Aviation Project Engineer

Job Description

Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson is a dynamic, 100% employee-owned consulting firm with more than 2,800 professionals, providing a full range of multidisciplinary engineering, architecture, information technology, and related services to public agencies and private clients throughout the United States. JMT is currently ranked #45 on Engineering News-Record’s list of the Top 500 Design Firms.

Why Join JMT?

JMT combines challenging aviation projects with a collaborative culture and flexible work environment. Our aviation professionals support a diverse portfolio of airport development projects, ranging from airfield improvements and terminal facilities to landside infrastructure and program management. Whether you are an established project engineer or preparing for your next leadership role, JMT provides opportunities to expand your technical expertise, build client relationships, and advance within our growing aviation practice.

Position Summary

The Aviation Project Engineer will contribute to the planning, design, and delivery of aviation infrastructure projects ranging from moderate to complex assignments. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with project managers, technical staff, clients, agencies, and subconsultants to deliver high-quality engineering solutions. Depending on experience, responsibilities may include leading technical design efforts, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, supporting client relationships, and providing guidance to developing engineers. The selected candidate must be able to commute to the Pittsburgh, PA office and/or client sites within the Pittsburgh, PA area, 3 days a week.

Career Growth and Leadership Opportunities

JMT is committed to investing in the professional growth of our aviation staff. Candidates developing their leadership experience will have opportunities to progressively assume greater responsibility for technical oversight, project management, staff mentoring, business development, and client relationships. Working alongside experienced aviation professionals in a collaborative environment, the successful candidate will gain hands‑on leadership experience while contributing innovative ideas that enhance project delivery and client service. Through mentorship, knowledge sharing, and progressively responsible assignments, high‑performing team members will have opportunities to help shape the future of JMT’s aviation practice, including potential advancement into regional and practice leadership roles as part of JMT’s long‑term succession planning.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Support or lead the design of aviation infrastructure projects, including airfield, landside, utility, and site development improvements, based on experience and assignment.
• Prepare engineering calculations, plans, specifications, reports, cost estimates, and bid documents.
• Coordinate with project team members, clients, agencies, and subconsultants.
• Participate in project planning, design development, interdisciplinary coordination, constructability reviews, and quality‑control activities.
• Assist with evaluating alternatives and developing practical engineering solutions.
• Manage assigned tasks and support delivery of projects in accordance with established schedules, budgets, and quality requirements.
• Attend client meetings and collaborate with stakeholders throughout project development.
• Apply FAA standards, client requirements, and industry best practices in project design.
• Assist with scope, schedule, staffing, and workload planning
• Support proposal preparation and project interview activities, as appropriate.
• Participate in aviation or engineering industry organizations and professional‑development activities.

Leadership Opportunities (Based on Experience and Interest)

• Lead technical design efforts for selected aviation projects and task assignments.
• Provide technical oversight and quality reviews for project deliverables.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary design teams and subconsultants.
• Mentor developing engineers and support staff development.
• Lead or contribute to scope development, staffing plans, level‑of‑effort estimates, project schedules, and budget monitoring.
• Serve as a technical resource and point of contact for clients and project teams.
• Participate in proposal development, project interviews, and business‑development activities.
• Contribute to discipline standards, process improvements, knowledge sharing, and innovative project‑delivery practices.
• Represent JMT through industry organizations, committee involvement, conference presentations, or technical publications.

Required Skills

• Proficiency with aviation and engineering design software applicable to the position (e.g., AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and related engineering analysis tools).
• Experience with AviPLAN Airside Pro is preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with project teams, clients, agencies, and subconsultants.
• Working knowledge of related engineering disciplines and multidisciplinary project environments.
• Ability to prepare technical documents, reports, and presentations.
• Familiarity with FAA Advisory Circulars including implementation of their requirements, airport design standards, and federally funded airport projects.

Required Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related engineering field from an ABET‑accredited program.
• Professional Engineer license in Pennsylvania or Ohio, or the ability to obtain licensure through reciprocity in both states following employment.
• 8 to 15 years of progressively responsible experience in aviation engineering, airport design, or related infrastructure projects.
• Experience with airfield projects, including apron, taxiway, or runway rehabilitation or reconstruction.
• Working knowledge of FAA Advisory Circulars, airport design standards, and aviation industry practices.
• Experience working at commercial service airports.
• Pavement evaluation and pavement design experience.
• Experience supporting federally funded airport projects.

Preferred Experience

• Experience leading design development or coordinating technical teams on aviation projects.
• Experience interacting directly with airport clients, regulatory agencies, and project stakeholders.
• Experience mentoring developing engineers or providing technical guidance to project teams.
• Strong knowledge of FAA Advisory Circulars, FAA design standards, guide specifications, and federally funded airport‑project requirements.
• Experience supporting project planning, scope development, staffing, scheduling, and budget monitoring.
• Familiarity with Airport Improvement Program requirements, including project eligibility considerations.

Working Conditions

JMT offers a flexible work environment. Employees are expected to work in the office a minimum of three days per week; however, project, client, and team needs may require additional in‑person attendance. This position may require attendance at JMT offices, client offices, or project locations on days that would otherwise be scheduled for remote work. Responsibilities include computer‑based engineering and design, project‑team coordination, client communication, and participation in meetings, presentations, and field activities. Periodic travel may be required to project sites, airports, client offices, and industry conferences or events. Occasional field work is required to support site investigations, engineering assessments, construction observations, project meetings, and stakeholder coordination. Field assignments may involve active airport environments, construction sites, varying terrain, aircraft operations, vehicle traffic, noise, dust, and changing weather conditions. Candidates must be able to walk project sites, traverse uneven surfaces, and occasionally lift or carry materials and equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.