Transportation Planning Lead - Illinois Market

About Lochner

Founded in 1944, Lochner is a trusted infrastructure services provider for aviation, surface transportation and water clients who need high-quality, forward-looking solutions to complex challenges. Our vision is to become a Top 100 leader in the A/E industry, centered on an agile, engaged, and empowered workforce coming together to embrace the art of the possible and make a lasting difference in our world.

Are you ready to join us on this journey?

As a people-centric company, Lochner’s purpose is to empower our team to put their knowledge to work, enhancing communities across the US. To achieve this, we hire candidates of all experiences and skillsets because amazing things happen when people with diverse backgrounds come together to solve problems. We believe collaboration is more than a buzz word — it is a guiding principle in which every point of view is valued and heard and is the driving force in delivering our best work. At all levels of the organization, we foster an entrepreneurial spirit and culture of autonomy to advance our strategic vision and continually seek our next success story.  Lochner – learn more about us

Your impact:

• Lead urban, area‑based, and multimodal transportation planning studies across Illinois
• Serve as the primary planning lead and trusted advisor for clients and stakeholders
• Guide development of visioning, goals, and planning frameworks rooted in community context
• Lead or support multimodal corridor studies, including pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and curbside considerations
• Integrate transportation, land use, economic development, and placemaking concepts
• Coordinate closely with public involvement specialists to shape inclusive, meaningful engagement
• Work collaboratively with engineering and environmental teams to ensure planning concepts are implementable
• Manage scope, schedule, budget, and quality for planning‑focused studies
• Interface directly with IDOT, MPOs, municipalities, and local agencies
• Support proposal development and interviews by bringing strong Illinois‑based planning credibility
• Mentor junior planners and contribute to the growth of an urban and multimodal planning practice

Who you are:

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Transportation Planning, Civil Engineering, Geography, or related field
• 12 years of professional planning experience
• Demonstrated experience leading urban planning, area studies, corridor studies, or multimodal plans
• Strong understanding of multimodal transportation systems and complete streets principles
• Experience working with Illinois agencies, MPOs, or municipalities
• Proven ability to lead teams, facilitate discussions, and communicate planning concepts clearly
• Strong writing and presentation skills

Preferred Qualifications

• AICP certification
• Experience with downtown, neighborhood, or corridor revitalization studies
• Familiarity with planning‑to‑implementation or planning‑to‑engineering workflows
• Experience supporting public engagement, workshops, and stakeholder meetings
• Proposal and interview experience for public‑sector clients

Joining Lochner means gaining access to a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to support your health and financial well-being throughout your career.

Lochner provides an extensive total rewards package that includes:

• Competitive Premiums for Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Paid Time Off and Flexible Holiday Program
• Company Paid Disability (includes paid Maternity Leave), and Life Insurance
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) with Employer Contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Medical Expenses and/or Dependent Care
• Paid Family Leave
• Retirement Plan with Employer Match 
• Flexible Work Schedules (Hybrid or Remote, when possible)
• Wellness Program for Physical and Mental Health
• Lochner Cares Non-Profit 501c3
• Education and Training Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discounts
• Paid Time Off for Charitable Acts of Service

What we offer – Learn more

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. 

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Intermittent sitting, walking, standing, bending, squatting, climbing, kneeling, twisting, stoop, crawl, and lifting. The employee must frequently lift and/or move light equipment up to 20 pounds. Must be alert to equipment in the field, occasional need to work near hazardous equipment and machinery, occasional need to walk on uneven ground, exposure to dust, gas or fumes, exposure to noise, extremes in temperature or humidity, and potential work at heights. 

Equal Employer

Lochner is proudly committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce.  Lochner provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

All positions at Lochner require an applicant who has accepted an employment offer to undergo pre-employment screening. Background checks include SSN/SIN validation, motor vehicle verification, education verification, employment verification, a criminal check, search against global sanctions and government watch lists, and drug tests. All employment offers are contingent upon successful results of the pre-employment screening.

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Salary : $140,000 - $165,000