Airport Design Center Lead - Aviation

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Company: LJA Engineering Inc

Location: Sparks, NV 89436

Description:

Title: Airport Design Center Lead

Division: Aviation

LJA recognizes that our success depends on the quality of the people we hire. We are currently seeking highly talented individuals that take pride in their work, function exceptionally well in team environments, and contribute to the overall success of the company. As a 100% employee-owned company, we promote an entrepreneurial spirit that helps drive the bottom line and the long-term professional and financial success of our employees. With more than 70+ office locations, LJA is growing and ready for talented people to help us build our future.

Summary: The design center can be a cornerstone of the airport planning and engineering discipline, providing the expertise and tools needed to produce precise and customized documentation for airport projects. Foundational documents, such as the Airport Layout Plan (ALP), are tailored to each airport's unique requirements, guided by FAA Advisory Circulars (AC). These circulars outline critical design standards, including setbacks, building restriction lines, transitional airspace surfaces, safety zones, pavement markings, navigational aids, and infrastructure layouts specific to various airport categories.

A centralized CAD design center streamlines the development of these documents by creating standardized templates, supporting exhibits, and data tables in advance, which can then be tailored to the distinctive features and needs of individual airports. This approach frees the planning and engineering team to focus on project-specific and client-centered goals while ensuring consistency and efficiency.

The same approach extends to airport pavement design and construction documentation. FAA Advisory Circulars (ACs) provide clear standards and specifications, allowing the design center to pre-develop templates and exhibits that can be efficiently customized for specific projects. Project engineers play a critical role in reviewing and refining these designs to ensure they meet all technical requirements, align with the needs of airport sponsors, and comply with FAA regulations and oversight.

Leadership within the design center is vital. The design center lead oversees CAD technicians, providing guidance on template creation, directing project workflows, and ensuring all deliverables meet the highest standards of accuracy and quality. This collaborative structure allows the team to deliver exceptional results tailored to the complex demands of airport projects.

Airport Design Center Lead directs and oversees CAD production for complex airport planning and engineering projects. This role ensures quality, consistency, and compliance across deliverables and serves as a mentor and technical resource for junior staff.

General Responsibilities:
  • Foster a collaborative and high-performing team environment that promotes synergy, clear communication, and shared accountability.
  • Lead CAD production for ALPs, airside layout plans, grading and drainage, pavement, and utility design.
  • Develop and deliver high-quality technical documents, visual exhibits, and presentation materials that meet or exceed client and project standards.
  • Organize and manage project workflows to ensure timely completion of tasks and adherence to critical deadlines.
  • Coordinate multi-disciplinary drawing inputs across teams and manage production schedules.
  • Maintain and enforce aviation CAD standards, templates, and libraries.
  • Conduct QA/QC reviews of drawing sets and coach junior team members.

Required Education:
  • Associate or bachelor's degree in civil engineering technology, drafting, or aviation design
  • Advanced proficiency in Civil 3D. Familiarity with Bentley MicroStation and familiar with FAA Advisory Circular 150/5300-13B
  • In-depth knowledge of FAA Advisory Circulars, ALP standards, and airport planning workflows

Required Experience:
  • At least 5 years of experience in aviation-related CAD drafting and design.
  • Proven track record leading drawing production on large-scale airport or aviation planning projects.


Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

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