Aeronautics Administrator (Administrator X)

The Aeronautics Division is responsible for aviation and airport safety and security, airport development and capital improvements, airport facility and infrastructure design and construction, aircraft accident investigations, maintenance of state-owned navigational aids, and statewide aviation system planning. The Division certifies airports, heliports, and the next generation advanced air mobility vertiport facilities, licenses airport managers, conducts annual airport inspections, leads crewed and uncrewed air operations, and exercises law enforcement powers.

The Aeronautics Division's mission is to promote aviation throughout Massachusetts by establishing an efficient, integrated airport system that prioritizes safety, customer service, economic development, environmental stewardship, and the adoption of next-generation aviation technologies.

Position Summary

The Aeronautics Administrator is a senior leader reporting to the Secretary of Transportation or their designee. This role entails managing an annual division budget of $2 million for FY 2025, directly overseeing the operating budget. Additionally, the Administrator indirectly manages an annual capital budget ranging from $13 million to $25 million in state funding, along with FAA flow-through funding between $35 million and $60 million. The role includes strategic allocation and oversight of these funds, ensuring efficient and effective use of resources to meet organizational goals and regulatory requirements.

The Aeronautics Administrator provides aviation leadership and management across the Aeronautics Division, MassDOT, the MBTA, and Commonwealth, supporting the Division's mission and statewide aviation initiatives. The Administrator offers strategic, financial, and operational leadership, closely coordinating with the MassDOT senior leadership team, the Board of Directors, MBTA leadership, and the Secretary of Transportation.

Leading a complex, growing, and often matrixed team, the Administrator oversees personnel across Core Team departments, including Finance & Administration, Planning and Environmental, Engineering, Aviation Operations & Compliance, Operations, the Office Lead, and the Deputy Administrator. As a board member and advisor, the Aeronautics Administrator also oversees a non-profit agenda at MassAutonomy and supports the development and staffing plan for the new MassDOT Aeronautics Higher Ed aviation partner.

The Aeronautics Administrator leads a diverse and dynamic team, including the Deputy Administrator for Administration; the Director of Administration and Finance, overseeing finance with two additional staff; the Director of Aviation Planning, managing planning and environmental efforts with three team members; the Director of Airport Engineering, supervising airport engineering with two staff; the Director of Aviation Operations & Compliance, responsible for pilot duties, airport inspections, and aircraft; the Director of UAS and Advanced Aviation Programs, overseeing the drone program; the Director of UAS Data, providing data analytics support for the drone program (Director in-progress); the Director of Operations & Special Projects, handling operations and special projects (Director, Contractor); and the Program Coordinator II, serving as the office coordinator. Additionally, the Drone Program includes approximately 20 contractors, supported by a Sr Program Manager for drone operations and a Sr Program Manager & Chief Scientist for Commonwealth UAS Integration Program.

The Administrator serves on the MassDOT Senior Leadership Team, advising statewide aeronautical issues and supporting military and homeland security coordination. They lead a complex team of direct and partner personnel across departments, oversee strategic partnerships with federal agencies and research institutions, and drive policy, planning, and project execution statewide, including those for the 35 public-use general aviation airports under the authority of the Aeronautics Division. The Administrator role includes advancing airspace safety and security, shaping multimodal mobility planning, and ensuring regulatory compliance and effective capital project delivery. Other essential functions include:

Core Aviation Program Management

The Aeronautics Administrator leads statewide aeronautical policies and programs, including overseeing aviation projects such as the Airport System Plan, Runway and Taxiway Markings, and Security Initiatives; and manages technical programs like Pavement Management and NAVAIDs. Additionally, the role leads MEMA's Air Operations Group for emergency air operations and disaster relief, ensuring effective coordination and data security. The Administrator oversees and administrators the five-year MassDOT-funded Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), to include approving FAA Airport Capital Improvement Plans and ensuring compliance with FAA regulations.

Drone Program Management

The Administrator leads Massachusetts' statewide uncrewed and autonomous air systems programs, leveraging innovative technologies to enhance safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Through the Commonwealth UAS Integration Program (CUIP), they manage initiatives in beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations, counter-drone systems, advanced air mobility like small package delivery drones and electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOLs), and FAA-designated UAS test ranges. They coordinate with key federal partners, oversee data management challenges, and position Massachusetts as a national leader in drone innovation and policy.

Research Champion and Chief Investigator

The Aeronautics Administrator leads applied research efforts that address real-time transportation challenges, emphasizing near-term, deployable solutions. They collaborate across MassDOT divisions, partner agencies, and external organizations to secure resources and execute projects that improve transportation systems and safety statewide.

Communications

The Aeronautics Administrator is the primary voice for aviation safety and education, regularly briefing leadership, stakeholders, and the public. This position responds to legislative, public, and agency inquiries, manages communications around grant compliance, and provides critical outreach and policy guidance. This includes drafting written responses or preparation of presentations for the Secretary of Transportation and consulting closely with the FAA and other federal partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge and deep expertise in at least one professional aviation area such as: pilot operations, airport operations, aviation planning, air traffic control, airport engineering, military air and counter-air systems, etc. Knowledge and deep expertise in at least two of the previous areas is highly desired.
• Knowledge of business, business systems and processes is a must.
• Knowledge of aerodynamics, aviation control systems, radar, communications, and detect-track-identify sensors
• Skilled in systems thinking
• Skilled at decision making and selection among technical system options, and integrated system-of-systems solutions
• Skilled at leading matrixed teams
• Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite, especially WORD, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Proficient at written and verbal communication
• Some negotiation skills, with the ability to understand the specific principles and motivation for both sides
• Ability to learn new concepts, and to identify opportunities and address challenges

Pre-Hire Process

A finalist for this position must be able to pass a comprehensive background check including a criminal record check, Department of Revenue (DOR) check, and employment references.

About MassDOT

The 4,000+ employees of Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) take great pride in connecting the Commonwealth's residents and communities. MassDOT is responsible for developing, implementing, and coordinating transportation policies and projects for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and to efficiently plan, design, construct, and maintain a safe statewide transportation system which effectively meets the transportation needs of the Commonwealth. Information about MassDOT's culture and career opportunities can be found at mass.gov/massdot-careers.

MassDOT's divisions include Highway, Registry of Motor Vehicles, Aeronautics, and Rail & Transit. Headquarters (Planning & Enterprise Services) provides business and administrative support and policy leadership for each of the four (4) divisions.

Qualifications

This requisition will remain open until filled; however, first consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Current MassDOT employees should use their internal MassCareers account to apply.

All job applications must be submitted online through MassCareers to be considered.

Please provide a complete, accurate and current resume / application for MassDOT to review in order to determine if your submitted materials meet the minimum entrance requirements for the position.

Applicants must have at least (A) seven (7) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least four (4) years must have been in a managerial capacity.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

• For questions regarding the job posting, please email the MassDOT Talent Acquisition Team at talentacquisition@dot.state.ma.us.
• For general questions regarding MassDOT, call the Human Resources Service Center at 857-368-4722.
• For disability-related reasonable accommodation or alternative application method, call ADA Coordinator, Lucy Bayard, at 857-274-1935.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.