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Senior Aviation Design Leader

Los Angeles, California, United States; San Francisco, California, United States

DLR Group is an integrated design firm with a promise to elevate the human experience through design. This fuels the work we do around the world and inspires our mission to improve the lives of our clients, our communities, and our planet. If this sparks your interest, you’re in the right place.

Location(s):

  • Los Angeles
  • San Francisco
  • This role could be based in the cities noted, but any location where DLR Group has an office will be considered.

Position Summary

As the Senior Aviation Design Leader at DLR Group, you will be instrumental in driving strategic growth and profitability across the Aviation sector. The ideal candidate is a recognized industry expert with a deep passion for expanding market presence, mentoring top talent, and building high-performing teams. Success in this role includes securing new win fees, achieving profitability targets, earning design recognition, and establishing a reputation as a leading voice in Aviation Architecture.

This role is actively engaged throughout the phases of project delivery, from early design and technical development to execution, ensuring the creation of innovative, passenger-centric airport environments. These spaces will enhance flow, integrate security and retail elements, and elevate amenities such as lounges and digital check-in areas, all while meeting rigorous aviation industry standards.

What You Will Do

  • Lead the development and execution of a business plan in alignment with sector-wide goals while driving strategic growth and profitability within the assigned sector and region.
  • Design passenger-focused airport environments that improve flow, incorporate security and retail elements, and elevate amenities such as lounges and digital check-in areas, ensuring compliance with aviation standards.
  • Lead the design of passenger-focused airport environments by applying deep knowledge of FAA, TSA, ICAO, ADA, and LEED standards, integrating innovative UX/UI, data-driven crowd management, and emerging technologies, while managing resources and budgets across multi-phase projects.
  • Apply deep insight into passenger operations (from curbside to gate) to design integrated airport experiences that incorporate retail, dining, and emerging technologies.
  • Use industry standards and guidelines related to airport terminal design, including accessibility, sustainability, as well as emerging trends and technologies
  • Apply UX/UI principles, and data analytics for crowd management, and sustainable features to create seamless, world-class passenger environments.
  • Direct and scale design teams, including hiring, mentoring, and managing performance to build high-performing teams.
  • Anticipate and mitigate risks in team scaling, project bidding, and execution such as supply chain issues or regulatory changes affecting passenger flows
  • Collaborate with leaders, and cross-sector teams to pursue and deliver high-impact projects
  • Cultivate thought leadership and represent the sector at regional and national industry events
  • Mentor and develop sector-specific talent, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.
  • Support business development efforts, including identifying opportunities and leading project pursuits
  • Travel as needed to support project acquisition, execution, and team engagement across regional offices
  • Actively participate in sector forums and contribute to the firm’s strategic direction

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Architecture from an accredited program, with focus on interior architecture, urban design, or transportation planning
  • Professional Licensure
  • 12–15+ years of architectural design experience focused on passenger-side airport facilities, including terminal expansions, renovations, and new builds to enhance user experience.
  • Demonstrated success in securing competitive airport project bids, managing full project lifecycles, and consistently delivering on-time, on-budget results that elevate firm reputation.
  • Certifications in airport passenger facility design from ACI or IATA, with a focus on passenger experience (e.g., wayfinding, accessibility, biometrics)
  • Proficiency in strategic planning to win work, including proposal development, client pitches, and partnerships with airport operators, airlines, and consultants.
  • Proven experience designing airport spaces that optimize passenger flow, integrate security and retail, and enhance amenities, while adhering to aviation standards.
  • Expertise in BIM tools such as Revit and AutoCAD, with experience using simulation software (e.g., Simio, AnyLogic) for modeling passenger flow and optimizing design efficiency.
  • Proven leadership experience in integrated design and strategic growth within the AEC industry.
  • Exceptional communication, collaboration, and client engagement skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage complex projects.
  • Deep understanding of market trends, business development, and resource planning.

Preferred Qualifications

  • PMP (Project Management Professional), LEED AP, or executive leadership programs (e.g., from Harvard Business School or similar) to support team growth and business development.
  • Specialized Credentials: Airport Certified Employee (ACE) from AAAE, or certifications in Lean Six Sigma for process optimization in team management and project delivery.
  • Leadership Accolades: Membership in elite groups like the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) or ACI's World Governing Board to bolster credentials for building a world-class team.

    *TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS ROLE, SUBMISSION OF A CURRENT PORTFOLIO IS REQUIRED*

    #LI-JD


Our comprehensive Benefits at DLR Group include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401(k) plan, employee stock ownership, and bonus opportunities. Compensation considerations are based on location, experience, and skills. The suggested pay range for this position is:

Pay Range

$160,000 - $210,000 USD

DLR Group is an integrated design firm delivering architecture, engineering, interiors, planning, and building optimization for new builds, renovations, and adaptive reuse projects.

We are 100% employee-owned: every employee is literally invested in our clients’ success. At the core of our firm are interdisciplinary teams engaged in every step of project lifecycles. Our teams champion true collaboration, open information sharing, shared risk and reward, value-based decision making, and proficient use of technology to deliver exceptional design. We are pursuing the goals of the 2030 Challenge, the ME2040, and the SE2050, and are an initial signatory of the China Accord and the AIA 2030 Commitment.

Through our values – commitment, creativity, environmental stewardship, fun, integrity, ownership, sharing, teamwork – we elevate the human experience through design, together.

DLR Group follows a four-day in-office work model, with employees having the flexibility to work somewhere other than the office on Fridays.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/M/F/Veteran/Disabled employer.

 

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