Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL) Lead Engineer

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Job Description:

Parsons is looking for an amazingly talented Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL) Lead Engineer to lead the design review, technical coordination, construction support, testing, and commissioning activities associated with airfield lighting systems for a major Airport, Infrastructure, and Airfield Development Project.

The successful candidate will provide technical leadership for the delivery of runway lighting, taxiway lighting, apron lighting, approach lighting systems, visual navigation aids (NAVAIDs), airfield lighting control systems, constant current regulators, airfield power systems, and associated infrastructure.

The AGL Lead Engineer will ensure that all airfield lighting systems are designed, installed, tested, and commissioned in accordance with ICAO Annex 14, FAA standards, airport operational requirements, and project specifications. The role requires extensive experience in airport airfield lighting systems, multidisciplinary coordination, construction supervision, and integration with airport operational systems.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Lead and manage all Airfield Ground Lighting engineering activities throughout the project lifecycle.

• Provide technical leadership and guidance to AGL engineers, designers, consultants, contractors, and specialist vendors.

• Establish AGL technical review procedures, design requirements, and delivery standards.

• Ensure AGL engineering activities align with project objectives, operational requirements, and airport safety standards.

• Support engineering planning, resource coordination, and technical governance activities.

• Lead the review of AGL designs, technical reports, drawings, specifications, calculations, and contractor submissions.

• Review airfield lighting systems including:

  • Runway edge lighting.
  • Runway centerline lighting.
  • Threshold and runway end lighting.
  • Taxiway centerline and edge lighting.
  • Apron lighting systems.
  • Approach lighting systems.
  • Stop bars and runway guard lights.
  • Precision approach path indicators (PAPI).

• Verify compliance with ICAO Annex 14, FAA Advisory Circulars, client requirements, and airport operational standards.

• Review photometric calculations, lighting layouts, cable routing, and system performance requirements.

• Support value engineering initiatives to improve reliability, maintainability, and lifecycle performance.

• Review AGL electrical infrastructure including:

  • Constant Current Regulators (CCR).
  • Airfield lighting control systems (ALCS).
  • Primary and secondary cabling networks.
  • Isolation transformers.
  • Airfield lighting vaults and equipment rooms.
  • Grounding and lightning protection systems.

• Assess power supply redundancy and reliability requirements for critical airfield operations.

• Coordinate AGL systems with electrical power distribution, civil works, pavement, drainage, and communication systems.

• Ensure proper integration between AGL systems and airport operational facilities.

• Coordinate AGL requirements for:

  • Runways.
  • Taxiways.
  • Rapid exit taxiways.
  • Cargo aprons.
  • Aircraft stands.
  • Maintenance and operational areas.

• Review interfaces between AGL systems and pavement construction activities.

• Ensure correct installation requirements for in-pavement lights, ducts, pits, chambers, and cable routes.

• Support phased implementation strategies to maintain airport operational continuity.

• Provide technical support during AGL installation, testing, commissioning, and operational readiness activities.

• Review contractor shop drawings, material submittals, method statements, RFIs, and technical queries.

• Conduct site inspections to verify compliance with approved designs, specifications, and aviation requirements.

• Monitor installation quality of:

  • Lighting fixtures.
  • Cabling systems.
  • CCR equipment.
  • Control systems.
  • Field components.

• Support resolution of technical issues affecting project delivery.

• Review and witness AGL testing and commissioning activities.

• Verify system performance including:

  • Insulation resistance testing.
  • Cable testing.
  • Circuit testing.
  • Lighting intensity verification.
  • Control system functionality testing.

• Support integrated testing with airport operational systems.

• Review commissioning records, test certificates, and handover documentation.

• Ensure systems achieve operational readiness prior to airport opening.

• Coordinate with the Client, airport operator, air traffic control authorities, consultants, contractors, and aviation regulators.

• Support technical approvals and regulatory submissions.

• Participate in AGL technical workshops, design reviews, and operational readiness meetings.

• Coordinate with airfield operations teams to ensure safe implementation of AGL systems.

• Ensure all AGL works comply with project specifications, quality standards, and aviation regulations.

• Participate in technical audits, inspections, and compliance reviews.

• Monitor contractor adherence to approved installation procedures and quality plans.

• Review material approvals, inspection reports, and quality records.

• Support implementation of corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Prepare and review AGL engineering reports, technical assessments, design review comments, and recommendations.

• Maintain records of AGL design reviews, approvals, technical decisions, and site observations.

• Provide regular updates to Project Management regarding progress, risks, and technical challenges.

• Support preparation of operation manuals, asset registers, and airport handover documentation.

What Required Skills You'll Bring:

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Aviation Engineering, or related discipline.

• Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering or Airport Systems Engineering is considered an advantage.

• Minimum 10 years of experience in Airfield Ground Lighting engineering, design review, installation, and commissioning.

• Proven experience on major international airport, airfield, or aviation infrastructure projects.

• Extensive experience with:

  • Runway and taxiway lighting systems.
  • Approach lighting systems.
  • Apron lighting infrastructure.
  • AGL control systems.
  • Airfield electrical networks.

• Experience supporting design review, construction supervision, testing, commissioning, and airport operational readiness.

• Experience coordinating with airport authorities, contractors, consultants, and specialist AGL suppliers.

• Strong knowledge of airfield lighting design principles and operational requirements.

• Detailed understanding of:

  • ICAO Annex 14 Volume I.
  • FAA AC 150/5340 series.
  • FAA AC 150/5345 series.
  • IEC electrical standards.
  • Airport operational safety requirements.

• Experience with AGL design software, lighting calculations, and technical analysis tools.

• Knowledge of airfield lighting control systems and monitoring platforms.

• Familiarity with BIM coordination and multidisciplinary engineering workflows.

• Strong technical review, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Ability to manage complex airfield systems within a high-performance airport environment.

What Desired Skills You'll Bring:

• Professional Engineer (PE), Chartered Engineer (CEng), or equivalent professional registration.

• Experience on major international airport expansion or greenfield airport development projects.

• Knowledge of ICAO, FAA, EASA, and international aviation lighting requirements.

• Experience with CAT I, CAT II, and CAT III precision approach lighting systems.

• Experience with Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control Systems (A-SMGCS) interfaces.

• Experience working under FIDIC or similar international contract frameworks.

• Experience supporting Design-Build, EPC, PMC, or Delivery Partner project delivery models.

• Strong stakeholder coordination with airport operators, ATC authorities, and aviation regulators.

Parsons equally employs representation at all job levels no matter the race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information.

We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY!

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