Construction Engineer - Aviation

Job Description

Job Description

Build the Infrastructure That Connects Communities 

At HR Green, our mission is simple: Building Communities. Improving Lives.

For more than 110 years, we've partnered with municipalities, transportation agencies, airports, and public organizations to deliver infrastructure solutions that strengthen communities and improve quality of life. Today, we're proud to be recognized as one of the nation's leading engineering firms, consistently ranked on Engineering News-Record's Top 500 Design Firms list and recognized as a Great Place to Work.

We're seeking an experienced Construction Engineer – Aviation  to join our growing Construction Services team in Missouri. This role offers the opportunity to lead and support the construction of critical public infrastructure projects, including airport improvements, roadway and highway reconstruction, transportation facilities, and FAA-funded capital improvement programs.

If you're looking for a position where you can combine technical expertise, field leadership, client interaction, and project management while working on high-impact infrastructure projects, this is an opportunity to make a visible difference in the communities we serve while advancing your career with a nationally respected firm.

What You'll Do 

As a Construction Engineer, you'll serve as a trusted advisor to public agency clients, airport authorities, transportation departments, and project stakeholders while overseeing the successful delivery of complex aviation and transportation infrastructure projects. You'll manage construction activities from pre-construction through closeout, ensuring quality, compliance, safety, budget stewardship, and project success. 

Construction Management & Project Leadership

• Lead construction administration and inspection efforts for medium- to large-scale aviation projects, including airfield, roadway, utility, and site development improvements.
• Manage construction contracts, schedules, budgets, quality assurance activities, and stakeholder communications throughout project delivery.
• Interpret and enforce FAA, DOT, local, state, and federal specifications, standards, and construction requirements.
• Review construction activities and evaluate work quality, materials, contract compliance, and field conditions.
• Exercise independent judgment when resolving complex construction issues, interpreting plans and specifications, and evaluating field modifications.
• Identify project risks and develop practical, cost-effective solutions that improve project outcomes while minimizing schedule impacts.
• Lead progress meetings and coordinate activities among clients, contractors, utility companies, regulatory agencies, and project stakeholders.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and oversight to construction inspectors, field staff, and subconsultants.
• Analyze and resolve project-related issues, including contractor disputes, client concerns, public inquiries, and schedule challenges.

Aviation & Site Development Expertise

• Support the construction of airport, drainage, utility, and site development infrastructure projects.
• Oversee construction activities involving pavement systems, earthwork, grading, utilities, stormwater facilities, and lighting systems. 
• Apply engineering knowledge related to roadway geometry, pavement systems, structures, drainage, utilities, airfield infrastructure, and construction materials.
• Evaluate construction methods, testing results, material compliance, and quality assurance procedures.
• Perform and oversee yield checks, depth checks, utility testing, construction staking verification, and basic construction layout activities.
• Coordinate construction activities to maintain compliance with FAA requirements, DOT standards, funding agency requirements, and operational constraints.
• Identify and resolve complex construction challenges related to structural elements, utility conflicts, earthwork operations, transportation facilities, and airfield infrastructure.
• Recommend innovative approaches, materials, and construction methods that improve safety, efficiency, quality, and project performance.

Client Partnership & Communication

• Serve as a trusted representative and advisor to airport authorities
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, contractors, consultants, utility providers, and regulatory agencies.
• Communicate project progress, schedule impacts, budget considerations, risks, and construction challenges to stakeholders.
• Facilitate resolution of contractor disputes, change requests, claims, and construction-related concerns.
• Support public outreach efforts, project communications, websites, and stakeholder engagement initiatives as needed.
• Act as a business partner to clients by providing proactive recommendations that help achieve successful project outcomes.

Financial Stewardship & Quality Assurance

• Protect client interests through diligent contract administration, documentation, and quality assurance oversight.
• Review pay applications, quantify pay items, assist with pay estimates, and resolve contractor payment disputes.
• Verify work completion and contract compliance prior to payment authorization.
• Maintain accurate field documentation, inspection reports, testing records, project files, and funding agency documentation.
• Prepare project records and supporting documentation for audits and regulatory reviews.
• Ensure all work is completed in accordance with plans, specifications, contract documents, and applicable regulatory requirements.

What You Bring

You thrive in a fast-paced construction environment, enjoy solving complex field challenges, and are passionate about delivering infrastructure that improves mobility, safety, and quality of life. You're a collaborative leader who can confidently work with clients, contractors, and project teams while balancing technical, operational, and financial priorities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Construction Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 4 years of construction engineering, construction management, or construction inspection experience supporting transportation, aviation, municipal, site development, or public infrastructure projects.
• Minimum 1 year of construction engineering, construction management, or construction inspection experience on a medium-large commercial airport.
• Experience managing multiple projects and competing priorities simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of construction inspection procedures, contract administration, quality assurance, and project documentation.
• Knowledge of construction materials, earthwork operations, pavement systems, utility infrastructure, and site development practices.
• Understanding of surveying fundamentals, horizontal and vertical control, and construction layout principles.
• Excellent communication, organization, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to project sites as required.

Highly Desired Qualifications

• Engineer Intern (EI/EIT) certification in Missouri or the ability to obtain.
• Experience supporting airfield construction projects at commercial airports.
• Experience with FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funded projects.
• Knowledge of FAA Part 139 requirements.
• Airfield paving, lighting, runway, or taxiway construction experience.
• Experience working with state DOTs, municipal agencies, counties, or airport authorities.
• Experience leading construction inspection teams, resident engineering staff, or field personnel.

Why HR Green?

At HR Green, you'll join an employee-owned firm where your contributions directly impact our success—and your future.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Work on high-profile aviation and transportation projects that improve mobility, safety, and community connectivity.
• Gain exposure to a diverse portfolio of airport, roadway, highway, utility, and site development infrastructure projects.
• Collaborate with nationally recognized transportation and aviation professionals.
• Build meaningful relationships with airport authorities, DOTs, municipalities, and public-sector clients.
• Expand your technical expertise across multiple infrastructure markets while developing specialized knowledge in aviation and transportation construction.
• Develop leadership skills through mentoring opportunities and increasing project responsibility.
• Grow your career within a nationally recognized firm with a strong backlog of transportation and aviation work.
• Be part of an employee-owned culture that rewards performance, initiative, collaboration, and long-term success.

Not only does HR Green provide a place to grow, thrive, and enjoy your work, but we are also committed to offering a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including:

• Employee ownership opportunities
• Traditional and Roth 401(k) plans with immediate employer-match vesting
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development support
• Paid parental leave
• Two paid volunteer days each year
• Flexible career paths and advancement opportunities
• Collaborative, team-oriented culture focused on innovation and professional growth

Visit our Total Rewards Program to learn more. 

HR Green is proud to be an affirmative action/ equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law.