Principal Transport Modeller

Mott MacDonald; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Annual bonus

Flexible benefits

Employee ownership

Job summary

Mott MacDonald is expanding its Transport Modelling team to deliver diverse projects for public and private sector clients. You will work across the UK and internationally, applying established modelling techniques while exploring automation, data analytics, and emerging technologies to improve quality and efficiency.

The role emphasizes delivering high‑quality modelling outputs, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and contributing to business cases and scheme assessments.

Qualifications

• Practical experience developing or applying strategic transport models using PTV Visum, SATURN, CUBE or comparable software.
• Experience in model development, calibration, validation, forecasting and model application.
• Ability to deliver high-quality outputs with limited supervision and clearly communicate evidence-based conclusions.

Responsibilities

• Developing and applying strategic multi-modal transport models using software such as PTV Visum, SATURN, CUBE or equivalent.
• Delivering modelling activities including data analysis, model development, calibration, validation, forecasting, scenario testing and appraisal.
• Analysing and interpreting model outputs to support transport strategies and business cases.

Skills

Transport modelling

PTV Visum

SATURN

CUBE

Python scripting

GIS

SQL

Git

Education

Numerical or analytical qualification

Tools

PTV Visum

SATURN

CUBE

PTV Vissim

Job description

Location/s: Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Newcastle, Birmingham, Cambridge, London, Southampton; 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 The Business Unit

We help conceive, drive, and implement transport solutions for cities, regions, and asset owners/operators around the globe. From preparing the business case and advising on related issues - such as revenue, procurement, and environmental legislation - to delivering the completed infrastructure and helping maintain it. Our planning, engineering, environmental and management skills cover the whole project cycle. We play a major role in developing and delivering the Global Transport Sector Strategy.

Overview Of The Role

We are looking to expand our Transport Modelling team within our Transport & Mobility Solutions business. You will work on a diverse range of transport modelling and appraisal projects for major clients including the Department for Transport, National Highways, East West Rail and Heathrow Airport, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across the UK and internationally.

You will take responsibility for defined modelling tasks and work packages, combining established transport modelling techniques with data, automation and emerging technologies such as AI to improve the quality and efficiency of our work.

Key responsibilities and duties

• Developing and applying strategic multi-modal transport models, using software such as PTV Visum, SATURN, CUBE or equivalent.
• Delivering modelling activities including data analysis, model development, calibration, validation, forecasting, scenario testing and appraisal
• Analysing and interpreting model outputs to provide evidence for transport strategies, business cases and scheme assessments.
• Checking technical outputs against relevant guidance, quality requirements and industry best practice.
• Using data analysis, scripting and automation to improve modelling processes, quality assurance and reproducibility, and exploring appropriate applications of AI and emerging digital technologies.
• Producing clear technical outputs, communicating findings to colleagues and clients, and supporting less-experienced members of the team.
• Engaging with Early Career Professionals across other disciplines to build your professional network and cross-sector skills

Candidate specification

Essential

• Practical experience of developing or applying strategic transport models using PTV Visum, SATURN, CUBE or comparable software.
• Experience across key elements of transport modelling, such as model development, calibration, validation, forecasting and model application.
• The ability to take responsibility for defined technical tasks and deliver high-quality outputs with limited supervision.
• The ability to analyse modelling results, investigate technical issues and communicate evidence-based conclusions clearly.
• An understanding of relevant transport modelling guidance, quality assurance and the application of modelling to support transport decision‑making.
• A relevant numerical or analytical qualification, or equivalent relevant experience.

Desirable

• Experience in one or more of the following would be beneficial
• Python or other scripting and automation tools, including their application to modelling, data processing or quality assurance
• GIS, data visualisation, SQL, Git or other digital/data tools
• Microsimulation software such as PTV Vissim
• Practical use of AI and emerging digital technologies to make technical workflows more efficient, robust or insightful

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.

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): Birmingham, GB Cambridge, GB Southampton, GB Leeds, GB Liverpool, GB Manchester, GB Newcastle Upon Tyne, GB Sheffield, GB London, GB

Contract Type: Permanent

Work Pattern: Full Time

Market: Transport

Discipline: Planning and modelling

Job Ref: 17950