Welcome to San Diego International Airport, where our core purpose is to create an exceptional experience for both our community and visitors from around the world. It extends beyond just flights; we embody the vibrant spirit of San Diego itself—sunny, welcoming, and full of life. We are committed to attracting, fostering, and empowering a team of talented individuals who can deliver our strategic goals:
- Advance Airport Development
- Transform the Customer Experience
- Optimize Ongoing Business
- Cultivate Our Culture
Here, culture starts with each of us. Our workplace is shaped by mindsets that guide how we show up for one another: believing the best in people, collaboration, empathy, listening, and thoughtful decision-making. If you are ready to contribute to a team that values meaningful impact and enjoys the journey along the way, we invite you to apply today and help us connect our community to the world.
At SAN, we take pride in fostering employee growth and development. This position is exclusively available to current SDCRAA employees, reflecting our commitment to internal advancement; all other applications will not be considered.
Why You'll Love Working at SAN:
- Location: Facilities Management Department Administration Building, located on San Diego International Airport campus’ north end and sits adjacent to the rental car facility, providing one-of-a-kind views of our runway, along with several outdoor terraces and courtyards for employees to engage with nature.
- Hybrid Schedule: This role follows a hybrid schedule with both on-site and remote work. On-site days are required, based on department needs, to support collaboration and business operations. Remote work flexibility is available on other days as determined by the department.
- Salary: The hiring salary range for the Lead Maintenance Project Coordinator is $102,600 to $117,990. The full pay range for the Lead Maintenance Project Coordinator is $78,900 to $126,300.
- Benefits: You will enjoy 14 paid holidays, 18 – 33 days of vacation (PTO), parental and childcare benefits, salary continuance for family & parental leave, tuition reimbursement, ensure your future with our retirement plan options including our comprehensive pension plan and 457 defined contribution plan. Plus, take advantage of our annual employer-funded Lifestyle Spending Account, designed to support your personal development and growth activities—and much more!
- Wellness: Enjoy a workplace that makes well‑being part of the daily routine! Tap into multiple on‑site gyms, unwind or brainstorm in outdoor workspaces, connect with financial wellness advisors, and explore scenic walking trails just steps from campus, all wrapped in a supportive wellness package designed to help you feel your best inside and outside of work.
- Application Deadline: November 3, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the closing date.
This is a promotional opportunity open to active San Diego County Regional Airport Authority employees only.
About the Job:
The Facilities Management team is seeking a Lead Maintenance Project Coordinator to help keep SAN's infrastructure operating safely, reliably, and efficiently. From runways and aprons to airport facilities and landscaped areas, this role leads maintenance and repair projects that support the airport’s day-to-day operations and the experience of the SAN traveler.
The selected candidate will lead complex projects, coordinate contractors and internal partners, and provide technical guidance and mentorship to fellow Maintenance Project Coordinators. Their leadership will help move projects from planning through completion while balancing schedules, budgets, quality, and safety in a dynamic airport environment.
What You’ll Do:
- Lead Maintenance Projects: Lead complex maintenance and repair projects from initial planning and scope development through execution and closeout. Coordinate contractors, internal teams, tenants, and other stakeholders to deliver projects that meet established requirements. Evaluate process improvements in project coordination, procedures, reporting, budgets, and program practices while staying current on relevant industry trends and regulatory requirements.
- Coordinate Contractors & Inspect Work: Serve as a primary liaison between the Authority and contractors, monitoring work performed across the Airport Authority campus. Conduct inspections and verify compliance with contract requirements, budget, plans, specifications, codes, and applicable safety and security standards.
- Project Maintenance: Develop and monitor project schedules, milestones, deliverables, budgets, and cost estimates. Identify risks, resolve field issues, evaluate proposed changes, and recommend corrective actions. Review change order requests, document field adjustments, and assess the potential impact of changes.
- Contract Administration: Develop and review scopes of work, bids, requests for proposals (RFPs), and project estimates. Participate in contractor selection, coordinate contract execution, issue letters to proceed, review documentation supporting contractor payments, and coordinate project closeout.
- Support Team & Department Priorities: Assist management with project portfolio planning, workload distribution, staffing needs, and competing operational priorities. Track project performance, identify resource or scheduling conflicts, and recommend strategies that support departmental goals and operational needs.
- Leadership: Provide day-to-day direction, coaching, and technical guidance to Maintenance Project Coordinators. Assign and prioritize work, coordinate workloads and schedules, clarify expectations, and promote consistent inspection practices, documentation standards, and project procedures.
- Operational Driving*: Drive and operate Authority vehicles to conduct site visits and inspections.
The Skills You Need:
- Business Process Knowledge: Analyzes and interprets work plans and specifications, documents, monitors and inspects routine to complex projects and processes to ensure compliance with requirements; prepares frameworks for process improvement; applies engineering practices, calculations, materials, laws, codes and cost-estimating principles; maintains contracts and ensures safe work practices; and provides technical guidance regarding project requirements and standards.
- Project Management: Plans, organizes, coordinates and monitors multiple maintenance and facilities projects through the project lifecycle; establishes priorities, schedules, milestones and deliverables; monitors scope, cost, schedule, quality and risk; coordinates resources and stakeholders; resolves project issues and dependencies; maintains appropriate project documentation; and communicates project status, risks and recommendations to management and stakeholders.
- Communication & Customer Focus: Proficiently exchanges information through verbal, digital and written communication; facilitates work completion; provides clear direction and technical guidance; and builds effective working relationships with contractors, internal stakeholders, tenants and others.
- Critical Thinking: Works independently and exercises sound judgment; critically reviews and translates project requirements, data and information to specify solutions or alternative practices in support of business objectives and strategies; and reviews work performed by others for accuracy, quality and compliance.
- Problem-Solving & Agility: Analyzes situations and factors, collaboratively generates alternative and practical solutions, readily adapts behavior or new work methods, and effectively responds to evolving and unexpected situations while maintaining project and operational priorities.
- Relationship Building: Builds and maintains relationships with stakeholders; identifies and relates information, ideas and problems; provides guidance and support to team members; and champions initiatives and ideas based on mutually acceptable solutions.
- Leveraging Technology: Effectively uses information electronically and related work systems, including engineering, drafting, project documentation and other technology used to support maintenance and facilities projects.
- Leadership & Team Development: Provides leadership, guidance and support to Maintenance Project Coordinators; promotes accountability, collaboration and consistency in work practices; coaches and mentors staff to build technical and professional capabilities; facilitates knowledge sharing and continuous improvement; identifies development opportunities; and fosters a positive, customer-focused and safety-conscious work environment.
Requirements
The Experience You Need to Have**:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering or closely related field.
- Six years of paraprofessional, public works-related engineering experience, including drafting and construction, civil, plumbing, and/or electrical and mechanical inspection responsibilities
- Or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Licenses, Certificates, and Special Requirements:
- Maintain a valid California driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the Authority’s vehicle insurance policy.
- Successful completion of a fingerprint-based background investigation, training, and testing required for employment and operation of Authority and San Diego County physical security, surveillance, radio and telecommunications equipment.
Preferred Education, Certification, and Licenses:
- Master’s degree in engineering, construction management, project management, facilities management, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field.
- One or more relevant industry-recognized licenses or certifications, such as Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Facility Manager (CFM), Facilities Management Professional (FMP), Certified Construction Manager (CCM), California Professional Engineer (PE), LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP), or an equivalent credential relevant to the assignment.
*Driving is an Essential Function
This role requires regular driving as a critical part of performing work-related duties, specifically involving the operation of Airport Authority vehicles. A valid California driver’s license is required, along with strict adherence to all traffic laws and safety regulations. Applicants must maintain an acceptable driving record to operate Authority vehicles. Compliance with Airport Authority vehicle use policies, including safety protocols and reporting requirements, is mandatory. Applicants must acknowledge that driving Airport Authority vehicles is an essential function of this role.
**Don’t meet every requirement? That’s okay. At San Diego International Airport, we value your unique experience and your willingness to learn. Some roles require specific qualifications or degrees, but others don’t—and we're always open to individuals committed to growth and excellence. If this sounds like you, we encourage you to apply. And if it’s not the right fit, we’ll keep you in mind for future opportunities. We may have the perfect spot for you to land.
EEO Statement
It is the policy of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, SDCRAA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
Physical & Mental Demands
Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation. If you need any form of accommodation during the recruitment process, please inform the Talent Acquisition Partner (Recruiter).
Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as they may be assigned to them by their employer or law.