Senior Environmental Permitting Lead

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Environmental Permitting Lead to drive the successful planning, siting, and permitting of complex energy and infrastructure projects. This senior-level role will serve as a technical project lead responsible for environmental permitting strategy, regulatory interface, and high-quality technical deliverables. The position involves significant involvement in proposal preparation, competitive pursuits, cross-department collaboration, and mentorship of junior staff. You will work closely with Project Management to ensure project success and play a central role in expanding and strengthening the Environmental Planning & Permitting practice in the Northeast.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience in federal and state environmental permitting, strong technical leadership, and a proven record of guiding multidisciplinary teams. Experience with transportation infrastructure, energy transmission, renewable energy, or similar large-scale development projects is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead environmental permitting and regulatory strategy for transportation, infrastructure, energy, and development projects across New England.
• Serve as senior technical lead and subject matter expert on NEPA, state environmental policy acts, EIS/EAs, Clean Water Act Section 10/401/404/408, Coastal Zone Management, endangered species, marine and terrestrial resource assessments, and state-level permit frameworks (MA, RI, CT, etc.).
• Oversee preparation and quality control of environmental documents, technical analyses, permit applications, routing studies, impact assessments, and compliance materials.
• Provide high-level review, technical editing, and strategic guidance across interdisciplinary teams.
• Provide limited project management support, including contributing to scopes, schedules, budgets, and coordination of task leads.
• Mentor junior and mid-level staff by offering technical direction, career development feedback, and oversight of work products.
• Support client communication and agency engagement throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead or support interactions with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies, including USACE, DOT, transit authorities, NMFS, EPA, state siting boards, coastal agencies, and environmental regulators.
• Represent the company in stakeholder meetings, technical workshops, settlement discussions, public meetings, and interagency coordination.
• Prepare proposals, develop scope and fee strategies, and support competitive bid processes and interviews for new work.
• Support practice growth by identifying opportunities, informing pursuit strategies, and contributing to marketing materials.
• Collaborate across departments (environmental, engineering, planning, resilience, and energy) to create integrated project approaches.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, planning, biology, ecology, natural resources, or a related field.
• 10+ years of professional experience in environmental permitting and compliance, with significant experience leading large, multidisciplinary infrastructure or energy projects.
• Demonstrated expertise with federal and state permitting frameworks (NEPA, MEPA, Clean Water Act, ESA, CZMA, EFH, etc.).
• Experience engaging with agencies such as USACE, NMFS, EPA, and state environmental departments.
• Strong technical writing, editing, and communication skills.
• Proven experience mentoring staff and leading technical teams in a fast-paced, collaborative, and multidisciplinary environment.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks with shifting priorities.
• Occasional travel for client meetings, public meetings, and site visits.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in environmental engagement, environmental science, natural resources, or a related technical discipline.
• Extensive experience with transportation, electrical transmission, renewable energy permitting, and/or siting.
• Experience with settlement negotiations, regulatory strategy development, or interagency environmental planning.
• Experience contributing to or leading major proposal efforts.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance.
• 401(k) plan with company stock purchase options at a discount.
• Deferred compensation plan or Executive Deferral Plan for eligible employees.
• Unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees.
• Seven paid holidays and caregiver leave.
• Eligibility for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock for certain roles.

Pay

The base salary range for this position is $127,000.00 to $200,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Schedule

Hybrid working policy allowing employees to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations.