Transport Planner - Senior or Principal, Manchester

Jacobs; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible & hybrid working

Extensive learning & development

Global opportunity & network

Private pension contribution

Wellbeing & safety culture

Job summary

Jacobs in Manchester seeks a Senior or Principal Transport Planner to lead complex transport modelling and multi-modal projects. You will shape strategies, advise on investment decisions and guide a growing team through innovative analytics and digital tools.

The role blends technical delivery with strategic leadership, client engagement and knowledge sharing across the transport planning portfolio.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of transport modelling principles and industry best practice.
• Experience developing and applying transport models from first principles.
• Ability to lead complex transport planning projects and provide technical guidance.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, calibration, validation and application of strategic and multi-modal transport models.
• Deliver complex transport planning projects from conception to completion.
• Provide technical leadership and quality assurance across project teams.
• Support development of robust business cases and investment decisions.
• Mentor graduate, assistant and consultant-level team members.

Skills

Transport modelling

Strategic thinking

Project leadership

Multi-modal planning

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree in Transport Planning or related

Tools

PTV VISUM

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

As our transport planning business continues to grow across the North West, we have got an opening for a talented Senior or Principal Transport Planner to join our expanding Manchester team.

We're looking for a Transport Planner who combines technical excellence with strategic thinking and a passion for delivering positive outcomes for clients, communities and the environment.

You’ll bring strong experience in transport planning and modelling, using your expertise to solve complex challenges, shape investment decisions and support the delivery of sustainable transport solutions.

With a sound understanding of transport modelling, appraisal and business case development, you’ll provide robust, evidence-based insights that help clients make informed decisions and progress major infrastructure, active travel and future mobility schemes.

As a trusted professional, you’ll lead the delivery of complex projects, providing technical guidance, quality assurance and practical solutions while effectively managing programmes, stakeholders and client relationships.

Your analytical mindset and commercial awareness will help ensure successful outcomes across a diverse portfolio of work.

Just as importantly, you’ll contribute to the growth of our Manchester transport planning team. Through mentoring and developing colleagues, sharing knowledge and embracing innovation in digital tools, data analytics and emerging technologies, you’ll help strengthen our capability and continue building a culture of collaboration, technical excellence and continuous improvement.

In this role, you'll

• Lead the development, calibration, validation and application of strategic, multi-modal, mesoscopic and microsimulation transport models.
• Deliver complex transport planning and modelling projects from conception through to successful completion.
• Provide technical leadership, guidance and quality assurance across project teams.
• Apply and interpret Department for Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG) and wider industry best practice.
• Review and approve technical reports, modelling outputs and key project deliverables.
• Drive innovation through the use of advanced analytics, digital tools, data science and emerging transport technologies.
• Support the development of business cases that secure investment and influence strategic decision‑making.
• Contribute to the planning and appraisal of active travel, sustainable transport and multi‑modal schemes.
• Manage programmes, budgets, resources and commercial performance to ensure successful project outcomes.
• Lead technical input to bids, tenders and framework opportunities.
• Develop trusted relationships with clients, stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams.
• Mentor and support the development of graduate, assistant and consultant‑level team members.

This is more than a technical role. It's an opportunity to shape the future of transport, influence investment decisions, and help create sustainable, connected communities that improve people's lives.

If this sounds like your next step, we’d love to hear from you.

This opportunity is based in Manchester office and will require 2 day office/ 3 days home hybrid work.

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
• Strong understanding of transport modelling principles, methodologies and industry best practice
• Experience developing, calibrating, validating and applying transport models from first principles
• Experience using PTV VISUM and/or other transport modelling platforms
• Knowledge of transport appraisal and business case development
• Good understanding of Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG) and related industry guidance

Desirable experience would include exposure to strategic, mesoscopic or microsimulation modelling platforms such as VISUM, VISSIM, SATURN, EMME or Cube, alongside experience in business case development, economic appraisal, active travel and sustainable transport projects.

Knowledge of Local Transport Plans, route strategies, transport policy development, or programming and automation tools such as Python, VBA, R or SQL would also be advantageous.

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 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.