Innovation Consultant – Sustainable Energy & Infrastructure

Innovation Consultant – Sustainable Energy & Infrastructure; United States; Remote; USD 40,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote flexibility

Meaningful impact

International environment

Professional development

Job summary

PNO Innovation is seeking an Innovation Consultant to join its Healthy and Sustainable Lifestyles and Places team in Spain, focusing on sustainable energy and infrastructure. The role blends engineering insight with European funding expertise to develop ambitious Horizon Europe proposals and support decarbonisation and infrastructure projects across Europe.

The successful candidate collaborates with a multidisciplinary team, translates complex ideas into compelling funding applications, and

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Architecture or a closely related technical discipline.
• 3–5 years of relevant professional experience in innovation consulting or European R&D&I funding.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience developing competitive European funding proposals, particularly within Horizon Europe.
• Technical knowledge in sustainable energy, civil infrastructure, buildings and urban systems, energy efficiency or decarbonisation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and coordinate competitive European R&D&I funding proposals, primarily under Horizon Europe.
• Contribute to projects within Horizon Europe Clusters 4 and 5 and the New European Bauhaus, while supporting cross-sectoral opportunities under Cluster 6 and other European initiatives.
• Translate complex technical concepts and innovation strategies into compelling, well-structured funding applications.
• Advise clients on European funding opportunities, project positioning and proposal development strategies.
• Collaborate with companies, research organisations and international partners to develop strong project concepts and consortia.
• Contribute technical expertise to projects involving sustainable energy, infrastructure, construction, materials and related technologies.
• Identify emerging funding opportunities, including potential applications under the Innovation Fund and Connecting Europe Facility.
• Support business development activities, client relationships and the continued growth of the team's expertise.

Skills

Engineering background

3–5 years experience

European R&D funding experience

Horizon Europe knowledge

Sustainable energy/ infrastructure

Education

Engineering, Architecture or related technical discipline

Job description

Job summary (Short promotional text)

We are looking for an Innovation Consultant to join our Healthy and Sustainable Lifestyles and Places team in Spain, with a particular focus on sustainable energy and infrastructure.

Our team works at the intersection of sustainability, the built environment, materials, communities and innovation. We are now looking to strengthen our expertise in energy, infrastructure and sustainable systems, supporting organisations in developing ambitious European R&D&I projects.

This is an opportunity for a consultant with a technical background and experience in European funding to contribute to meaningful projects while helping shape the team's growing capabilities.

Your mission (What are you going to do in text) summarised down below

Your mission will be to help organisations transform technological and sustainability challenges into competitive European funding proposals, particularly within Horizon Europe.

You will combine technical understanding, proposal development and strategic consulting to support projects addressing sustainable infrastructure, energy efficiency, decarbonisation, innovative materials and the built environment.

Working alongside a multidisciplinary team, you will also contribute to identifying new opportunities and expanding our activities into funding instruments such as the Innovation Fund and Connecting Europe Facility.

Your tasks 1st part (in max 4 bullets)

• Develop and coordinate competitive European R&D&I funding proposals, primarily under Horizon Europe.
• Contribute to projects primarily within Horizon Europe Clusters 4 and 5 and the New European Bauhaus, while supporting relevant cross‑sectoral opportunities under Cluster 6 and other European initiatives.
• Translate complex technical concepts and innovation strategies into compelling, well‑structured funding applications.
• Advise clients on European funding opportunities, project positioning and proposal development strategies.

Your tasks 2nd part (In max 4 bullets)

• Collaborate with companies, research organisations and international partners to develop strong project concepts and consortia.
• Contribute technical expertise to projects involving sustainable energy, infrastructure, construction, materials and related technologies.
• Identify emerging funding opportunities, including potential applications under the Innovation Fund and Connecting Europe Facility.
• Support business development activities, client relationships and the continued growth of the team's expertise.

Your profile 1st part (in max 4 bullets)

• Degree in Engineering, Architecture or a closely related technical discipline.
• Ideally 3–5 years of relevant professional experience in innovation consulting or European R&D&I funding, preferably gained in a consultancy environment. Relevant experience in technology centres or research organisations is also welcome.
• Demonstrated hands‑on experience developing competitive European funding proposals, particularly within Horizon Europe.
• Technical knowledge or professional experience in one or more of the following areas: sustainable energy, civil infrastructure, buildings and urban systems, energy efficiency, decarbonisation or related fields.

Your Profile 2nd part (In max 4 bullets)

• Ability to independently develop substantial sections of funding proposals, coordinate contributions and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong analytical, technical writing and communication skills, with professional proficiency in English. Fluent Spanish is a strong advantage.
• Proactive, collaborative and client‑oriented mindset, with an interest in European innovation ecosystems and emerging funding opportunities such as the Innovation Fund and Connecting Europe Facility.
• Currently residing in Spain, with valid authorisation to work in the country.

Why us? (What do we offer) 1st part (in max 4 bullets)

• Competitive salary: €36,000–€42,000 gross annually, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Remote flexibility: Work remotely from anywhere in Spain, with opportunities for occasional in‑person collaboration with colleagues.
• Meaningful impact: Contribute to European projects addressing sustainability, energy transition and infrastructure challenges.
• International environment: Collaborate with experienced colleagues and specialists across PNO Innovation's European network.

Why us? (What do we offer) 2nd part (in max 4 bullets)

• Professional development: Expand your expertise in European funding, technical consulting and emerging innovation programmes.
• Room to contribute: Join a growing team where your knowledge and ideas can influence its future direction.
• Multidisciplinary collaboration: Work alongside experts in materials, construction, sustainability, community engagement and impact assessment.
• Supportive culture: Become part of a collaborative organisation that values initiative, knowledge sharing and professional growth.

About us

PNO Innovation is the leading innovation and funding consultancy in Europe. With our broad sector expertise, and more than 40 years of experience in national and European grants, we help give space to good ideas and make innovation happen.

PNO Innovation employs more than 600 professionals across offices throughout Europe: Belgium, Germany, France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and the UK. What started more than 40 years ago as a student project in the Netherlands has grown into a European industry leader with a focus on creating sustainable impact.