Principal Aviation Planner

Applied Research Associates, Inc.; Southlake (TX); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Employee‑owned company

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is seeking principal aviation planners to drive airport master planning across the U.S., including airside, landside, and terminal facilities. You will lead analyses, update ALPs, and coordinate with cross‑functional teams to develop integrated solutions.

The role requires 12+ years in aviation planning, strong FAA/ICAO knowledge, and ability to travel 10–20% while maintaining a hybrid work pattern with regular office presence in one of the U.S. offices.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of increasingly complex experience in airport master planning, airport regional planning, or aviation capacity planning.
• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, Planning, or Civil Engineering; master’s degree preferred.
• Strong understanding of FAA/ICAO standards, airport operations, and airspace fundamentals.
• Proficiency in planning software tools (GIS, AutoCAD, AviPlan, simulation platforms).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop comprehensive airport master plans including airside, landside, terminal, cargo, and support facilities.
• Conduct capacity analyses, demand forecasting, and operational assessments for long‑range planning.
• Prepare and update Airport Layout Plans (ALPs) and ensure FAA/ICAO compliance.
• Coordinate with engineering, environmental, commercial, and operations teams for integrated planning.
• Analyze airspace constraints, runway/taxiway configurations, and aircraft performance data.
• Support capital improvement planning with phasing strategies and cost estimates.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement with airport leadership, airlines, and agencies.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and planning documents.
• Support R&D of planning criteria for new aviation technologies like AAM and UAS.

Skills

Aviation master planning

Capacity analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory knowledge

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, Planning, or Civil Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

GIS

AutoCAD

AviPlan

Simulation software

Job description

Description

ARA is seeking principal-level planners with significant aviation infrastructure experience to join our Transportation Division Aviation Directorate. This position provides an opportunity to work on aviation, airport, uncrewed systems, and advanced air mobility planning projects with regulatory agencies and airports throughout the United States. The successful candidate will grow an aviation planning practice focused on integration of new aviation technologies into FAA guidance and airport master plans.

We are looking for a motivated planner who thinks strategically to apply technical understanding of airport systems to solve complex problems by optimizing capacity, safety, efficiency, and sustainability. ARA employee-owners are actively involved in all aspects of research and consulting, applying technical knowledge, professional judgement, and innovation to develop high-quality solutions for our clients.

Positions are available in Egg Harbor Township, NJ; Madison, WI; and the Dallas-Forth Worth area (Southlake, TX). This is a hybrid position requiring attendance in the assigned ARA office a minimum of 3 days per week, in addition to project-related travel.

This position requires travel to project sites and may include on-site work at client offices. Candidates must meet eligibility requirements for badging and site access. Nationwide travel is anticipated approximately 10% to 20% of the time, depending on project needs, season, and workload.

Principal aviation planners are expected to:

• Interact with clients and potential clients to capture new business through technical work and capability briefings.


• Lead and develop comprehensive airport master plans, including airside, landside, terminal, cargo, and support facilities.


• Conduct capacity analyses, demand forecasting, and operational assessments to inform long‑range planning decisions.


• Prepare and update Airport Layout Plans (ALPs) and ensure compliance with FAA, ICAO, and other regulatory requirements.


• Coordinate with engineering, environmental, commercial, and operations teams to develop integrated planning solutions.


• Analyze airspace constraints, runway/taxiway configurations, and aircraft performance data to recommend improvements.


• Support capital improvement planning by developing phasing strategies, cost estimates, and actionable development programs.


• Facilitate stakeholder engagement, including airport leadership, airlines, community groups, and government agencies.


• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and planning.


• Support research and development of planning criteria related to new aviation technologies including advanced air mobility and uncrewed systems.

Principal aviation planner requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, Planning, or Civil Engineering; master’s degree preferred. Degree program must be accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB).


• 12+ years of increasingly complex experience in airport master planning, airport regional planning, or aviation capacity planning. A combination of two or more of these specialties is preferred.


• Strong understanding of FAA/ICAO standards, airport operations, and airspace fundamentals.


• Proficiency in planning software tools (e.g., GIS, AutoCAD, AviPlan, simulation platforms).


• Strong written and verbal communication skills in the English language.


• Strong presentation skills and ability to convey technical concepts to non‑technical audiences.


• Ability to manage complex projects and multidisciplinary teams.


• Ability and willingness to travel to work at project sites.


• Candidates selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

The anticipated salary range for this position is $140,000 to $180,000 per year, depending on education, experience, and location. ARA also offers competitive benefits that address our employees’ needs now and in the future. Learn more about each of our benefits at https://www.ara.com/benefits/ .

About ARA:

ARA is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs more than 2,200 professionals and continues to grow. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in civil technologies, computer software and simulation, defense technologies, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for pavement analysis, environmental site characterization, and robotics.

At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership spawns greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the ESOP. The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.