From engineer to project leader: Serafina on aviation, mentorship, and growth in Florida

Serafina, an Aviation Engineer and Project Manager based in Tampa, on following her passion into project management, the airports she's helping shape across Florida, and why she loves bringing others up with her.

Serafina is an Aviation Engineer and Project Manager in the Tampa office, where she supports commercial service and general aviation airport projects across Florida. "No two days are the same, which is one of the things I enjoy most," she says.

Her work runs from planning and design through construction, working alongside multidisciplinary teams and airport clients to help them reach their long-term goals. For several airports with smaller in-house teams, she acts as an extension of their staff, providing project management and technical support. And wherever she can, she makes time to bring younger engineers along with her. "I enjoy mentoring younger engineers, sharing what I've learned, and helping them build confidence as they develop their careers."

Following her passion into project management

Serafina joined AtkinsRéalis as an engineer, but soon found her path shifting toward something she loved even more. "My career moved from being just an engineer to following my passion for project management, in an industry I love: aviation," she says.

Her supervisor backed her from the start. "He let me shadow him and get exposure to all facets of project management," she says. She learned to develop scope and fees, built up her financial management skills, and has since managed more than 12 projects with the aviation team. Along the way she earned her PMP, and stepped up again. "My career has evolved to the point where I now supervise an amazing and talented team."
 

The work: shaping airports across Florida

Right now, Serafina is helping deliver projects that matter to the communities they serve. Chief among them is the Pensacola Terminal Expansion program, a new terminal with five gates and associated airside and landside work. "It's going to be pivotal to the city's growth and to positive passenger experiences," she says.

She's also managing on-call work at Treasure Coast International Airport, from airfield marking improvements to an instrument landing system replacement and planning services, and leading a taxiway rehabilitation at Sebring Regional Airport.
 
For Serafina, the value of the work is in what it does for people. "The projects I manage help airports operate more safely and efficiently while supporting the communities that rely on them every day," she says. "It's rewarding to know the work I do contributes to safer travel, stronger local economies, and airports that can keep serving their communities for years to come."

Looking ahead

Ask what excites her most, and it comes back to growth, both hers and her team's. "I'm most excited to grow as a leader while taking on more complex and impactful projects," she says. "I want to build strong client relationships, mentor others, and help develop our team."

Looking back on how far she's come, she's clear about what's made the difference. "I've been trusted with increasing responsibility, meaningful airport projects, and the chance to build strong relationships with clients and teammates," she says. "Every project brings a new challenge, which keeps the work interesting. I'm proud of how much I've grown as both an engineer and a project manager, and excited to keep contributing to work that makes a lasting impact."

We're growing our Aviation team across the US.