information not given or found
Interview process
Information not given or found
Visa Sponsorship
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Security clearance
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Company
Overview
Founded 1972
Year Established
The company has been providing engineering and consulting services since its inception.
800+ Employees
Team Size
LJA Engineering operates with a team of over 800 skilled professionals driving innovative solutions.
LJA has built a reputation as a leading provider of engineering, planning, and consulting services.
The company offers innovative solutions across multiple sectors, including transportation, water resources, and land development.
LJA takes on complex projects, ranging from large-scale infrastructure to community-focused initiatives.
LJA's work is diverse, from designing efficient transportation systems to revitalizing water resources for sustainable communities.
Their portfolio includes impactful projects for municipal governments, private developers, and energy firms.
Culture + Values
Collaboration – We work together, across teams and locations, to bring out the best in each other.
Ingenuity – We challenge ourselves to think outside the box and create solutions that drive success.
Work‑Life Balance – We believe that caring for our people means supporting their well‑being inside and outside of work.
Opportunities to Grow – We provide professional development, mentorship, and career advancement paths for our employee‑owners.
“Work hard and play harder. We genuinely like our co‑workers, and this shows in everything we do.”
Environment + Sustainability
20% Yearly Vesting
ESOP Contributions
Employee Stock Ownership Plan contributions vest 20% annually, with full vesting after five years.
№1 Ranked Workplace
USA Today's Top Workplace
Recognized as the #1 Top Workplace in the USA by USA Today based on employee-owner feedback.
Inclusion & Diversity
LinkedIn does not publicly list explicit DEI goals or gender breakdowns.
Measurable gender-related statistics or strategic DEI targets are not disclosed.