National Aviation Runway Design Lead

About the role

This opportunity at WSP is driven by inspiring future-ready solutions and shapes how communities connect through our aviation infrastructure. Our Aviation team partners with airport owners and public agencies nationwide to deliver runway, taxiway, and airfield infrastructure projects that are safe, resilient, and sustainable. We are seeking a National Runway Design Lead to provide technical leadership, project delivery oversight, and business development support across WSP’s aviation platform in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Serve as WSP’s national technical lead for runway and airfield pavement design projects
• Lead and oversee planning, design, and delivery of runway, taxiway, apron, and airfield infrastructure projects
• Provide technical leadership and QA/QC oversight to project teams across multiple regions
• Act as a key pursuit and proposal leader, supporting competitive strategies, technical approaches, and client interviews
• Collaborate with regional aviation leaders on business development, capture planning, and client relationship management
• Support Design-Build and Alternative Delivery projects, including reviews, risk mitigation, and execution strategies
• Mentor and develop aviation and airfield engineering staff nationally
• Ensure compliance with FAA Advisory Circulars, industry standards, and client requirements
• Represent WSP with airport sponsors, airlines, FAA stakeholders, and industry organizations

Requirements

• You are a recognized airfield and runway design expert with strong client presence and experience delivering complex aviation programs
• You bring a balance of hands-on technical depth, project leadership, and business development acumen
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering (or related discipline)
• Professional Engineer (PE) license (multi-state registration preferred)
• 15+ years of experience in aviation and airfield design
• Deep expertise in runway and taxiway design, pavement design, grading, drainage, and airfield geometry
• Thorough working knowledge of FAA standards, including AC 150/5300-series
• Prominent experience supporting or leading pursuits, proposals, and client interviews
• Strong communication skills and ability to work across geographically distributed teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading national or multi-region aviation programs
• Design-Build or Progressive Design-Build experience
• Established relationships with airport owners and aviation stakeholders
• Experience mentoring and developing technical teams
• Active involvement in aviation or transportation industry organizations

Benefits

• Comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings
• Retirement savings
• Paid sick leave
• Paid vacation (or other personal time)
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings

Pay

Expected Salary (all locations): $180,800 - $310,000

Schedule

National Runway Design Lead position may be based out of any mutually agreed upon WSP USA Office, with a preference to our Northeast Locations.