Airport Planning Lead

Key Responsibilities

• Spearheads the development of Airport Master Plans, Airport Layout Plans, regional transportation plans, specialized studies, and capital improvement programs (CIP).
• Applies expert knowledge of FAA Advisory Circulars (Acs) and federal/state aviation regulations to ensure planning and conceptual designs for airfields and vertiports meet safety and land-use standards.
• Conducts complex data analysis for aviation forecasting, facility requirements, capacity, development alternatives, land use and airspace.
• Oversees general on-call contracts and manages individual project budgets, schedules, and deliverables, often serving as Project Manager.
• Facilitates public hearings and coordinates with airport stakeholders and community groups.

Technical Analysis

• Direct capacity, airfield, and terminal infrastructure simulation modeling to support multi-year development horizons.
• Ensures all technical deliverables and master plans align with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Advisory Circulars, ICAO/IATA standards, state and local requirements.
• Formulates and manages multi-million dollar capital improvement project budgets and economic feasibility analyses.

Strategic Planning & Project Delivery

• Leads the development of comprehensive airport master plans, facility layout revisions, and land-use compatibility studies.
• Oversees multi-year development horizons through capacity, airfield, and terminal infrastructure simulation modeling.

Business Development & Revenue Growth

• Identifies new geographic markets and supports aviation planning contracts where Michael Baker currently has relationships.
• Formulates pursuit strategies, leads capture planning, and directs the composition of winning technical proposals and contract interviews.
• Manages and deepens relationships with top-tier partnering firms, FAA, state DOTs, and airport owners.
• Represents the firm at national aviation conferences and stakeholder events to build lead pipelines.

Leadership & Team Management

• Mentors, trains, and develops junior and mid-level planning consultants and business analysts.
• Acts as the primary technical and commercial liaison between the company and aviation clients.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Aviation Management, or a related field.
• Experience: Requires 10+ years of post-graduate experience that includes Airport Master Plans, Airport Capital Improvement Planning, Project Management, and Airport Layout Plans.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in industry-standard software like AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and AviPLAN, plus and GIS/ArcView are preferred.
• Certifications: CM – AAAE and/or AICP certification preferred, but not required.
• Ability to resolve sophisticated client challenges by applying a nuanced, context-aware approach to conflict resolution.
• Demonstrates excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Compensation

The approximate compensation range for this position is $160,000 to $200,000. This compensation range is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation is dependent upon factors such as education, qualifications, experience, skillset, and physical work location.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision insurance
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Life, AD&D, short-term, and long-term disability
• Professional and personal development
• Generous paid time off
• Commuter and wellness benefits

About Us

Michael Baker International, a leading provider of engineering and consulting services, including design, planning, architectural, environmental, construction and program management, has been solving some of the world’s most complex infrastructure challenges for more than 85 years with a legacy of expertise, experience, innovation and integrity. Based in Pittsburgh and with over 100 offices nationwide, we partner with clients on everything from roads, bridges, tunnels, mass transit, and airports, to water treatment plants, arctic oil pipelines, environmental restoration and specialized overseas construction. We serve as a trusted adviser to the communities we serve, making them safer, more accessible, more sustainable and more prosperous. We provide visionary leadership in facilitating transformational change for our clients. Our work delivers differentiating innovations and dedicated experts who challenge the status quo and share a world of diverse experience and an impassioned entrepreneurial spirit. We deliver quality of life. We Make a Difference.

EEO Statement

Michael Baker International provides equal employment opportunity for all persons, in all facets of employment. Michael Baker International maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for any open position for which they feel they are qualified and all will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, familial status, pregnancy or childbirth, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, or membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or any other legally protected status. EEO is the Law. Applicants to and employees of Michael Baker International are protected under Federal law from discrimination. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.