Principal Environmental Planner/Scientist

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

We are excited to announce a rare opportunity to be a leader with Jacobs, a global engineering and environmental services firm. As a Principal Environmental Planner/Scientist, based out of any of our California offices (preferred locations would be San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Irvine, or San Diego), you will lead environmental programs and build a practice to help support our clients to adapt and thrive in the face of current and future challenges. At the Principal level, you will manage highly complex or controversial projects related to energy, renewables, transportation, utilities, and water sectors. Your leadership will be key to influencing multiple projects, from technical and management delivery strategies to meeting client goals. In this role you will be supporting the growth of our environmental planning business by contributing to client development and pursuits. You will do this by leveraging strong client and strategic partner relationships to diversify and differentiate our Jacobs brand. You will also be responsible for mentoring our team members to enable career growth and efficient and effective delivery of project work.

Here's what you'll need

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Planning, Environmental Sciences, Natural Resources, or other related technical areas.
• Requires 15-20 years of progressively responsible work history as a project manager, ideally with prior consulting experience
• Subject matter expert and experience leading CEQA, NEPA, and/or ESA compliance
• Experience leading permitting efforts with agencies including but not limited to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, Regional Water Quality Control Board, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, California Coastal Commission, California Department of Water Resources, and California Department of Transportation
• Demonstrated project and pursuit management experience, including managing contract budgets, schedules, scope, and large, multidisciplinary teams to complete projects on time and on budget
• Experience coordinating and managing teams of environmental professionals on a variety of projects at the same time
• Must be able to efficiently deliver results in a highly matrixed, fast-moving, and complex environment.
• Ability to charter and lead a project or task team with a focus on client service and internal delivery goals
• Travel expectation of 10%-15% for pursuits, projects, client relationship management, or fieldwork.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Willingness to champion safe work practices by following all company safety rules and OSHA regulations

Ideally, you'll also have

• 10+ years Program Manager experience
• Master's degree or other graduate degree
• Experience in the environmental consulting industry; renewables, energy infrastructure, transportation, or other related project sectors
• Have built a practice or built a company or specialized teams.
• Experience leading complex environmental on-call contracts
• Experience evaluating impacts and developing mitigation plans for the West Coast's threatened and endangered fishes (salmonids, Delta/longfin smelt, sturgeons, etc.).

The successful candidates will have the knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience required to accomplish the mission and carry out the responsibilities outlined in the job description.

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, one floating holiday, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $170,100.00 to $257, Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Job posted on July 25, 2025. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

At Jacobs, we're partnering across the globe to create the best project outcomes by maximizing the design, digital technology, and support capabilities of our Global Integrated Delivery (GID) teammates. By joining Jacobs, you'll commit to supporting and engaging with these teams, as we work to build a company like no other.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we're keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.