Aviation Project Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest quality solutions on time, on budget, and above and beyond expectations. With $7.6 billion in revenue for 2024, Clayco specializes in the "art and science of building," providing fast track, efficient solutions for industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential related building projects.

LJC Design & Engineering is a full-service architecture, engineering, and design firm committed to enhancing the quality of the human experience through integrated design. We are a team of high-energy professionals who share a passion for design, a collaborative approach, and a casual culture. We solve challenges by leveraging the collective expertise and ingenuity of the best and brightest minds across development, design, and construction.

The Role We Want You For

LJC is looking to hire a Project Architect to join our growing Aviation practice. We are focused on expanding our team so that we can continue to deliver a wide range of project types that include terminal work, airport lounges, baggage systems projects, support spaces, and maintenance facilities across the nation and globally.

The ideal candidate will participate with LJC’s leadership team, helping our Aviation market grow its presence in geographic markets and client groups. The Project Architect will be focused on execution of the next generation of projects within the aviation market as well as the mentorship and professional development of staff.

The Specifics of the Role

• Lead Aviation architectural projects among all design phases through construction administration – delivering on scope, schedule, and quality
• Guide design teams to ensure client satisfaction, meet code compliance, and integrate creative design solutions on Aviation projects of a variety of scale and complexity
• Demonstrate expertise in challenges specific to aviation-focused projects, both airside and landside projects
• Lead and coordinate development of construction documents with project team, engineers, consultants, and builder
• Build and maintain strong client relationships to understand needs and manage expectations throughout the project.
• Partner with the Project Manager to track schedule, budget, staffing, and risk
• Conduct regular quality reviews to uphold high standards of design and constructability
• Mentor junior staff and foster a collaborative, innovated team culture
• Ability to work autonomously and travel occasionally as required
• Practices LJC’s core values of integrity, humility and fearlessness
• Contributes to LJC’s Core Councils (Culture, Integration, Practice, Process and Sustainability)

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture or a related field
• 7+ years of relevant experience in architecture and design with a focus on aviation projects
• Registered Architect with a current license
• Proven experience executing multiple and complex projects
• Understanding of building and accessibility codes
• Demonstrated competence with Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD/Revit, MS Office
• Exemplary written and spoken communication
• Comfort and poise presenting to external and internal audiences 
• Proficient with client communications and relationship development

Some Things You Should Know

• Our clients and projects are nationwide
• No other builder can offer the collaborative design-build approach that Clayco does.
• We work on creative, complex, award-winning, high-profile jobs.
• The pace is fast!

Why Clayco and LJC?

• 2025 Best Places to Work – St. Louis Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Phoenix Business Journal.
• 2025 ENR Midwest – Midwest Contractor (#1).
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Design-Build Firms – Design-Build Contractor (Top 5).
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Green Contractors – Green Contractor (Top 3).
• 2025 ENR Top 25 Data Center Builders – Data Center Contractor (Top 3).

Benefits

• Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company and individual performance.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: Medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!

Compensation

• The salary range for this position considers a wide range of factors in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: Education, qualifications, skills, training, experience, certifications, internal equity, and location. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The Clayco Nationwide salary range for this position is approximately $105,000 - $125,000 +/- annually (not adjusted for location).