Transit & Rail Regional Planning Lead

GFT is seeking a Transit & Rail Regional Planner to join our team for the West, Central, and East Regions. This position provides direct supervisory oversight of Planners, Engineers, Project Managers, and other assigned program staff. Responsibilities include staff performance management, mentoring, workload planning, and professional development.

The Transit & Rail Regional Planning Lead provides strategic leadership, technical direction, and program oversight for complex multimodal transit planning initiatives, including rail, bus, and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) programs. This position serves as a trusted advisor to public-sector clients, guiding the development and implementation of projects that enhance mobility, support economic development, promote sustainability, and advance equitable transportation outcomes. The role requires collaboration across business lines and technical disciplines to identify planning opportunities, build high-performing teams, and deliver integrated planning, environmental, and program management consulting services, including compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

Strategic Leadership and Client Advisory

• Lead the strategy, development, and delivery of regional transit and rail planning programs, including long-range transportation plans, corridor and feasibility studies, service planning, bus network planning, BRT planning, and implementation strategies.
• Serve as a senior advisor to public-sector clients by providing strategic guidance on transit investments, policy development, funding strategies, and program delivery approaches.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships and serve as a primary point of contact for planning and program management services.
• Identify emerging industry trends, regulatory changes, and innovative technologies to support forward-looking planning solutions.

Environmental Planning and NEPA Compliance

• Provide leadership and technical oversight for NEPA processes, including environmental documentation, alternatives analysis, interagency coordination, and regulatory compliance for transit, rail, bus, and BRT projects.
• Coordinate with environmental specialists, technical teams, and regulatory agencies to ensure timely and compliant environmental reviews.
• Integrate environmental planning considerations into overall project planning and program delivery strategies.

Collaboration and Team Development

• Work across business lines and technical practices to identify planning opportunities, develop integrated service offerings, and build multidisciplinary project teams aligned with client needs and strategic goals.
• Coordinate with federal, state, regional, and local agencies to align transit and rail planning efforts with land use planning, economic development strategies, and multimodal transportation networks.
• Mentor and develop staff, fostering technical excellence, collaboration, and professional growth within the planning practice.

Funding and Business Development

• Support funding and grant development efforts, including preparation of federal and state grant applications, capital investment documentation, and funding strategy development.
• Lead or support proposal development, client presentations, and strategic pursuits to expand transit and rail planning services.
• Identify new market opportunities and support growth of planning and program management services.

What you will bring to our firm:

• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in transit and rail planning, program management, or related consulting services.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex multimodal planning projects, including rail, bus, and/or BRT systems.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and coordinating across technical disciplines and business lines.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local transportation planning processes, funding programs, and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated experience supporting or leading NEPA documentation and environmental review processes.
• Proven experience managing project budgets, schedules, and client relationships.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to travel as required to support client and project needs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional certification such as AICP, PE, PMP, or similar credentials.
• Experience supporting Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding programs, including Capital Investment Grants or other federal discretionary grant programs.
• Demonstrated success in business development, including proposal leadership and client relationship management.
• Experience working with large metropolitan transit agencies, state DOTs, or regional transportation authorities.
• Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement experience in complex or high-profile planning initiatives.

Compensation:

The salary range for this role is $140,000-$175,000. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.

Featured Benefits:

• Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships - that's why we're the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry's brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.

Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century's experience, together we're building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.

GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans' status or other characteristics protected by law.

Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.

Location: Los Angeles, CA
Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Employment Status: Full-Time

Salary Range: $140,000-$175,000

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GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.

"California Applicants"
Applicants in the County of Los Angeles - Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
Applicants in the City of San Francisco - Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Applicants in the State of California - Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.