Principal Ecologist (Belfast)

Jacobs Solutions Inc.; Belfast City District; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Professional development support

Volunteer & charitable donations

Hybrid working models

Job summary

Jacobs Solutions Inc. is seeking a Principal Ecologist to lead ecological inputs for major infrastructure projects across Europe. You will drive environmental assessments, advise clients, and mentor junior staff while shaping biodiversity outcomes across water, transport and energy sectors.

You will join a growing Irish ecology team, operate in a hybrid model from Belfast, Dublin or Cork offices, and contribute to high-profile programmes with national and international impact.

Qualifications

• Degree in ecology or related field with extensive industry experience.
• Strong understanding of ecology, environmental assessment and regulatory frameworks.
• Excellent communication and client-facing skills, able to influence and lead.
• Experience managing complex projects and contributing to proposals or work-winning activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead ecological inputs for EIA and AA.
• Provide strategic ecological advice as a trusted technical lead for clients and teams.
• Collaborate within multidisciplinary teams to integrate ecological considerations into design.
• Build relationships with clients, regulators and stakeholders to support pipelines.
• Represent Jacobs in networks, conferences, and client meetings.
• Mentor and guide junior team members to foster technical excellence.

Skills

Terrestrial ecology

Environmental assessment

Regulatory frameworks

Client facing

Project leadership

Mentoring

Business development

Collaborative teamwork

Education

Degree in ecology or related environmental discipline

Chartered membership of a relevant body

Job description

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

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.

We have ecology teams based across the Ireland and would welcome applicants into our offices in Dublin, Cork and Belfast. While Jacobs offers flexibility in how and where you work, regular office presence is important to guide, support and mentor our growing Irish ecology team.

As part of a collaborative and growing team, you’ll contribute to the delivery of major high-profile projects across Infrastructure, Utilities, Local Authorities and more. From the East Coast Rail Infrastructure Protection Programme to large‑scale coastal protection and underground cable schemes, your work will directly influence environmental outcomes at national and international level.

This is more than project delivery – it’s an opportunity to make a visible and meaningful contribution to sustainable development, nature recovery and resilient infrastructure at scale in one of Irelands most dynamic regions.

What’s In It For Me

• Global reach – collaborate with 600+ ecologists worldwide and tap into unmatched expertise
• Clear progression – structured development through our Global Career Framework & Chartership Academy
• Develop technical excellence – strengthen your expertise across a broad range of sectors while supporting and mentoring early-career ecologists
• Influence major projects – work on a range of high-profile, complex infrastructure projects across water, transport, and energy and multiple local authorities
• Champion biodiversity – help shape sustainable solutions that balance development needs with nature recovery and environmental stewardship
• Build your professional profile – develop trusted client relationships, contribute to thought leadership, and be recognised for delivering high-quality ecological outcomes

About the Opportunity

We’re looking for a driven Principal Ecologist to join our Irish ecology team, to take a leading role in some of the most transformative infrastructure projects in Europe. From the ground‑breaking Rail Infrastructure Protection Projects which is the largest coastal protection initiative in Europe, to pioneering underground electricity cable schemes of unprecedented scale. You’ll be at the forefront of projects that protect communities, drive innovation, and advance sustainable infrastructure.

In this role, you will:

• Lead and contribute to ecological inputs for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and Appropriate Assessments (AA)
• Provide strategic ecological advice as a trusted technical lead for clients, project teams and stakeholders
• Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, ensuring ecological considerations are integrated into project design and decision-making
• Build strong relationships with internal and external clients, environmental regulators and stakeholders to support future work pipelines
• Represent Jacobs through participation in professional networks, conferences, client meetings and knowledge sharing events
• Mentor, support and guide junior team members, fostering a culture of technical excellence and collaboration

Here’s what you’ll need

• A background in terrestrial ecology with an extensive number of years’ relevant industry experience.
• A degree in ecology or a related environmental discipline with extensive industry experience
• Chartered membership of an appropriate professional body (or eligibility and commitment to achieving chartership)
• Strong technical expertise across ecology, environmental assessment and regulatory frameworks
• Excellent communication and client facing skills, with the ability to influence, advise and lead
• Experience managing complex projects and contributing to business development, proposals or work‑winning activities
• A collaborative mindset and passion for advancing high-quality ecological outcomes across Ireland’s growing infrastructure landscape

Ideally you’ll also have

• Experience working on infrastructure, energy, water or transport projects
• Experience of protective species licencing and biodiversity enhancements

Why Join Now?

People are Jacobs’ greatest asset, and we offer a competitive package to retain and attract the best talent.

In addition to the benefits you’d expect, Irish employees also receive:

• defined company contribution pension scheme;
• life assurance and income protection scheme
• reimbursement towards relevant professional development and memberships;
• support to their local communities through our Collectively program which incorporates matched‑funding, paid volunteering time and charitable donations.

People are Jacobs’ greatest asset, and we offer a competitive package to retain and attract the best talent. In addition to the benefits you’d expect, Irish employees also receive:

• Generous Company contribution into their pension;
• life assurance and income protection scheme
• reimbursement towards relevant professional development and memberships;
• support to their local communities through our Collectively program which incorporates matched‑funding, paid volunteering time and charitable donations;
• opportunity to buy leave.

Wellbeing support and resources are available to employees comprising the following:

• Free employee medical cover and digital GP service.
• Mindfulness Platform.
• Dedicated Workplace Support 1:1 Counselling Consultations.
• Confidential information & counselling service provided by Optum. Emotional Wellbeing Solutions is a free confidential information and counselling service available 24/7 via phone or online. Experienced consultants are available to discuss finance, legal, family matters and counselling can be provided for personal support.
• Personalised financial planning and support provided by Origin, with 1:1 access to dedicated certified financial planners.
• Work-life balance and flexibility is a key focus area for Jacobs. We’re happy to discuss the different working patterns we offer:
  • hybrid working
  • part-time roles
  • flexible working hours including compressed hours (working full‑time hours over fewer days)
  • We also offer the ability for employees to take time off in lieu to ensure staff have time to rest and recuperate between busy periods

Fertility and family benefits and support are available to Irish employees comprising the following:

• reproductive health and family‑building support through Carrot, including fertility preservation, fertility treatment, adoption, surrogacy, donor assistance, pregnancy and menopause support.

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well‑being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs .

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging.Find out more about our Jacobs Employee Networks here .

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit https://www.vercida.com/uk/employers/jacobs to view and access our roles.

As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

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 .