H-1B Visa Aviation Jobs
Aviation roles in air traffic control, aerospace engineering, and flight operations regularly appear on H-1B visa employer filings. Many aviation employers qualify as cap-exempt or have established sponsorship pipelines for specialty occupation roles requiring a bachelor's degree in engineering, aviation science, or a directly related technical field.
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A Brief Overview
The Aviation Construction Section Manager is responsible for the strategic leadership, operational performance, and growth of the aviation construction project management team within the Construction Global Practice. This leader oversees the delivery of complex airport capital improvement programs and aviation infrastructure projects, including terminals, runways, taxiways, aprons, support facilities, utility infrastructure, and landside developments.
The Aviation Construction Section Manager provides managerial direction to a team of construction project managers responsible for planning, executing, and delivering aviation projects for airport authorities, airlines, federal agencies, and other aviation clients. The role is responsible for developing high-performing teams, supporting business strategy, driving profitable growth, and ensuring successful project delivery while maintaining Burns & McDonnell's commitment to safety, quality, client service, and operational excellence.
This leader must understand the unique challenges of delivering projects within active airport environments, balancing construction activities with ongoing airport operations, regulatory requirements, stakeholder coordination, and public-facing impacts.
What You Will Do
- Provide leadership, mentorship, and strategic direction to a team of aviation construction project managers responsible for delivering airport and aviation infrastructure projects.
- Lead the growth and operational performance of the aviation construction section, ensuring appropriate staffing, resource allocation, utilization, and workforce development to support current and future project demands.
- Oversee the planning and execution of airport capital improvement programs (CIP) and aviation construction projects, including terminal expansions, airfield improvements, utility upgrades, cargo facilities, maintenance facilities, and other aviation-related infrastructure.
- Ensure successful project delivery through all phases of planning, procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout while maintaining safety, quality, schedule, and budget objectives.
- Provide leadership and oversight for projects executed within active airport environments, ensuring construction activities are coordinated to minimize impacts to airport operations, airline stakeholders, passengers, and the traveling public.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to airport authorities, airlines, federal agencies, and aviation clients while building and maintaining strong client relationships.
- Lead collaboration between engineering, construction, and client teams to support integrated project delivery and successful execution of aviation programs.
- Coordinate with airport owners, airline partners, regulatory agencies, FAA representatives, and community stakeholders to address project requirements, risks, operational impacts, and public communications.
- Support project delivery strategies, construction phasing plans, risk management initiatives, and operational coordination plans necessary for construction within secure and operational airport environments.
- Implement and support company, global practice, and regional initiatives while successfully leading organizational change and continuous improvement efforts within the section.
- Achieve business performance objectives, including revenue growth, profitability, utilization, backlog development, and client satisfaction.
- Manage section budgets, staffing forecasts, succession planning, recruiting efforts, and professional development programs.
- Review project and portfolio performance, including schedules, budgets, forecasts, risk registers, cash flow projections, and financial reporting.
- Identify and communicate project risks, operational impacts, schedule challenges, and mitigation strategies to internal and external stakeholders.
- Collaborate with business development leaders, aviation practice leadership, and project teams to identify opportunities, develop client relationships, pursue strategic projects, and support proposal development activities.
- Conduct project safety, quality, operational readiness, and financial reviews to ensure successful delivery and adherence to Burns & McDonnell and client standards.
- Support the continued growth of Burns & McDonnell's Aviation & Federal construction practice through market engagement, industry involvement, client relationship development, and strategic talent acquisition.
Qualifications
- Bachelor Degree in engineering, architecture, construction, or related degree from an accredited program and 5 years related professional experience in design and/or project management required or applicable experience may be substituted for the degree requirement.
- Previous experience in aviation or airport construction experience preferred.
- Previous leadership and/or management experience is preferable.
- Must demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to clearly and effectively present complex information to all levels of employees, management, and clients.
- Position requires the ability to thoughtfully and positively influence, lead, and manage change.
- Must possess strong project management skills and a strategic perspective.
- Must be expert in the use of computer software (i.e., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Compensation
$115,000.00-350,000.00 Yearly
The expected compensation range for this position is displayed in compliance with all local/state regulations. The expected compensation range for this position is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: individual education, qualifications, prior work experience and work location. The total annual compensation package will consist of a base salary and eligibility to participate in our discretionary year-end incentive bonus program.
Benefits
Our extensive benefits package takes care of you so that you can focus on doing great work. From insurance and disability to time off and wellness programs, we provide the tools to meet your needs. As part of being 100% employee-owned, eligible employees participate in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in addition to our 401(k) retirement program. For more information, please visit the Benefits & Wellness page.
This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.
EEO/Disabled/Veterans
Job Construction Services
Primary Location US-IL-Chicago
Other Locations US-MO-Kansas City, US-CO-Denver, US-GA-Atlanta, US-MN-Minneapolis/St Paul
Schedule: Full-time
Travel: Yes, 25 % of the Time
Req ID: 264617
Job Hire Type Experienced #LI-AN #CDB N/A
Description
A Brief Overview
The Aviation Construction Section Manager is responsible for the strategic leadership, operational performance, and growth of the aviation construction project management team within the Construction Global Practice. This leader oversees the delivery of complex airport capital improvement programs and aviation infrastructure projects, including terminals, runways, taxiways, aprons, support facilities, utility infrastructure, and landside developments.
The Aviation Construction Section Manager provides managerial direction to a team of construction project managers responsible for planning, executing, and delivering aviation projects for airport authorities, airlines, federal agencies, and other aviation clients. The role is responsible for developing high-performing teams, supporting business strategy, driving profitable growth, and ensuring successful project delivery while maintaining Burns & McDonnell's commitment to safety, quality, client service, and operational excellence.
This leader must understand the unique challenges of delivering projects within active airport environments, balancing construction activities with ongoing airport operations, regulatory requirements, stakeholder coordination, and public-facing impacts.
What You Will Do
- Provide leadership, mentorship, and strategic direction to a team of aviation construction project managers responsible for delivering airport and aviation infrastructure projects.
- Lead the growth and operational performance of the aviation construction section, ensuring appropriate staffing, resource allocation, utilization, and workforce development to support current and future project demands.
- Oversee the planning and execution of airport capital improvement programs (CIP) and aviation construction projects, including terminal expansions, airfield improvements, utility upgrades, cargo facilities, maintenance facilities, and other aviation-related infrastructure.
- Ensure successful project delivery through all phases of planning, procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout while maintaining safety, quality, schedule, and budget objectives.
- Provide leadership and oversight for projects executed within active airport environments, ensuring construction activities are coordinated to minimize impacts to airport operations, airline stakeholders, passengers, and the traveling public.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to airport authorities, airlines, federal agencies, and aviation clients while building and maintaining strong client relationships.
- Lead collaboration between engineering, construction, and client teams to support integrated project delivery and successful execution of aviation programs.
- Coordinate with airport owners, airline partners, regulatory agencies, FAA representatives, and community stakeholders to address project requirements, risks, operational impacts, and public communications.
- Support project delivery strategies, construction phasing plans, risk management initiatives, and operational coordination plans necessary for construction within secure and operational airport environments.
- Implement and support company, global practice, and regional initiatives while successfully leading organizational change and continuous improvement efforts within the section.
- Achieve business performance objectives, including revenue growth, profitability, utilization, backlog development, and client satisfaction.
- Manage section budgets, staffing forecasts, succession planning, recruiting efforts, and professional development programs.
- Review project and portfolio performance, including schedules, budgets, forecasts, risk registers, cash flow projections, and financial reporting.
- Identify and communicate project risks, operational impacts, schedule challenges, and mitigation strategies to internal and external stakeholders.
- Collaborate with business development leaders, aviation practice leadership, and project teams to identify opportunities, develop client relationships, pursue strategic projects, and support proposal development activities.
- Conduct project safety, quality, operational readiness, and financial reviews to ensure successful delivery and adherence to Burns & McDonnell and client standards.
- Support the continued growth of Burns & McDonnell's Aviation & Federal construction practice through market engagement, industry involvement, client relationship development, and strategic talent acquisition.
Qualifications
- Bachelor Degree in engineering, architecture, construction, or related degree from an accredited program and 5 years related professional experience in design and/or project management required or applicable experience may be substituted for the degree requirement.
- Previous experience in aviation or airport construction experience preferred.
- Previous leadership and/or management experience is preferable.
- Must demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to clearly and effectively present complex information to all levels of employees, management, and clients.
- Position requires the ability to thoughtfully and positively influence, lead, and manage change.
- Must possess strong project management skills and a strategic perspective.
- Must be expert in the use of computer software (i.e., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Compensation
$115,000.00-350,000.00 Yearly
The expected compensation range for this position is displayed in compliance with all local/state regulations. The expected compensation range for this position is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: individual education, qualifications, prior work experience and work location. The total annual compensation package will consist of a base salary and eligibility to participate in our discretionary year-end incentive bonus program.
Benefits
Our extensive benefits package takes care of you so that you can focus on doing great work. From insurance and disability to time off and wellness programs, we provide the tools to meet your needs. As part of being 100% employee-owned, eligible employees participate in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in addition to our 401(k) retirement program. For more information, please visit the Benefits & Wellness page.
This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.
EEO/Disabled/Veterans
Job Construction Services
Primary Location US-IL-Chicago
Other Locations US-MO-Kansas City, US-CO-Denver, US-GA-Atlanta, US-MN-Minneapolis/St Paul
Schedule: Full-time
Travel: Yes, 25 % of the Time
Req ID: 264617
Job Hire Type Experienced #LI-AN #CDB N/A
See all 285+ H-1B Visa Aviation Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Aviation
Verify your role meets specialty occupation
Aviation covers everything from ramp agents to aerospace engineers, but only roles requiring a specific bachelor's degree qualify for H-1B. Check your job title against O*NET to confirm the degree requirement before applying.
Target FAA-regulated employers with filing history
Airlines, MRO facilities, and aerospace contractors regulated by the FAA are more likely to have established H-1B pipelines. Search Migrate Mate to filter employers by verified H-1B LCA filing history in aviation occupations.
Confirm foreign license equivalency early
If you hold a foreign ATPL, type rating, or engineering certification, have it evaluated for U.S. equivalency before your employer files. USCIS scrutinizes specialty occupation claims when credentials come from non-U.S. licensing bodies.
Ask employers about cap-exempt status upfront
Some aviation employers, including certain government contractors and research institutions, qualify as cap-exempt, meaning no lottery and no annual deadline. Ask HR directly whether they can file outside the April cap cycle.
Understand prevailing wage tiers for aviation roles
Aviation job titles often span multiple DOL wage levels depending on supervisory duties and required experience. Use the OFLC Wage Search to check whether your offered role is classified at Level I through IV before your employer submits the LCA.
Time your application around the 60-day grace period
If you're transitioning between aviation employers, you have a 60-day grace period after your previous role ends. Your new employer must file a new H-1B petition before that window closes to maintain your status continuously.
H-1B Visa Aviation: Frequently Asked Questions
Do aviation jobs qualify as H-1B specialty occupations?
Many aviation roles qualify, but it depends on the specific position. Aerospace engineers, avionics technicians, air traffic control systems specialists, and aviation safety analysts typically meet the specialty occupation standard because the roles require a bachelor's degree in a directly related field. Roles like pilots or ground crew generally do not qualify because they don't require a specific degree for entry.
Which types of aviation employers sponsor H-1B visas most frequently?
Commercial airlines, aerospace manufacturers, MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) companies, FAA-contracted engineering firms, and defense contractors are the most active H-1B filers in aviation. Research and development divisions at companies working on unmanned systems or next-generation aircraft also file regularly. You can browse employers with verified aviation H-1B filing history on Migrate Mate.
Can aviation employers file outside the H-1B lottery cap?
Yes, if the employer qualifies as cap-exempt. Aviation employers that are government contractors working directly for a federal agency, or organizations engaged in qualifying research, may file H-1B petitions at any time without entering the lottery. Ask your prospective employer's HR or immigration counsel whether they meet the cap-exemption criteria under USCIS rules before counting on this pathway.
How does the DOL prevailing wage requirement affect aviation H-1B filings?
Your employer must certify through an LCA that your offered wage meets or exceeds the DOL prevailing wage for your specific occupation and work location. Aviation roles vary significantly by wage level, so an employer filing for an entry-level avionics engineer faces a different threshold than one filing for a senior systems integration specialist. Use the OFLC Wage Search to check the applicable wage level for your role and location before your employer submits the LCA.
What happens to my H-1B status if my aviation employer is acquired or goes through a merger?
If the acquiring company is a successor in interest, it can assume your existing H-1B petition without filing a new one, provided your job duties and location remain substantially the same. If the acquisition materially changes your role or employer EIN, the new entity must file an amended or new H-1B petition. USCIS has issued guidance on successor-in-interest transfers, but the facts of the transaction determine whether a new filing is required.