Senior Aviation AAM Planner

Lochner, an Egis company, is looking for a Transportation Construction Inspector to join our growing team in Pittsburgh, PA. Lochner joined Egis, a global infrastructure consulting, engineering, and operations firm, expanding our capabilities while preserving the values and culture that define who we are. As a people-centric company, Lochner’s purpose is to empower our team to put their knowledge to work, enhancing communities across the US.

About the Role

The Senior Aviation / AAM Planner serves as a technical and strategic leader for both traditional airport planning and emerging aviation initiatives. This individual leads complex aviation planning projects while supporting the firm's Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) planning initiatives, helping airports, public agencies, and private-sector partners prepare for the integration of eVTOL aircraft, vertiports, autonomous systems, and other next-generation aviation technologies.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction, technical leadership, and subject matter expertise for AAM.
• Support the planning and integration of AAM infrastructure, including vertiport feasibility studies, airport compatibility assessments, infrastructure planning, airspace considerations, and implementation strategies.
• Monitor emerging AAM technologies, FAA guidance, regulator developments, and industry trends, translating new information into actionable planning strategies for clients and internal teams.
• Represent the firm at industry conferences, technical committees, and client workshops while serving as a recognized thought leader in AAM planning.
• Develop airport master plans, facility planning and programming, management of capital improvement programs, and revisions to airport layout plans and environmental documents to support airport system development.
• Participate in preparation of Statement of Qualifications (SOQs), interviews, and building the planning practice.
• Plan and direct the work of subconsultants; establish project schedules; assist with cost estimates; and submit progress and summary reports.
• Review and evaluate the work performed by planners; and monitor adherence to program requirements and the Airport Master Plan.
• Plan, supervise, coordinate, and review the work of a small unit engaged in professional airport and related facility planning and analysis; evaluate comprehensive studies for orderly airport development, construction, and environment enhancement.
• Respond to telephone and written inquiries from, and interact with airport tenants, local, state and federal agencies, private and public officials, and community interest representatives on airport planning and design issues, activities, projects, studies, and related matters.
• Supervise or personally perform the management of all facility spatial data including: as-built project drawings, airport layout plans, signage and marking plans, utility data, and planning studies.
• Assist with project review of NEPA related documents reviewing potential environmental affects and ensuring sufficient information and analyses have been submitted.
• Analyze airport sites and facilities on planning for future needs and how to accommodate future airport growth.
• Develop airport documents using expert knowledge of airport design and construction, including associated federal regulations of FAA policy related to airport planning capacity issues, airport grant compliance, environmental activities and wildlife hazard management at airports.
• Conduct studies relating to airport access, runways, terminal design, surrounding land uses and environmental factors.
• Prepare comprehensive reports and presentations on airport planning issues.
• Prepare planning exhibits, analyzing airspace surfaces and obstructions for impacts, and airport layout plans using AutoCAD, GIS, and other programs.
• Develop and maintain relationships with existing and future clients.
• Collaborate with business development team to support project capture planning activities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in aviation management or similar program.
• 10 plus years of experience with airport planning projects.
• Experience providing AAM planning services.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with NEPA regulations and guidelines.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Project Management experience.
• Demonstrated business and client development experience.
• Deltek Vision Project Management Software experience is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive premiums for Medical, Dental, and Vision.
• Paid Time Off and Flexible Holiday Program.
• Company Paid Disability (includes paid Maternity Leave), and Life Insurance.
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) with Employer Contribution.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Medical Expenses and/or Dependent Care.
• Paid Family Leave.
• Retirement Plan with Employer Match.
• Flexible Work Schedules (Hybrid or Remote, when possible).
• Wellness Program for Physical and Mental Health.
• Lochner Cares Non-Profit 501c3.
• Education and Training Assistance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Employee Discounts.
• Paid Time Off for Charitable Acts of Service.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Intermittent sitting, walking, standing, bending, squatting, climbing, kneeling, twisting, stoop, crawl, and lifting.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move light equipment up to 20 pounds.
• Must be alert to equipment in the field, occasional need to work near hazardous equipment and machinery.
• Occasional need to walk on uneven ground.
• Exposure to dust, gas or fumes, exposure to noise, extremes in temperature or humidity, and potential work at heights.