Aviation Planner - Team Lead

Ardurra is seeking an Aviation Planner - Team Lead to join our Aviation Group!

At Ardurra, we’re more than an engineering and consulting firm—we’re a team dedicated to shaping the future through smart solutions and strong partnerships. Our mission is simple: empower our people to deliver innovative, sustainable projects that make a real impact on communities. Guided by our core values—Client Driven, Uniquely Nimble, Low Bureaucracy, Team Collaboration, Unlimited Opportunities, Relationship Focused, and Entrepreneurial Spirit—we foster a culture that puts people first.

Aviation Planner Team Lead manages and leads aviation planning projects and planning staff in support of commercial service and general aviation clients, with a strong emphasis on airfield planning and advisory services. This role is responsible for overseeing the planning and evaluation of airside and landside facilities, ensuring alignment with development, operational, safety, capacity, environmental, and regulatory requirements.

The Aviation Planner Team Lead serves as a technical leader and project manager, applying advanced aviation planning principles, FAA regulations, and industry best practices to guide multidisciplinary teams through complex airport planning initiatives. The position is responsible for leading a team of project managers and managing project scope, schedules, budgets, quality control, client relationships, and staff development while providing strategic guidance on airport development programs.

This role works closely with airport sponsors, FAA representatives, engineers, environmental specialists, and other stakeholders on airport master plans, airport layout plans (ALPs), airfield development plans, airfield geometry studies, capacity and demand analyses, environmental documentation, land use compatibility studies, and capital improvement programs (CIPs). The Aviation Planner Team Lead plays a critical role in advancing safe, efficient, sustainable, and future-focused airport infrastructure solutions while driving successful project delivery and team performance.

The role will lead planning efforts for complex airport expansion programs by defining facility requirements, shaping development strategies, and ensuring capital investments support the airport's long-term operational and growth objectives. Including:

• Leading Program Definition:
  Develop and oversee Program Definition Documents (PDDs), establishing operational, capacity, and facility requirements for major airport expansion and modernization programs.
• Driving Strategic Planning:
  Aviation forecasting, capacity analyses, facility programming, and long-range planning to support airport growth and capital investment decisions.
• Managing Stakeholder Engagement:
  Serve as the primary planning liaison with airport leadership, airlines, regulatory agencies, tenants, and project teams to align program objectives and operational needs.
• Guiding Development Alternatives and Phasing:
  Evaluate expansion concepts, identify risks and constraints, and develop phased implementation strategies that maintain airport operations during construction.
• Providing Technical Leadership:
  Direct multidisciplinary planning efforts, mentor junior staff, and ensure airport development programs align with master plans, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.

• Coordinate with leaders in other regions within Ardurra for collective advancement of the group.
• Lead and manage aviation planning teams in the delivery of airport planning projects.
• Serve as project manager and technical lead for airport master plans, aviation system plans, airport layout plans (ALPs), airfield development studies, and capital improvement programs.
• Direct planning…