Air Quality Consultant

Mott MacDonald; Brighton; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Pension contributions match

Flexible benefits and wellbeing

Job summary

Mott MacDonald is seeking an Air Quality Consultant to join our Energy team in the UK. Based in Brighton, Bristol, Edinburgh, Manchester, or remote hybrid, you will deliver air quality assessments for planning, permits, and EIAs, across UK and international projects.

You will work with dispersion modelling and GIS, contributing to technical reviews and business development. You will join a diverse, multidisciplinary team, developing expertise in odour assessments and energy-related projects,

Qualifications

• Has relevant practical air quality experience and can undertake assessments with guidance from senior team members.
• Academic qualification in a relevant subject and keen to build technical capability and take on responsibility.
• Experience using dispersion modelling software (ADMS-Roads, ADMS, AERMOD) and GIS.

Responsibilities

• Deliver air quality assessments for UK planning applications, environmental permit applications and EIAs, including international projects.
• Contribute to air quality modelling, policy advice, and technical reviews; support odour assessment work.

Skills

Air quality assessments

Technical writing

English fluency

Education

Degree in air quality/environmental science

Tools

ADMS-Roads

ADMS

AERMOD

GIS

Job description

Location/s: Brighton, Bristol, Edinburgh, Manchester; UK

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices.

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve.

Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual.

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

About Thebusinessunit

The Energy unit delivers services to clients globally across several sectors including hydropower, nuclear, waste, renewable generation and transmission & distribution networks. Together we provide integrated engineering and project management services across the project lifecycle – from concept and design to construction and operations, to decommissioning or repowering and life extension. Together with our clients, we’re helping to deliver the energy transition globally.

About The Team

Our Energy business has an exciting opportunity for an Air Quality Consultant to join our growing team, based in one of our Brighton, Bristol, Manchester or Edinburgh offices. You’ll have the opportunity to work on a diverse portfolio of projects in the UK and internationally, across the energy, transport, data centre and advisory sectors.

Our recent international air quality work has taken us across Ireland, Australia, Hong Kong, Qatar, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, the USA and the UAE. Our energy portfolio covers gas- and diesel-fired power generation, energy from waste and nuclear projects. We also provide strategic and technical air quality advice to a diverse range of clients, including lenders and investors involved in the development and acquisition of assets around the world. We support clients through the environmental permitting process, including the preparation of air quality assessments for new and existing facilities.

Our transport work spans aviation, rail and highways, while our growing data centre portfolio includes assessing the air quality impacts associated with baseload and emergency backup power generation.

Overview Of The Role

With us, you’ll have the opportunity to deliver air quality assessments for UK planning applications, environmental permit applications and EIAs, alongside large-scale international projects for private developers and international financial institutions. Your work will be varied and could include air quality modelling and monitoring, technical and policy advice, preparing air quality assessments and undertaking technical reviews. We are also seeing increasing demand for odour assessments, providing opportunities to develop experience in this growing area of our work.

You’ll work alongside experienced members of the team, taking responsibility for your own technical work and supporting the delivery and management of projects. You’ll also have opportunities to broaden your experience by contributing to business development activities and the preparation of proposals.

James will be your manager: “We have an exciting and diverse range of projects ahead, including major UK infrastructure schemes, planning applications and EIAs, environmental permitting and international development projects. You’ll be an integral part of the team, delivering high‑quality technical work across a varied portfolio. We’re looking for someone who is enthusiastic about air quality, keen to develop their technical experience and ready to take on increasing responsibility as their career progresses.”

Candidate specification

We are looking for someone who already has relevant practical air quality experience and can undertake assessments with guidance and support from senior team members. You’ll have a suitable academic qualification in a relevant subject and be keen to build your technical capability and take on increasing responsibility as your experience develops.

Although we have a strong portfolio of energy and international work, you’ll also be supporting our ongoing UK transport projects. Experience of transport‑related air quality assessments for UK planning applications and EIAs would therefore be particularly valuable. You’ll be familiar with UK assessment approaches and have experience using relevant tools, including ADMS‑Roads, ADMS and/or AERMOD, together with GIS platforms. Knowledge or experience of Irish air quality guidance and assessment approaches, particularly for energy and transport projects, would be advantageous. Previous experience of odour assessment, including applying IAQM guidance and assessment approaches, would also be beneficial.

We welcome applications from air quality specialists with the following experience:

• A suitable academic qualification, such as a degree in air quality, environmental science or another relevant subject
• Demonstrable experience of undertaking air quality assessments in accordance with relevant guidance and best practice
• Practical experience using recognised dispersion modelling software, including ADMS-Roads, ADMS and/or AERMOD
• Experience of undertaking air quality assessments for large UK infrastructure projects as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team
• Experience in using geographical information systems (GIS)
• Fluent written and spoken English, with strong technical writing and communication skills

Desirable:

• Knowledge and experience of air quality monitoring techniques for a range of pollutants
• Experience of odour assessment, including qualitative assessment and/or odour dispersion modelling
• Experience of air quality assessment for energy generation projects, including environmental permitting
• Associate or full membership of a relevant professional body, such as IAQM or IEMA

We are actively recruiting a diverse workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve. We recognise that differences in ability, skills and experience are a strength and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

Please be advised that offers for this role are conditional upon obtaining the appropriate level of Security Clearance.

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Agile working

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well‑being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

AI Usage

At Mott MacDonald, we see the value AI can bring, but we take a people‑first approach to hiring. While AI tools can help candidates prepare and build confidence, every application and hiring decision is reviewed by our recruitment and hiring teams. We encourage the responsible use of AI while ensuring we get to know the real person behind the application.

Accessibility

We want you to feel supported and able to perform at your best throughout our recruitment process. If there is anything we can do to make applying or interviewing with us more accessible, please contact us at [e-mail] and we'll be happy to discuss how we can help.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long‑term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long‑term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Lifestyle

• A minimum of 33‑35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• 10 days additional paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high‑street retailers.

Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.
• We offer policies and dedicated support to help military families balance service life with career and wellbeing.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self‑development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and Gold Award holders in the MOD Employer Recognition Scheme, supported by our dedicated internal Armed Forces Network. If you're a service leaver, veteran, reservist or member of a military family, you can connect with our people through Armed Forces Careers - Connectr to ask questions, gain career insights and learn more about opportunities at Mott MacDonald.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.

Location(s):

Manchester, GB Brighton, GB Bristol, GB Edinburgh, GB

Contract Type: Permanent

Work Pattern: Full Time

Market: Energy

Discipline: Energy

Job Ref: 17848