Airport Planning Lead

AVIATION PRACTICE

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.

JOB DESCRIPTION

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: 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

#LI-HYBRID #LI-KR1

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. Michael Baker International is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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. *There is no current application deadline. Michael Baker will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis until the position is filled or no longer needed.