Principal Energy Consultant (Thermal Generation)

Jacobs; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A global engineering consultancy in Leeds is seeking a Principal Energy Consultant to lead projects related to energy transition and decarbonisation. The role requires a strong background in thermal generation or energy from waste projects alongside project management expertise. Candidates should possess a relevant engineering degree and be comfortable engaging with diverse stakeholders. This position offers a hybrid working environment and a comprehensive benefits package to support employee well-being and professional growth.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Free single medical cover

Enhanced parental leave pay

Professional development reimbursement

Volunteering time and charitable donations

Qualifications

• Experience in large thermal generation or energy from waste projects.
• Strong project management skills.
• Knowledge of current environmental and energy policies.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical projects and ensure quality outputs.
• Engage with various stakeholders.
• Maintain knowledge of energy and carbon policy developments.
• Conduct energy technology options appraisals.
• Prepare low-carbon energy solutions.

Skills

Public, industrial and commercial energy usage

Energy savings

Utility plant development

Emission reductions

Energy management

Strong communication skills

Quantitative and problem-solving skills

Education

Engineering degree (Chemical/Mechanical or equivalent)

Job description

Principal Energy Consultant (Thermal Generation) – Energy Advisory

Within our Energy Advisory capability, we advise clients on the challenges and opportunities regarding decarbonisation / net zero issues specifically in relation to requirements for delivering the global energy transition. This includes decentralised low‑carbon generation, innovation in technologies and energy sources, as well as policy and regulatory support.

We are seeking a technical specialist with previous design and / or operational experience of large thermal generation or energy from waste projects including boilers and turbines. This pro‑active individual will have experience across the energy industry including modern / future energy systems in terms of their technical properties and ideally any economic and environmental impacts.

The successful candidate will have experience in public, industrial and commercial energy usage, energy savings, utility plant development and emission reductions which complement our decarbonisation services and business‑case assessment. They will also train / mentor colleagues to help deliver continued development of the team, growth in our services and offer greater value to our clients.

The successful candidate will also be able to work collaboratively with our global operations and sales teams to provide client focus and support, innovative solutions to our clients' most challenging problems, connect and nurture our technical resources. You will help the client and Jacobs transition advisory projects into subsequent stages such as design, consents and ultimately construction.

Key responsibilities

• Technical lead and being accountable for key tasks and quality data outputs through project reviewer role.
• Engaging with a range of stakeholders at all levels.
• Maintaining knowledge of energy / carbon policy developments, energy markets and wider energy / sustainability issues.
• Key inputs in the development or review of engineering design throughout project life‑cycle.
• Energy generation technology options appraisals and life‑cycle cost analysis. In particular with experience in large industrial combustion systems, turbines and energy from waste plants.
• Energy management, asset reviews and audit surveys, energy demand modelling and preparing low‑carbon energy solutions that are either led by reconfiguring existing operations at sites or developing new strategies. You need to enjoy working in a dynamic team environment and where necessary using your expertise to guide other members of staff.
• You’ll also require the ability to lead bid preparation, deliver to tight timescales, be technically accurate and to manage a number of schemes simultaneously, either as the lead or as part of a team.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, and excellent quantitative and problem‑solving skills are essential as part of this role.

Qualifications

• An engineering degree, likely to have a focus on energy (Chemical / Mechanical or equivalent process‑related degree).
• Previous engineering experience, including time spent working on large thermal generation or energy from waste projects either in design and/or operation.
• Site based experience working on utility systems and experience working within a consultancy environment.
• Strong project management skills, including ability to develop clear work programmes and communicate requirements to other team members.
• Knowledge of current and anticipated environmental, carbon and energy policy and legislation and how this can apply to organisations and projects.
• Strong communication skills, ability to engage with colleagues and clients and provide clear, evidence‑based advice verbally and within written reports and presentations.
• Capable of developing standard engineering deliverables such as heat and mass balances.

Why Jacobs?

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, UK employees also receive free single medical cover and digital GP service, family‑friendly benefits such as enhanced parental leave pay and free membership of employee assistance and parental programmes, plus reimbursement towards relevant professional development and memberships. We also give back to our communities through our Collectively program which incorporates matched‑funding, paid volunteering time and charitable donations.

Employment Details

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.

Equal Opportunities

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

Your Application Experience

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.