Principal Transport Planner
Abu Dhabi, AE
About the role
Mott MacDonald is seeking a visionary Principal Transport Planner to lead the transportation and mobility aspects of masterplanning and land development projects across the UAE and wider region. This is a high-impact role where you will drive innovation, influence urban development, and collaborate with top-tier clients and stakeholders.
As a senior member of our team, you will be at the forefront of designing integrated transport strategies that respond to emerging trends and future needs. You will lead multidisciplinary teams, manage complex projects, and play a key role in shaping sustainable, smart, and connected communities.
Key responsibilities and duties are listed, but not limited to, the below:
- Lead and mentor design teams to deliver high-quality, compliant transport solutions.
- Develop forward-thinking transportation strategies and studies aligned with global mobility trends.
- Manage project budgets, schedules, and commercial performance.
- Lead client engagement and coordination with local authorities to secure approvals.
- Collaborate with urban planners, engineers, and other disciplines to ensure integrated masterplan outcomes.
- Prepare and oversee transport documentation, including technical reports and design support.
- Represent Mott MacDonald in technical meetings and provide guidance to junior staff.
Candidate specifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Transportation or Civil Engineering; MSc in Transport Planning or related field is highly desirable.
- Extensive experience in the UAE, particularly Abu Dhabi, with strong local authority and developer relationships is desirable
- Proven ability to lead transport studies and deliver integrated solutions within multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong judgment and decision-making skills on complex and sensitive issues.
- Advanced proficiency in strategic and micro-simulation modelling tools (e.g., Synchro, HCS, Sidra, Cube, VISUM/VISSIM) is advantageous.
- AIMSUM experience is advantageous.
- Chartered membership of a relevant professional institution is advantageous.
- Self-starter with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Our Purpose
At Mott MacDonald, our purpose is to improve society by considering social outcomes in everything we do; relentlessly focusing on excellence and digital innovation, transforming our clients’ businesses, our communities and employee opportunities.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of our organisation. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate, rather take positive steps towards creating a diverse and inclusive working environment.
Flexible Working
At Mott MacDonald, we support our staff to create work-life balance which works for them and welcome candidates looking for career flexibility. We are open to discussing flexible working at interview stage.
We can offer:
- 90 calendar days’ paid maternity leave
- Competitive annual leave
- An annual professional institution subscription
- Annual company performance bonus scheme – Subject to company performance