Principal Project Manager - Aviation Planning

AtkinsRéalis; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 141,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis is seeking a Principal Project Manager - Aviation Planning in North Carolina. You will lead major airport planning programs, manage scope and budget, and build trusted relationships with airport executives, airlines, and agencies.

Strong aviation planning knowledge and leadership are essential. You will guide multidisciplinary teams on Airport Master Plans, ALPs, demand forecasts, and landside planning, while driving business growth and strategic client engagement.

Qualifications

• Requires 15+ years of progressive airport planning and consulting experience.
• Proven leadership of complex aviation planning projects and client management.
• Strong client development, capture planning, proposals, and negotiation experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead major airport planning projects and programs, serving as primary client and leadership contact.
• Manage scope, schedule, budget, staffing, quality, risk, and contractual requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Client relationships

Business development

Aviation planning

VISSIM modelling

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

VISSIM modelling

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a Principal Project Manager - Aviation Planning to join our team in North Carolina. This senior leadership position is responsible for leading major airport planning programs and client accounts, with accountability for project delivery, client relationships, team leadership, and business growth. The role combines aviation planning expertise with project and program management, business development, and strategic client engagement, while remaining actively involved in complex planning assignments.

Your role

• Lead and direct major airport planning projects and programs for commercial service, reliever, and general aviation airports, serving as the primary client and project leadership contact.
• Manage project scope, schedule, budget, staffing, quality, risk, and contractual requirements, with accountability for successful project delivery and client satisfaction.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with airport executives, staff, airlines, government agencies, and other key stakeholders; identify client needs and translate them into actionable planning and consulting assignments.
• Lead business development activities for aviation planning, including client account development, opportunity identification, capture planning, go/no-go input, teaming strategy, proposal development, interviews, and fee negotiations.
• Support strategic growth of the aviation planning practice by expanding existing client relationships, developing new clients, and coordinating cross-selling opportunities with other aviation and transportation disciplines.
• Provide senior leadership and technical direction for Airport Master Plans, Airport Layout Plans (ALPs), terminal area studies, aviation demand forecasts, feasibility studies, and related airport development planning.
• Lead landside planning assignments involving airport roadway systems, terminal frontage and curbside operations, parking demand and capacity, rental car facilities, ground transportation, airport access, and circulation.
• Oversee and provide technical direction for traffic analyses and VISSIM traffic simulation modelling supporting airport access, curbside, roadway, and landside planning decisions.
• Direct multidisciplinary project teams and coordinate work across planning, engineering, architecture, environmental, traffic, and other specialty disciplines as required by the assignment.
• Provide project leadership, mentorship, and technical guidance to aviation planning staff, including workload coordination, quality review, and development of emerging project managers and technical leaders.
• Evaluate airport operational, infrastructure, and development needs using applicable FAA guidance and industry best practices, and develop implementable recommendations that balance safety, operational efficiency, customer experience, cost, and long-term airport growth.
• Represent the aviation planning practice in client meetings, industry events, conferences, and professional organizations to strengthen market presence and develop business relationships.

About You

• Bachelor's degree in Airport Planning, Aviation Management, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, Transportation Planning, or a related field required. Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive airport planning and consulting experience, including leadership of complex assignments for commercial service, reliever, and general aviation airports.
• Demonstrated success serving as a project manager, program manager, project director, or principal-in-charge for complex aviation planning projects, with responsibility for scope, schedule, budget, staffing, quality, risk, and client relationships.
• Established client relationship and business development skills, including experience identifying opportunities, developing capture strategies, leading proposals and interviews, and supporting fee and contract negotiations.
• Demonstrated experience preparing and managing Airport Master Plans, Airport Layout Plans (ALPs), aviation demand forecasts, terminal area studies, feasibility studies, and related airport planning assignments.
• Strong knowledge of FAA regulations, Advisory Circulars, airport design standards, and industry best practices related to airport planning and development.
• Experience leading landside planning analyses, including airport access and circulation, roadway systems, terminal frontage operations, parking demand assessments, rental car facility planning, and ground transportation planning.
• Experience directing or performing VISSIM traffic simulation modelling and using traffic analysis results to support airport planning and investment decisions.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary consultant teams, mentor staff, manage competing priorities, and make sound project and business decisions in a high-paced consulting environment.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with airport executives, technical staff, agencies, and project partners.

Rewards & benefits

At AtkinsRéalis, our values - Safety, Integrity, Collaboration, Innovation, and Excellence are more than just words. They are the foundation of who we are and how we work. These principles shape our culture, guide our decisions, and inspire us to create an environment where every team member feels empowered to grow, succeed, and make a meaningful impact.

Depending on your employment status, AtkinsRéalis benefits may include medical, dental, vision, company-paid life and short and long-term disability benefits, employer-matched 401(k) with 100% vesting, employee stock purchase plan, Paid Time Off, leaves of absences options, flexible work options, recognition and employee satisfaction programs, employee assistance program, and voluntary benefits.

You can review our comprehensive benefits page here.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

Expected compensation range is between $141,000 - $220,000 annually hourly depending on skills, experience, and geographical location.

AtkinsRéalis is an equal opportunity, Drug-Free employer EOE/Veteran/Disability

Please review AtkinsRéalis' Equal Opportunity Statement here.

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