Senior Aviation Planner

VHB; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Total Rewards program

Competitive benefits

Job summary

VHB is seeking a Senior Aviation Environmental Planner to join the Environmental team in the New England region, ideally based in Watertown or Boston, MA. The role focuses on managing complex airport projects and leading teams with technical expertise in aviation environmental planning.

The candidate will work on MEPA/NEPA filings, ALPs, airport electrification, sustainability, and climate resilience, collaborating across offices and with regulatory agencies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Planning, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, or related field; Master’s preferred.
• 8+ years in aviation planning and environmental projects with leadership roles.
• Experience with FAA, Massport, and regulatory agencies preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex airport and aviation planning studies.
• Prepare environmental filings (MEPA/NEPA) and master planning documents.
• Lead and mentor project team members and ensure quality control.

Skills

Project management

FAA regulations

Environmental planning

Stakeholder communication

Team leadership

Aviation industry knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Planning/Environmental Sciences/Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

ALPs

Job description

Senior Aviation Planner

Job Locations

US-MA-Watertown | US-MA-Boston

ID

2026-6053

Category

Planning

Type

Regular Full-Time

Career Stage Type

Experienced

# of Openings

1

Overview

ABOUT THE POSITION

VHB is seeking a Senior Aviation Environmental Planner with proven experience in airport projects to join our Environmental team!

We are looking for a dynamic, collaborative, and innovative Senior Aviation Environmental Planner to support projects across the New England region. This role will ideally be based in our Watertown or Boston, MA office.

If you are an experienced project manager with technical expertise to lead teams and provide strategic guidance, this is an exciting opportunity to take your career in Aviation and Environmental Planning to the next level. Work on challenging, high-impact projects that will expand your professional growth while making a tangible impact in the aviation industry.

Responsibilities

• Project management for complex airport and aviation planning studies
• Research, analysis, and creation of airport environmental and planning documents including, but not limited to:
  • MEPA and NEPA environmental filings
  • Airport master planning and airport layout plans (ALPs)
  • Airport electrification
  • Sustainability, resiliency, and climate change
  • Technical review of analysis of environmental conditions (noise, air quality, stormwater, remediation, etc.)
  • Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and eVTOL
• Support maritime operations and planning initiatives
• Assist the Corporate Transportation Market Leader and Regional Managers with business development efforts, including proposal writing, client presentations, and identifying strategic opportunities
• Maintain and grow current client relationships
• Perform project reviews and quality control audits for deliverables
• Supervise and mentor team members

Skills & Knowledge

• Ability to manage scope, schedule, and budget across multiple complex airport contracts
• Ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams and integrate VHB service lines to deliver comprehensive solutions
• Deep familiarity with FAA regulations, advisory circulars, and grant compliance
• Technical proficiency in environmental impact assessments, including noise, air quality, stormwater, and remediation
• Knowledge of airport electrification, sustainability, climate resilience, and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)/eVTOL
• Familiarity with maritime operations planning and waterfront facility integration a plus
• Effective communication skills with the ability to engage diverse audiences and collaborate across VHB's New England offices
• Active participation in aviation industry organizations as a thought leader
• Aviation-related certifications (AICP, ENV SP, PMP) strongly\preferred

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Planning, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, or related field from an accredited college or university; Master's degree preferred
• 8+ years of progressive experience in aviation planning and environmental projects, with at least five years in project management leadership roles
• Experience working with FAA, Massport, and other federal/state/local regulatory agencies preferred
• Supervisory and mentoring experience preferred

The full-time annual base salary range for this position is $110,000 to $160,000 if located in Massachusetts. The base salary offered will be determined based on job-related factors, including geographic location, internal equity, experience, credentials, skills, education, work schedule, and other factors permitted by law. The posted salary range reflects base pay only. Additional compensation and benefits available to eligible employees are outlined in our Total Rewards Program.

Annual base salary is one component of VHB's Total Rewards package. In addition to base pay, eligible employees may receive annual incentive compensation bonuses, spot bonuses, and merit-based salary increases, providing opportunities to increase earnings beyond base pay. VHB also offers a differentiating work experience, including a comprehensive benefits package that includes eligibility to participate in the VHB 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, wellness programs, tuition reimbursement, and recognition programs.

Details on VHB's benefits package can be found here: Benefits Checklist

Building what's next, together.

Our people make the difference. We foster a technology-empowered, peopledriven, futureready culture where agility, innovation, and collaboration shape how we work every day.

When you join VHB, you'll find:

• Meaningful work on complex projects with real community impact
• A collaborative, inclusive culture that values curiosity and shared success
• Support to grow your skills and lead through change
• Learning and development supported by evolving tools and technologies, including AI
• Best-in-class benefits and a flexible, hybrid work environment

We're growing across the East Coast and are consistently recognized as a great place to work. Ready to shape what's next? Learn more about what sets our employee experience apart and connect with us.

VHB is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Since our founding, we have intentionally fostered a culture of inclusion and belonging, supported by deep-rooted core values, one of which is diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.