Airport Planning Lead

Aviation Planning Lead

Michael Baker International knows the business of airports – from the smallest general aviation facilities to the busiest international airports in the world. For more than 75 years, we have provided planning, design, and construction services to airports worldwide, serving as an on-call "extension of staff" to many of our aviation clients. Michael Baker's award-winning personnel have a reputation for taking their understanding of the local airport community/environment and incorporating related elements into their designs and plans. Knowing that airports are a key economic driver and source of pride for the geographic areas they serve, we proudly perform as partners in more than facilities and other infrastructure. We partner in success.

We are hiring an Aviation Planning Lead to support our Aviation team. The Airport Planning Lead will spearhead long-term infrastructure planning, strategic asset utilization, and competitive market growth. This high-impact role requires a seasoned aviation planner and project manager to bridge the gap between complex technical airport planning and aggressive business development. The ideal candidate will leverage over a decade of industry relationships to manage and secure strategic pursuits, identify emerging market segments, and oversee complex master planning initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning: Leads the development of Airport Master Plans, Airport Layout Plans, regional transportation plans, specialized studies, and capital improvement programs (CIP).
• Regulatory Compliance: 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.
• Technical Analysis: Conducts complex data analysis for aviation forecasting, facility requirements, capacity, development alternatives, land use and airspace.
• Project Leadership: Oversees general on-call contracts and manages individual project budgets, schedules, and deliverables, often serving as Project Manager.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitates public hearings and coordinates with airport stakeholders and community groups.

Strategic Planning & Project Delivery

• Lead the development of comprehensive airport master plans, facility layout revisions, and land-use compatibility studies.
• Direct capacity, airfield, and terminal infrastructure simulation modeling to support multi-year development horizons.
• Ensure all technical deliverables and master plans align with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Advisory Circulars, ICAO/IATA standards, state and local requirements.
• Formulate and manage multi-million dollar capital improvement project budgets and economic feasibility analyses.

Business Development & Revenue Growth

• Drive organizational expansion by identifying new geographic markets and supporting aviation planning contracts where Michael Baker currently has relationships.
• Formulate pursuit strategies, lead capture planning, and direct the composition of winning technical proposals and contract interviews.
• Manage and deepen relationships with top-tier partnering firms, FAA, state DOTs, and airport owners.
• Represent the firm at national aviation conferences and stakeholder events to build lead pipelines.

Leadership & Team Management

• Mentor, train, and develop junior and mid-level planning consultants and business analysts.
• Act as the primary technical and commercial liaison between the company and aviation clients

Job 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 We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:

• 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