Senior Aviation Design Manager

KDG Construction Consulting is seeking a Senior Aviation Design Manager to lead the design oversight for a major Airport Terminal Refresh Program. This role is responsible for the delivery of a complex suite of designs aimed at enhancing terminal resiliency, sustainability, and the overall user experience.

The Senior Aviation Design Manager will act as the key technical liaison between the public owner, private developers, and design-builders, ensuring all architectural and engineering deliverables align with contractual, technical, and operational objectives.

Responsibilities and Duties

Design Oversight & Quality Assurance:
• Enforce procedures for architectural and engineering review activities (including Structural, MEP, Civil, Utilities, and IT disciplines) to ensure they are performed according to best practices and contract standards.
• Oversee design support management, scope of work management, permitting, agency coordination, and Building Information Modeling (BIM) coordination.
• Audit project team comments and designer responses to recognize quality versus incomplete design work, taking appropriate corrective actions as necessary.
• Monitor BIM production according to established BIM Standards and the BIM Execution Plan, collaborating with central BIM teams to develop implementation strategies.

Technical Management & Strategy:
• Facilitate meetings and serve as the technical liaison between Developers/Design-Builders and Subject Matter Expert (SME) teams.
• Work with the Project Manager to define, review, and approve design requirements, responsibilities, and program consistency.
• Provide technical review of changes to the scope of work for each project and establish uniform submittal approval procedures.
• Develop and maintain a project scope tracker to verify all elements are accounted for and have been appropriately assigned.

Stakeholder & Operational Coordination:
• Apply a solid understanding of airport terminal functions, including passenger processing, baggage handling, airline operations, and aircraft/apron requirements.
• Coordinate with other project teams to ensure program consistency across all disciplines and accurate technical interface with adjacent projects.
• Prepare and review technical briefings, meeting agendas, and supporting materials for Board presentations, Steering Committees, and stakeholder outreach.
• Manage comment resolution and act as the technical liaison for the Design Review Team (DRT).

Project Controls & Compliance:
• Support the Project Manager to ensure design reviews are completed on time and within budget.
• Monitor compliance with architectural and engineering guidelines to ensure consistency and quality across the terminal refresh project.
• Provide guidance related to functional requirements contained in technical specifications or other project documents.

Required Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, or a related field.
• 15+ years of experience managing the design of large, complex building projects and infrastructure improvements.
• Direct experience in Aviation Design Management (Terminals, utilities, and airside improvements) is required.
• Proven experience with projects valued at $100 million or more.
• Demonstrated proficiency with various delivery methods, including Design-Build, CMAR, and Design-Bid-Build.
• Ability to work full-time on-site (Monday–Friday) at the project office/site, with flexibility for after-hours work as required.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Professionally licensed Architect (RA) and/or Engineer (PE).
• Proficiency in Bluebeam and Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with CAD or Revit is a plus.
• Familiarity with Project Management Information Systems (PMIS).
• Knowledge of Southern California public agency processes and aviation regulations.
• PMP, CCM, or DBIA certification.

Anticipated Salary Range: $148,000.00 – $159,000.00 per year

About KDG: KDG Construction Consulting is a leading provider of program, project, and construction management services. The firm serves clients in a broad range of markets throughout Southern California, including aviation, transportation, and infrastructure. KDG provides a full spectrum of management and technical services spanning the entire lifecycle of a construction project.

Employment with KDG: KDG is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, coidentity, national sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.