Job SummaryTYLin is seeking an experienced Design Manager - Airport Terminals to provide design leadership on some of the largest and most complex airport terminal redevelopment programs in North America. This is a unique opportunity for an accomplished aviation professional to lead multidisciplinary design teams, manage key stakeholder relationships, and help deliver world-class terminal facilities that redefine the passenger experience.
We are looking for an exceptional design leader with extensive experience managing the design of major airport terminal projects in the United States or internationally. The successful candidate will bring a proven ability to lead complex multidisciplinary teams while collaborating closely with airport owners, general contractors, design consultants, airlines, and other project stakeholders throughout the lifecycle of large capital programs.
Responsibilities & QualificationsThe OpportunityAs
Design Manager - Airport Terminals, you will be responsible for leading the overall design management process on major terminal development projects. You will oversee multidisciplinary design coordination, ensure technical excellence, and serve as the primary liaison between the client, design teams, contractors, and specialty consultants.
This role requires an individual who understands the complexities of designing airport terminals within active operational environments and who can successfully balance stakeholder expectations, technical requirements, constructability, budget, schedule, and operational continuity.
You will play a critical leadership role in ensuring that design solutions are coordinated, buildable, and aligned with the client's vision and project objectives.
Responsibilities- Lead the design management of major airport terminal development and redevelopment projects from concept through construction support.
- Manage multidisciplinary design teams consisting of architects, engineers, planners, interior designers, baggage handling specialists, structural engineers, MEP engineers, aviation planners, and specialty consultants.
- Serve as the primary design interface between the client, general contractor, joint venture partners, and consultant teams.
- Lead design coordination meetings and facilitate collaboration among all project stakeholders.
- Develop and manage design delivery strategies, schedules, milestones, and resource plans.
- Ensure design quality, technical coordination, and compliance with project objectives, airport standards, codes, and regulatory requirements.
- Oversee interdisciplinary coordination to resolve complex design challenges while maintaining project schedule and budget.
- Coordinate design packages through all project phases, including programming, concept design, schematic design, design development, construction documentation, and construction support.
- Support value engineering, constructability reviews, design risk assessments, and change management activities.
- Monitor consultant performance and ensure timely delivery of coordinated, high-quality design documentation.
- Present design solutions, project updates, and technical recommendations to executive leadership and client stakeholders.
- Mentor project managers, discipline leads, and emerging design professionals within the Aviation practice.
QualificationsRequired- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture, Engineering, or a related discipline.
- 15+ years of progressive experience delivering complex airport terminal design projects.
- Demonstrated experience serving in a Design Manager, Design Lead, Senior Project Manager, or similar leadership role on large airport terminal developments.
- Proven success managing multidisciplinary design teams on major aviation programs.
- Extensive knowledge of airport terminal planning, architectural coordination, passenger processing systems, operational requirements, and design integration.
- Exceptional stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
- Experience working directly with airport owners, executive client teams, general contractors, construction managers, and multidisciplinary consultant teams.
- Strong understanding of project delivery, design management, quality assurance, and construction coordination.
- Outstanding communication, leadership, negotiation, and presentation skills.
Preferred- Registered Architect (RA) or Professional Engineer (PE) license.
- Experience delivering projects for the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ).
- Experience on large hub airport terminal redevelopment programs valued in the hundreds of millions or billions of dollars.
- Experience with Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build, CMAR, or Public-Private Partnership (P3) delivery models.
- PMP certification is considered an asset.
Typical Project ExperienceThe ideal candidate will have led the design and coordination of projects such as:
- New airport terminals
- Terminal expansions and major modernization programs
- Passenger concourses and gate facilities
- Check-in halls and ticketing areas
- Security screening and passenger processing facilities
- International arrivals and customs facilities
- Baggage handling systems integration
- Airline operational spaces
- Premium passenger lounges
- Multi-phase terminal redevelopment programs delivered within active airport environments
Ideal CandidateYou are a collaborative design leader with a passion for aviation infrastructure and a reputation for delivering technically complex airport terminal projects. You excel at bringing together diverse teams, resolving competing priorities, and fostering strong partnerships between clients, contractors, and consultants.
You understand that successful airport projects require more than technical expertise-they demand proactive communication, strategic thinking, and the ability to align multiple stakeholders around a shared vision. Your experience leading large-scale terminal programs has equipped you to confidently navigate the challenges of delivering projects in operational airports while maintaining the highest standards of design quality, safety, and project performance.
Additional InformationTYLin is committed to pay equity.As part of that commitment, we have provided the base compensation range of $197,600 - $275,600 annually for this position and local market. We recognize that each candidate brings a unique set of skills, experience, education and competencies to the table that will be reflected in our offer. TYLin is proud to offer exciting career development opportunities.
TYLin offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Our benefits may include extensive medical, disability and life insurance coverage, continuing education benefits, paid time off, employee assistance program and a retirement savings plan with company matching contributions.
We encourage all candidates to explore our total rewards offering.
Collaboration, mission-driven focus, discipline, and leadership skills developed through military service benefit us all. Whether you are a Veteran, Guardsman or Reservist, a Military Spouse or you are planning to transition to civilian life in the near future, we welcome and value your application.
