As part of the airport’s transformative capital program (LEAP), the Aviation Senior Architect ensures that all projects are executed with a strong focus on operational continuity, passenger experience, regulatory compliance, and long-term scalability. This position plays a critical role in integrating design excellence with constructability, phasing, and innovation across a multi-billion-dollar redevelopment effort.

Key Responsibilities

Program & Design Leadership

• Lead architectural design efforts for major aviation capital projects, including terminal redevelopment, enabling, relocation, and repurpose of airport facilities, support facilities, and airfield-related structures.
• Maintain design standards across projects to ensure consistency, quality, and alignment with the airport’s long-term vision.
• Oversee design consultants, including procurement, contract management, and performance monitoring.
• Integrate innovative design solutions, including digital infrastructure, smart building systems, and passenger-focused enhancements.

Project Delivery & Construction Oversight

• Manage the full lifecycle of projects from planning and design through construction and closeout.
• Ensure alignment of scope, schedule, and budget across all phases of project delivery.
• Coordinate closely with Chief Development Officer, Program Management Team, contractors, and internal stakeholders to maintain project momentum and mitigate risks.
• Oversee construction administration activities, including submittal review, field coordination, and issue resolution.

Regulatory & Technical Compliance

• Ensure all designs comply with applicable codes, including building codes, ADA requirements, FAA standards, and other regulatory frameworks.
• Support permitting processes and coordinate with regulatory agencies and City departments.
• Provide technical oversight across architectural, structural, MEP, and utility interfaces to ensure integrated project delivery.

Stakeholder & Tenant Coordination

• Serve as a primary point of contact for tenants, airlines, and external developers undertaking projects on airport property.
• Guide stakeholders through City and airport approval processes, including permitting, design review, and construction requirements.
• Coordinate across airport divisions including operations, maintenance, IT, security, and emergency management.

Program Integration & Innovation

• Support campus-wide initiatives such as digital transformation, BIM integration, and design standardization.
• Ensure projects align with broader airport planning efforts, including the Master Plan and Project Definition Documents (PDDs).
• Contribute to phasing strategies that maintain continuous airport operations during construction.

Leadership & Administration

• Supervise and mentor architectural staff and support personnel, fostering professional development and high-quality deliverables.
• Review and approve consultant invoices and contractor pay applications based on progress and performance.
• Prepare and present reports, briefings, and updates for executive leadership, City officials, and stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate, audit-ready documentation for all assigned projects.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of architectural design, construction methods, and project delivery in complex environments.
• Familiarity with aviation facility requirements, including terminals, airside infrastructure, and operational constraints.
• Understanding of regulatory frameworks including ADA, building codes, and FAA guidance.
• Proficiency in design and project management tools (e.g., BIM, AutoCAD, project controls systems).
• Ability to manage large-scale capital programs, including bond-funded projects.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to balance design excellence with operational and constructability considerations in a live airport environment.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION:  

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from an accredited university.

EXPERIENCE: 

• Four (4) years experience as a licensed architect including familiarity with construction cost estimating, CAD drafting, project administration, project scheduling, building materials and methods of construction.

EQUIVALENCY:  

• High school diploma or GED plus eight (8) years of the required experience will meet the education and experience requirements.
• Associate degree plus six (6) years of the required experience will meet the education and experience requirements.
• Bachelor’s degree in any field plus six (6) years of the required experience will meet the education and experience requirements.
• Master’s degree (or higher) in Architecture from an accredited university plus two (2) years of the required experience will meet the education and experience requirements.

 LICENSES:

• Valid driver’s license with good driving record.
• Current License issued by the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners

OR

• Architect license from other state(s) with a certificate from the National Council of Architectural Registration Board.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS: 

• Must pass Transportation Security Administration (TSA) background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with aviation or transportation infrastructure projects.
• Experience working in highly constrained, operational environments (e.g., airports, hospitals, large campuses).
• Familiarity with large-scale capital programs, including phased construction.
• Experience with BIM implementation and digital design integration across programs.

Why Join Dallas Love Field

Dallas Love Field is undergoing one of the most transformative capital programs in its history. The Aviation Senior Architect will play a central role in shaping the future of the airport—delivering projects that enhance capacity, elevate passenger experience, and reflect the spirit of Dallas through thoughtful, innovative design.

Important Note

This job description is intended to reflect the actual scope and functional expectations of the Aviation Senior Architect role within the Dallas Love Field Department of Aviation. The official City of Dallas job posting may vary in language, structure, or formatting; however, the responsibilities outlined above represent the true nature and expectations of the position.

Salary Range

$85,176.00 – $106,475.20

The salary listed on this job posting is the starting salary range; amount offered will depend upon qualifications.

City of Dallas is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About Dallas Love Field

The City of Dallas owns and operates Dallas Love Field, one of the finest general-purpose airports in the world. The airfield is located seven miles northwest of the downtown central business district and is managed by the City's Department of Aviation.Dallas Love Field provides the best that can be offered in a convenient, efficient airport, serving both commercial airline and corporate user needs. Located in the heart of Dallas, Herb Kelleher Way (formerly Cedar Springs Road) at Mockingbird, the airfield is 20 minutes from the Downtown Convention Center, West End, Infomart, and the Dallas Market Center.Love Field is self-supported through reasonable user fees and charges, with no cost to the taxpayer. Activities at Love Field generate funds that contribute to the local tax base. The airport serves another important function in the community as an essential employer and service provider to the businesses and citizens of Dallas.Love Field is fully equipped with all of the necessary aeronautical lighting, airport marking and air navigation radio aids to ensure its accessibility to aircraft even under highly adverse weather conditions. Its long parallel runways are enhanced with stat...e of the art visual approach lighting aids and four instrument landing systems. Love Field also has a crosswind runway. Other features include surveillance radar services, a windshear warning system and an FAA air traffic control tower that provides services 24 hours a day.Seven full service fixed base operators (FBOs) at Love Field provide general aviation users with a wide variety of services including fuel, maintenance, hangar rentals, and charters. FBOs at Love Field are well equipped to handle executive needs providing first class amenities such as meeting rooms, car rentals, limousine service and restaurants. Love Field is served by Southwest Airlines, Virgin America Airlines, Delta Airlines, and Alaska Airlines.Love Field serves as the front door to Dallas for seven million passengers a year providing a vital link in the economy of the City of Dallas, the region and the nation.

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