Mechanical Project Manager (Aviation) (Philadelphia, Full-Time)

Mechanical Project Manager (Aviation) (Philadelphia, Full-Time) Location: Philadelphia, PA Employment Type: Full-Time Work Arrangement: Fully On-Site (Hybrid potential based on project needs and client approval; not guaranteed.) Note: We kindly ask not to be contacted at this time by recruiters or third-party agencies.

Our Company At Mc. Knight International, we specialize in providing innovative project controls and infrastructure technology consulting services to architects, engineers, and construction firms. Our work spans aviation, transportation, capital improvement programs, civil infrastructure, commercial development, and infrastructure technology initiatives.

We focus on integrating qualified personnel and effective systems to deliver precision, visibility, and successful project outcomes. Our organization is committed to fostering innovation, collaboration, and operational excellence while supporting complex infrastructure and consulting environments. To learn more about Mc.

Knight International, please visit mcknightintl.com. For additional career opportunities, visit mcknightintl.com/careers. The Role Mc. Knight International is seeking a senior-level Mechanical Project Manager with 10+ years of experience to support complex aviation capital improvement and infrastructure programs in Philadelphia, PA.

This role is responsible for overseeing the planning, coordination, execution, and delivery of mechanical scopes associated with electrical substations and supporting aviation infrastructure within an active airport environment. The ideal candidate combines strong project management expertise with experience in mechanical systems, substation-support infrastructure, aviation construction, stakeholder coordination, and regulatory compliance.

The role requires a strong focus on safety, schedule adherence, cost control, quality, and continuity of airport operations. The individual hired will represent Mc. Knight International while coordinating with aviation stakeholders, designers, contractors, consultants, project controls personnel, and multidisciplinary project teams.

This position is primarily on-site within an active aviation environment. Limited hybrid flexibility may be available depending on project phase and client approval; however, on-site presence is a core requirement.

Requirements

Leadership Scope

• Lead mechanical program deliverables requiring cross-functional coordination
• Provide clear direction, goals, and accountability to project teams
• Participate in weekly team and client meetings to review progress and performance
• Lead the development and delivery of recurring program reports, including schedule, cost, risk, and performance metrics
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to continuous improvement and team development
• Coordinate closely with multidisciplinary project teams, contractors, consultants, and client representatives
• Promote accountability, collaboration, safety, and successful project delivery Essential Job Functions Project Planning & Execution
• Define project scope, objectives, milestones, and deliverables in coordination with aviation stakeholders
• Develop and manage detailed project plans, schedules, and resource strategies
• Coordinate planning and execution activities across project teams and stakeholders
• Manage mechanical project activities through construction, testing, commissioning, turnover, and closeout Budget & Cost Management
• Develop and manage project budgets for large-scale aviation mechanical and infrastructure projects
• Track project costs and expenditures
• Analyze budget and cost variances
• Forecast project cost trends and implement corrective actions when necessary
• Support cost control, estimating, and financial reporting activities Schedule Management
• Develop, manage, and monitor project schedules
• Coordinate with project controls personnel on integrated program schedules
• Coordinate work sequencing with airport operations, substation construction, phasing constraints, shutdown requirements, and project stakeholders
• Identify schedule impacts and support development of recovery or mitigation strategies Mechanical & Technical Oversight
• Oversee mechanical systems supporting electrical substations and related aviation infrastructure, including HVAC, ventilation, cooling, plumbing, drainage, fire protection interfaces, and building automation/control systems
• Coordinate mechanical requirements with electrical equipment, electrical rooms, substation facilities, structural systems, and other supporting infrastructure
• Review mechanical drawings, specifications, submittals, RFIs, and technical documentation
• Ensure mechanical work complies with project drawings, specifications, applicable codes, and aviation facility requirements
• Coordinate mechanical interfaces with electrical, structural, civil, architectural, and other project disciplines
• Coordinate system testing, commissioning, turnover, and closeout activities Risk & Quality Management
• Identify project risks and develop mitigation strategies
• Monitor project issues and implement practical corrective actions
• Implement and support QA/QC processes to meet or exceed client and industry standards
• Ensure project deliverables meet applicable quality requirements and client expectations Stakeholder & Client Communication
• Serve as a primary point of contact between aviation stakeholders, designers, contractors, consultants, and client representatives
• Maintain clear and consistent communication across project teams
• Prepare and present project status reports, performance updates, and executive-level briefings
• Participate in client meetings, coordination meetings, and project progress reviews Contract Administration & Compliance
• Support contract administration, change management, and claims resolution
• Monitor compliance with contractual obligations and project requirements
• Ensure compliance with applicable FAA, OSHA, environmental, mechanical/building codes, and local regulatory requirements
• Support adherence to project safety, security, and environmental requirements Team Leadership
• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary teams including engineers, inspectors, contractors, consultants, and commissioning personnel
• Coordinate closely with electrical project teams to ensure mechanical systems effectively support substation operations and requirements
• Foster a collaborative, professional, accountable, and safety-focused project environment Problem Solving & Decision Support
• Identify and address mechanical, construction, schedule, cost, and coordination challenges
• Develop practical solutions that maintain project progress and operational requirements
• Support project decision-making related to mechanical systems, sequencing, constructability, testing, and commissioning Qualifications Required
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, Engineering Management, Architecture, or a related field
• Minimum ten (10) years of experience managing complex, multi-phase capital construction programs
• Demonstrated experience supporting aviation or transportation infrastructure projects
• Proven experience managing mechanical construction scopes in active or mission-critical facilities
• Strong background in schedule management, cost control, estimating, forecasting, and risk management
• Experience reviewing and communicating project performance metrics, dashboards, and reports
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams, consultants, contractors, and client organizations
• Knowledge of multiple construction delivery methods, including Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, CM at Risk, or similar delivery methods
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, leadership, and decision-making abilities
• Ability to manage multiple priorities within an active construction and aviation environment Preferred Experience
• Experience with mechanical systems supporting electrical substations, electrical equipment rooms, utility infrastructure, or comparable critical facilities
• Experience supporting large-scale, multi-project capital improvement programs
• Experience supporting major aviation programs valued at $500M+
• Airport capital improvement program experience
• Mechanical construction experience within active airport environments
• Experience coordinating shutdowns, cutovers, testing, commissioning, and operationally sensitive construction activities
• Experience coordinating mechanical and electrical infrastructure interfaces Preferred Certifications One or more of the following professional credentials is strongly preferred but not required:
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Professional Engineer (PE)
• Certified Construction Manager (CCM – CMAA)
• Project scheduling or controls certifications, as applicable Equivalent experience delivering complex aviation, mechanical, and infrastructure programs will be considered in lieu of certifications. Preferred Education
• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, Engineering Management, or a related discipline Technical Proficiencies
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Primavera P6 or similar project controls and scheduling platforms
• Construction management software platforms
• Project management software platforms
• Schedule management and reporting tools
• Project documentation and reporting systems
• Project controls and performance reporting platforms Physical, Schedule & Eligibility Requirements
• Full-time position
• Primarily on-site within an active aviation environment in Philadelphia, PA
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and drive for extended periods
• Ability to navigate active construction sites and uneven terrain
• Ability to access mechanical, utility, and supporting substation facilities as required
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, and safety footwear
• Additional hours may be required based on project demands, including shutdowns, testing, commissioning, or other operationally sensitive activities
• Hybrid work may be available on a limited basis depending on project needs and client approval but is not guaranteed
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship
• Must be able to successfully pass all background checks and security clearances required for the assigned work location
• Must have reliable transportation to and from assigned work location(s). Travel and commuting expenses are not reimbursed unless otherwise approved in writing. Salary Annual base salary range: $145,000 – $180,000.

Compensation

will be determined based on experience, qualifications, certifications, and relevant aviation, mechanical, and project management experience and will comply with applicable federal, state, and local pay equity requirements.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• 401(k) with employer matching contribution
• Paid time off (PTO) and company holidays
• Professional development and certification support
• Collaborative and growth-oriented work environment