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Principal Planner/Economist

HNTBAtlanta, GAJune 1st, 2026
What We're Looking ForAt HNTB, you can create a career that is meaningful to you while building communities that matter to all of us. For more than a century, we have been delivering solutions for some of the largest, most complex infrastructure projects across the country. With our historic growth, it is an exciting time to join our team of employee-owners.This opportunity entails being responsible for applying planning strategies utilizing various technologies and tools to gather and analyze data, assess outcomes, and develop reporting and visuals to effectively communicate findings. This position performs tasks for planning projects including research, studies, and documentation, coordinating with multi-discipline team members, from concept development through project completion. This position directs the technical production of planning assignments as task assignee and may serve as a Project Manager on a limited basis for select medium and large-scale projects. Coordinates with project manager, project designer and other disciplines on multiple large scale and complex transportation planning, urban design, or landscape architectural projects to ensure that the client's technical requirements of projects are fully met. The Principal Planner determines objectives and requirements within the discipline, organizes programs and projects and develops standards and guides for diverse planning activities.What You’ll DoExecutes a higher level of project achievement and consistently delivers strong client performance.Determines objectives and requirements within the discipline, organizes programs and projects, and develops standards and guides for diverse planning activities.Represents the practice within the firm on a regional or national scope, both internally and externally.Networks - Initiates and maintains extensive contacts with transportation planning, engineering, urban design and/or planning leaders and other discipline/office leaders (internal/external).Participates with professional organizations such as serving on committees and/or as an executive or board member.Advises on best practice and technical expertise.Provides guidance and mentors staff.Supports department managers and office leadership with strategic planning, staffing/training, and other special projects.May serve as project manager or task lead.Performs other duties as assigned.What You’ll NeedBachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture, Planning, Environmental Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Engineering, Urban Planning, Geography, or related field and 12 years related experience, orMaster's Degree in Landscape Architecture, Planning, Environmental Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Engineering, Urban Planning, Geography, or related field and 11 yrs of relevant experienceWhat You’ll BringIllustrates a consistent level of project understanding and management by assessing project needs and creating a work plan. Solves problems for complex issues and innovates new methodologies. Maintains a comprehensive understanding of relevant local, state and federal requirements.Analyzes data using critical thinking.Develops an effective scope, schedule, and budget.Develops a large network of high level relationships with clients and peer practitioners. Serves as a trusted advisor.Manages responsibility for quality control.What We PreferMaster's degree in Urban Planning or related field.Professional Engineer (PE), American Institute of Certified Planner (AICP), Professional Transportation Planner (PTP), Certified Environmental Professional (CEP), Envision, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP)Experience preparing economic impact studies, market assessments, or transportation demand analyses.Knowledge of federal and state transportation funding programs, regulatory frameworks, and grant evaluation criteria.Experience applying economic models, including input–output, econometric, and computable general equilibrium (CGE) models, to evaluate transportation and infrastructure impacts.Experience working with key economic data sources, including employment, income, GDP, and productivity datasets from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Census Bureau, and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).Experience developing financial models, forecasts, and scenario analyses to support long range planning and strategic decision making.Knowledge of infrastructure industry trends, regulatory changes, and economic indicators andExperience leading and supporting benefit cost analyses (BCA) for major infrastructure projects, ensuring compliance with federal guidance and United States Department Of Transportation (USDOT) requirements.Additional InformationClick here for benefits information: HNTB Total RewardsClick here to learn more about Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran\#SRLocations:Atlanta, GANotice To Third-party AgenciesHNTB does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or agencies. Any staffing/employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume to this site does so with the understanding that the applicant's resume will become the property of HNTB. HNTB will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion and without any fee owed to the submitting staffing/employment agency, person or entity. Staffing/employment agencies who have fee agreements with HNTB must submit applicants to the designated HNTB recruiter to be eligible for placement fees.Job Type: RegularFull/Part Time: Full timeJob Category: Planning GroupReqID: R-30349