California Aviation Operations Leader
About The Position
RS&H is seeking an experienced Operations Leader to lead the performance, project delivery, and continued growth of our California Aviation practice. This is a hands-on leadership role for a technically strong aviation professional who takes pride in delivering complex airport projects with rigor, clarity, and accountability. The California aviation team includes approximately 15 professionals, primarily based in Los Angeles, with additional support from planning, environmental, architecture, and other technical teams across the firm. Current work includes projects at LAX, Ontario, Oakland, Sacramento, Palm Springs, Orange County, Burbank, and other commercial and regional airports. This is an opportunity to lead complex, highly visible airport work while shaping the continued growth of our California aviation practice. As an employee-owned firm, RS&H offers the resources and reach of a national organization along with meaningful leadership responsibility, technical influence, and the ability to make a lasting impact.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program or an equivalent professional degree.
- Current California Professional Engineer license.
- At least 15 years of progressive technical experience within aviation, airfields, or a closely related discipline.
- At least 10 years of leadership and supervisory experience managing technical teams and project delivery.
- Demonstrated experience delivering aviation or airfield projects as a Project Manager or Project Officer.
- Proven ability to manage project scope, schedules, budgets, quality, and risk.
- Strong professional judgment and client-facing communication skills.
- Ability to lead independently while collaborating effectively across a national organization.
Nice To Haves
- Experience leading projects for large commercial service airports.
- Experience working across aviation planning, aviation and airfield projects, environmental, architecture, and engineering disciplines.
- Established relationships within the California aviation market.
- Demonstrated success strengthening project performance, developing teams, and supporting business growth.
Responsibilities
- Serve as a Senior Project Manager or Project Officer for significant aviation projects and programs.
- Lead airport planning and design projects from kickoff through completion.
- Maintain accountability for project scope, schedule, budget, quality, risk management, and contract compliance.
- Provide senior technical guidance and establish clear delivery standards that support quality, consistency, and client satisfaction.
- Oversee workload distribution and coordinate resources across disciplines and offices.
- Provide leadership on projects involving live-airfield constraints, complex phasing, multiple stakeholders, and high public visibility.
- Lead the operational and business performance of the California aviation practice.
- Monitor financial results, project performance, backlog, staffing needs, and forecast accuracy.
- Identify operational or financial risks and implement corrective actions when needed.
- Partner with Division and Regional Leaders to advance annual business plans, market priorities, and sustainable growth initiatives.
- Balance immediate project and operational needs with the long-term health and growth of the practice.
- Ensure company policies, procedures, and quality requirements are consistently followed.
- Serve as a trusted senior point of contact for airport clients, stakeholders, teaming partners, and community partners.
- Support business development, pursuit strategy, and client relationship activities.
- Strengthen the firm’s presence in the California aviation market while expanding existing relationships and identifying new opportunities.
- Communicate directly and proactively with clients to resolve issues and guide projects toward successful outcomes.
- Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing aviation team.
- Provide direct supervision and mentorship to technical leaders and professionals.
- Establish clear expectations for quality, accountability, collaboration, and project delivery.
- Identify technical and professional development needs and provide coaching, mentoring, and on-the-job training.
- Support workforce planning, talent acquisition, succession planning, and career development.
- Foster an environment in which employees can grow while delivering exceptional work for clients.
Benefits
- Employee-owned firm
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
