Transport Planner - Senior or Principal, Manchester

Jacobs; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Hybrid working

Learning and development

Global network

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Senior or Principal Transport Planner to join our growing Manchester team. You will lead the delivery of major transport planning commissions, apply industry guidance such as TAG and perform data-driven analysis to inform robust recommendations.

The role offers exposure to high-profile clients and opportunities to influence regional transport strategy. Based in Manchester with a flexible hybrid pattern, you will mentor graduates and contribute to business development while

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Transport Planning, Engineering, Mathematics, Geography, Data Science, Computer Science, Economics, or related analytical discipline.
• Demonstrable experience in transport planning/modelling with transport analysis tools and software.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of significant transport planning commissions from concept to completion.
• Analyse complex transport challenges and develop robust recommendations to secure investment.
• Support major infrastructure programmes, active travel initiatives and future mobility solutions.
• Mentor and develop graduates and early‑career professionals.
• Collaborate with clients and stakeholders to secure new opportunities and bid for framework commissions.

Skills

Transport planning

Transport modelling

Proposal writing

Client focus

TAG knowledge

Programming (Python)

Education

Degree in Transport Planning or related field

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

Shape the Future of Transport

As our Transport Planning business continues to grow across the North West, we're looking for a Senior or Principal Transport Planner to join our expanding Manchester team at a particularly exciting time. This is an opportunity to become part of a business that is helping shape how people move, connect and experience places, working on projects that influence transport investment, unlock growth, improve accessibility and support the transition to a more sustainable future.

Leading Complex Projects

From day one, you'll be trusted to lead the delivery of significant transport planning commissions, guiding projects from early concept through to successful completion. You'll use your expertise to analyse complex transport challenges, interpret evidence, apply industry guidance such as TAG, DMRB and LTN 1/20, and develop robust recommendations that help secure investment and shape future transport networks. Your work will directly support major infrastructure programmes, active travel initiatives, public transport improvements and future mobility solutions that have a lasting impact on communities across the UK.

High-Profile Client Work

What makes this role particularly exciting is the breadth and scale of work you'll be exposed to. Jacobs is involved in some of the UK's most important transport programmes, working alongside organisations including Manchester Airport Group, Transport for London, the Department for Transport, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the Transpennine Route Upgrade to name just a few. You'll have the opportunity to contribute to projects that influence national, regional and local transport priorities while working alongside some of the industry's leading planners, economists, engineers, data scientists and technical specialists.

Innovation, Data & Future Mobility

Innovation is also at the heart of what we do. As transport continues to evolve, so does the way we solve problems. You'll have the opportunity to work with advanced analytics, digital tools, data science and emerging technologies to help clients gain deeper insights and make better decisions. Recent examples include the development of the National Public Transport Accessibility Tool (NaPTAT), an innovative GIS and ArcGIS‑based analytics platform capable of measuring public transport accessibility across millions of journey points throughout the UK. It's the kind of work that demonstrates how data, technology and transport planning can come together to solve real‑world challenges and influence future investment decisions.

Growing the Manchester Team

Beyond project delivery, you'll play an important role in growing and strengthening our Manchester transport planning team. You'll provide technical leadership and quality assurance, support the development of business cases, help secure new opportunities through bids and framework commissions, and build trusted relationships with clients and stakeholders. You'll also mentor and develop graduates, consultants and early‑career professionals, sharing your knowledge and helping shape the next generation of transport planners.

Real Influence & Career Growth

This is much more than a technical role. It's an opportunity to influence how cities and regions develop, help deliver better public transport and active travel solutions, support major infrastructure investments and contribute to projects that genuinely improve people's lives. You'll join a collaborative and ambitious team where your ideas will be valued, your expertise will be trusted and your career can continue to grow alongside one of the most respected transport planning businesses in the industry.

Based in our Manchester office, this role offers a flexible hybrid working pattern, typically with two days in the office and three days working from home, giving you the opportunity to collaborate closely with your team while maintaining a healthy work‑life balance.

Here's what you'll need

• A degree or equivalent qualification in Transport Planning, Engineering, Mathematics, Geography, Data Science, Computer Science, Economics, or a related analytical discipline
• Demonstrable experience in transport planning/modelling, including the development, application, and interpretation of transport analysis tools and software, underpinned by a strong understanding of industry standards and best practice.
• Demonstrate a strong client focus, building and maintaining effective relationships, identifying opportunities for growth, and supporting business development, work‑winning, and project delivery activities.
• Experience contributing to proposal writing, bid submissions, and preparing high‑quality technical reports and client‑facing documentation.
• Good understanding of Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG) and related industry guidance

We'd welcome experience from any combination of transport planning, modelling, appraisal, strategy or policy, and are particularly interested in individuals who can bring broader insight from areas such as business case development, sustainable transport, active travel or transport strategy.

Experience working with transport modelling outputs, data analytics or digital tools can be beneficial, as can familiarity with programming or automation tools such as Python, VBA, R or SQL.

If you're Chartered, or working towards professional accreditation, that's great, but we're equally interested in talented individuals with the right skills, experience and potential to make an impact.

Above all, we're looking for people who are curious, collaborative and passionate about helping clients solve complex transport challenges and deliver better outcomes for communities.

At Jacobs, you'll find more than just a job. You'll discover

• A global network of expertise, innovation and opportunity
• A culture founded on safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements that support your wellbeing and professional growth
• Structured career development supported by technical and professional leaders
• The opportunity to work on some of the UK's most significant transport, infrastructure and sustainability projects.

Our Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based progression opportunities.
• Up to 10% employer pension contribution.
• 24 days annual leave, with the option to purchase up to 10 additional days.
• Private medical insurance.
• Income protection insurance.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Professional membership support.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Extensive learning and development opportunities.
• Global giving and volunteering programmes.

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 ourJacobs 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 us 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.