Principal Airport Planner

About the Role

• Manage and deliver airport masterplans, facility planning, capacity and demand analysis, and simulation modelling. • Lead medium to large projects as Project Manager, overseeing technical airport planning workstreams. • Mentor and train junior staff, including graduates, and develop larger planning project teams. • Build and nurture client relationships, identify new opportunities, and produce winning proposals. • Collaborate with multidisciplinary aviation team members such as airfield engineers, forecasters, and business planners. • Organise, manage and supervise medium to large workstreams, ensuring commercial success.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸masterplanning
• ▸capacity analysis
• ▸simulation modelling
• ▸project management
• ▸client relations
• ▸team mentoring

What You Bring

The specialist aviation team, based in London and Madrid, delivers major airport planning and development projects globally. Mott MacDonald is seeking a Principal Airport Planner with a relevant qualification and professional aviation experience to join this diverse team of airport planners, airfield engineers and analysts, and to contribute to sustainable aviation solutions. Applicants must hold a degree in aeronautical or civil engineering, architecture, air‑transport management, airport planning or a related discipline, and possess significant aviation industry experience together with chartership or equivalent transferable skills. Fluency in English is required, and knowledge of additional languages is a plus. Key personal attributes include a proactive learning mindset, strong teamwork and collaboration skills, methodical problem‑solving, and the ability to manage and supervise medium to large workstreams across multiple disciplines. Excellent verbal and written communication, attention to detail, and proficiency with Microsoft Office and drawing platforms such as AutoCAD Civil 3D, AviPlan, Infraworks, Navisworks and Revit are essential. Mott MacDonald does not currently offer Skilled Worker visa sponsorship following changes to the UK immigration route in April 2024, but welcomes applications from candidates eligible for alternative immigration routes that do not require sponsorship. Accessibility support is provided throughout the recruitment process; candidates with disabilities can request reasonable adjustments via the dedicated email address. • Hold a degree in aeronautical/civil engineering, architecture, air‑transport management, airport planning or related fields. • Possess significant aviation industry experience and chartership or equivalent transferable skills. • Demonstrate expertise across multiple airport planning domains (airfield, apron, terminal, landside, utilities, airspace). • Show a proactive learning mindset, teamwork, critical thinking, and methodical problem‑solving abilities. • Communicate effectively verbally and in writing; produce accurate technical drawings and reports. • Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel (Power BI desirable). • Skilled in drawing platforms such as AutoCAD Civil 3D, AviPlan, Infraworks, Navisworks, Revit. • Knowledgeable in simulation and modelling tools for airfield and terminal capacity and demand analysis.

Requirements

• ▸engineering degree
• ▸chartered
• ▸aviation experience
• ▸microsoft office
• ▸cad tools
• ▸problem solving

Benefits

The successful candidate will be a flexible, motivated professional with a genuine passion for the aviation industry and a commitment to sustainability. Mott MacDonald is an equal‑opportunity employer that values diversity and creates an inclusive culture where all employees can thrive. The company promotes agile working, allowing employees and managers to choose hybrid working arrangements that support well‑being, flexibility and trust while meeting client and team commitments. Mott MacDonald offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health and wellbeing provisions, financial security measures, generous holiday allowances, enhanced family and carers leave, extensive learning and development opportunities, and participation in employee networks that support various community groups and social outcomes. • Private medical insurance, health cash plan, and menopause support through Peppy. • Pension matching 4.5%‑7%, life assurance up to 4‑6× salary, income protection, flexible benefits and bonus schemes. • 33‑35 days holiday (increasing to 35 after 5 years) with buy/sell option; additional family and carers leave. • Annual professional institution subscription, mentoring, formal training and self‑development opportunities. • Access to employee networks supporting LGBTQ+, gender, race, disability, parents/carers, and community social outcomes.

Work Environment

Hybrid