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

Collaboration and Team Development

Funding and Business Development

What you will bring to our firm :

Preferred Qualifications :

Compensation :

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

Featured Benefits :

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.