Discipline Lead / Group Manager, Airfield Lighting & Power Distribution

TKDA•Bloomington, MN

40d•$130,000 - $187,500•Hybrid

About The Position

TKDA is seeking a senior electrical engineer to lead and develop a team of electrical engineers, designers, and technicians while growing the firm’s aviation electrical services. The Group Manager will coach and mentor team members, create development plans aligned with strategic and annual business plans, guide technical work, and expand the team’s capabilities in airfield lighting, NAVAIDs, airport power distribution, controls, communications, security systems, and related aviation infrastructure. The role includes assessing team capacity and capabilities, assembling project teams, delegating and reviewing design work, overseeing deliverables and schedules, and guiding the preparation of calculations, reports, plans, specifications, and cost estimates. It also supports construction administration through contractor responses, submittal reviews, and site observations or inspections. The Group Manager provides technical oversight throughout project lifecycles, from planning and concept development through final design and construction, and may serve as project manager for strategic or high-profile projects. Working with aviation leaders and other group managers, the role advances aviation electrical services and client relationships. Responsibilities include contributing to client and market development plans, cultivating relationships with airport owners, aviation stakeholders, and agency partners, tracking opportunities, leading proposals, and presenting qualifications. The role also supports project pursuits by defining electrical scope, evaluating team capacity, developing fee estimates and delivery approaches, and participating in interviews and presentations. The position is based within regular commuting distance of TKDA’s MSP/Bloomington, Minnesota location. The work arrangement is flexible hybrid, typically three days in the office and two days remote. Because of project design-build needs and seasonal construction schedules, the role may require office and/or Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport onsite work five days per week from April 1 through November 15. The target base compensation range is $130,000–$187,500 per year for candidates with 10 to 20 years of professional experience. Compensation may exceed this range based on experience, qualifications, and demonstrated performance. TKDA is a 100% employee-owned firm with more than 430 professionals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Professional Engineer (PE) registration in at least one state.
Ten or more years of progressive experience in electrical engineering design and project leadership.
Extensive experience designing power, lighting, control, communications, and signal systems for airport, commercial, industrial, institutional, utility, or transportation facilities, with the ability to apply that expertise to aviation infrastructure.
Technical knowledge of airport and airfield electrical systems, including airfield lighting and signage, series circuits, NAVAIDs, electrical vaults and controls, power distribution, standby generators, UPS, communications, and security systems.
Experience designing electrical distribution equipment and systems, including panelboards, transformers, one-line diagrams, emergency power, lighting, fire alarm, security, data, conduit, and cable systems; experience with 208/120-volt and 480/277-volt systems.
Thorough knowledge of the National Electrical Code and ability to interpret and apply FAA Advisory Circulars, Unified Facilities Criteria, and other airport or airfield design requirements.
Strong working knowledge of AutoCAD, Revit, and Microsoft Office applications, plus experience with applicable electrical engineering calculation and design tools.
Demonstrated ability to lead electrical and multidisciplinary project teams and coordinate with Civil, Mechanical, Structural, and Architectural professionals.
Experience delivering calculations, reports, plans, specifications, cost estimates, and construction documents.
Experience in construction administration and inspection or observation, including interpreting plans and specifications, reviewing submittals, responding to contractor questions, documenting field conditions, and verifying conformance with project requirements.
Experience in business development, including defining proposal scope, preparing fee estimates, cultivating client relationships, tracking opportunities, and facilitating or leading qualifications presentations.
Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop electrical professionals with varying competencies, qualifications, and experience.
Strong focus on quality, including adherence to design requirements, thorough quality reviews, and continuous improvement of technical accuracy and project delivery.
Commitment to promoting a safety culture through training, risk assessment and mitigation, and adherence to safety policies and regulations.
Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including preparing technical specifications and reports and leading project meetings and client consultations.
Ability to travel locally and nationally as needed.
Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
Must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future visa sponsorship.
Must complete pre-employment screening upon acceptance of a conditional offer, including Social Security, education, criminal conviction, and driving history verification.

Nice To Haves

Professional registration in multiple states.
Active participation in professional activities, societies, and organizations related to aviation or electrical engineering.
Experience contributing to client engagement and development plans, annual business plans, and strategic market development plans.
Track record of securing opportunities with established, emerging, and prospective airport, aviation, or public-sector clients.
Experience designing private-owner underground or overhead medium-voltage site power distribution systems, including 13.8 kV systems.
Experience with industrial power-system design for motor and process equipment controls and power-system analysis software such as SKM Power Tools.
Experience supporting commercial, general aviation, or air defense facilities and coordinating requirements with airport owners, operators, the FAA, and other stakeholders.
Portfolio of aviation or complex infrastructure projects demonstrating innovation in electrical design strategies, resilient systems, or deliverable solutions.

Responsibilities

Coach, mentor, and develop electrical engineers, designers, and technicians, and create professional development plans aligned with business needs.
Guide electrical design practices and standards, provide direction on complex design challenges, and support coordination with Civil, Mechanical, Structural, and Architectural disciplines.
Assess team capabilities and capacity against project scopes and commitments; assemble project teams and delegate design tasks.
Review work for compliance with applicable codes, standards, FAA requirements, and quality assurance and quality control processes; oversee deliverable progress against submittal schedules.
Guide preparation of engineering calculations, technical reports, plans, specifications, and construction cost estimates.
Support construction administration through contractor question responses, submittal reviews, and site observations or inspections.
Identify and expand team capabilities in aviation electrical systems, including airfield lighting, signage, series circuits, NAVAIDs, electrical vaults and controls, power distribution, standby generation, UPS, communications, and security.
Contribute to client engagement, annual business, and market development plans; cultivate and maintain relationships with airport owners, aviation stakeholders, and agency partners.
Track prospective opportunities, lead proposals, prepare and present qualifications, and support project interviews.
Develop regional and national awareness of TKDA’s aviation electrical capabilities in collaboration with other firm representatives.
Provide technical oversight and guidance to project teams and project managers throughout planning, design, and construction for commercial and general aviation facilities.
Assume project manager responsibilities for strategic and high-profile projects when needed.
Support project pursuits by defining electrical scope, evaluating team capabilities and capacity, developing fee estimates and delivery approaches, and participating in presentations and interviews.
Promote safety excellence through training, project and site risk assessment and mitigation, and adherence to safety policies, requirements, and regulations.
Travel locally and nationally as needed for meetings, client consultations, inspections, business development, conferences, and visits to TKDA offices.