Civil Engineering Section Lead - Aviation

CHA • Knoxville, TN

1d

About The Position

CHA Consulting, Inc. is seeking a Civil Engineering Section Lead to join its Aviation Team in Knoxville, Tennessee. This role leads and mentors civil engineers, guides project delivery, and remains actively involved in technical work on complex infrastructure projects. Aviation experience is preferred but not required; engineers with experience in site development, land development, transportation, municipal infrastructure, water resources, or related disciplines are encouraged to apply. The position is suited to an experienced engineer pursuing a first formal leadership role or an established leader seeking greater responsibility while continuing technical project delivery.

The Section Lead oversees civil engineering planning, design, and delivery for airport infrastructure, including airfields, terminal-area site improvements, roadways, parking facilities, and utilities. The role coordinates multidisciplinary teams and work assignments, supports staff development, manages project scope, schedules, budgets, and quality, and builds relationships with clients and project partners. It also supports business development and participates in construction observations and administration as needed.

The role offers leadership of infrastructure projects supporting airport safety, sustainability, and operational excellence, along with collaboration across disciplines in a flexible work environment. The stated salary range is $120,000–$130,000, with pay based on factors including qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, training, and market evaluation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering.
• At least 4 years of progressive civil engineering experience in civil site design, land development, municipal infrastructure, transportation, aviation, or other horizontal infrastructure projects.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Experience leading engineering projects, mentoring junior engineers, or coordinating technical teams and work assignments.
• Experience managing project budgets, schedules, and client relationships.
• Strong experience with Civil 3D, AutoCAD, or comparable civil engineering software.
• Working knowledge of QA/QC processes, engineering standards, and project delivery.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills.
• Readiness to take on formal team leadership responsibilities while continuing to contribute technically.

Nice To Haves

• Aviation experience.
• Participation in professional engineering organizations.
• Previous formal people-management or section leadership experience is not required; candidates preparing to take on a first formal team leadership role are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Lead civil engineering planning, design, and delivery for airport infrastructure projects, including airfields, terminal-area site improvements, roadways, parking facilities, and utilities.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams, aligning technical work and project priorities with scope, schedule, and budget commitments.
• Mentor and coach junior engineers, provide technical guidance, and support professional development.
• Coordinate work assignments, balance team workloads, and guide day-to-day execution in partnership with senior leadership.
• Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, and technical quality, applying QA/QC processes throughout project delivery.
• Build relationships with clients, contractors, regulatory agencies, and internal project teams.
• Support business development by participating in proposals, client meetings, and project pursuits.
• Perform periodic field observations during construction, participate in progress meetings, and support construction administration as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior