Lead Transmission Siting and Permitting Project Manager

WSP in the U.S.; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Retirement savings

Paid sick leave

Paid vacation

Parental leave

Bereavement/personal time

Job summary

WSP seeks a Lead Transmission Siting and Permitting Project Manager to support a growing portfolio of energy projects across PA/NJ/MD offices. The role blends hands-on routing and environmental permitting with project leadership and multidisciplinary coordination.

The ideal candidate will have 10+ years in environmental permitting for energy infrastructure, strong leadership, and the ability to mentor staff while supporting business development and client relationships.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental fields or related, or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of experience in environmental permitting and planning for energy infrastructure.
• Ability to lead project teams and work independently.
• Strong communication with clients, agencies, and colleagues at all levels.
• Experience with proposals, presentations, and pricing structures.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; defining client requirements.
• Commitment to workplace safety and compliance with policies.
• Willingness to travel occasionally based on project requirements.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a siting and environmental permitting SME for electric transmission, substations, and renewable energy projects.
• Manage routing and siting studies and related technical reports.
• Provide technical oversight for environmental permitting across project phases.
• Develop public involvement strategies, including open houses, meetings, and hearings.
• Apply professional judgment to evaluate data and regulatory requirements to develop defensible solutions.
• Coordinate with state agencies and decision-makers across regulatory frameworks.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Regulatory knowledge

Client relations

Environmental permitting

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental studies or related field

Job description

This Opportunity

WSP is seeking a Lead Transmission Siting and Permitting Project Manager for any of our Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Maryland offices to support a growing portfolio of electric transmission, substation, and renewable energy development projects within our Earth & Environment Team.

This role is ideal for an experienced professional who wants to remain technically engaged while also leading projects and guiding teams through complex, regulatory‑driven work. The position combines hands‑on responsibility for routing, siting, and environmental permitting with project management, multidisciplinary coordination, and mentorship.

The successful candidate will play a key role in:

• Managing and delivering technically complex siting and permitting projects for energy infrastructure
• Serving as a Project Manager or Task Leader on transmission and renewable energy assignments
• Coordinating multidisciplinary teams
• Supporting client relationships, proposal efforts, and business development activities
• Providing leadership and mentorship to junior and mid‑level staff
• Contributing to the continued growth and strength of WSP’s transmission siting and permitting practice

This is an excellent opportunity for a professional who is ready to step into or expand a leadership role while staying closely connected to technical work, client interaction, and thoughtful collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

Technical & Regulatory Responsibilities

• Serve as a siting and environmental permitting subject matter expert for electric transmission, substations, and renewable energy projects
• Manage and direct routing and siting studies, analyses, and associated technical reports
• Provide technical oversight for environmental permitting and planning activities across multiple project phases
• Develop strategies for public involvement programs, including participation in open houses, public meetings, and public hearings
• Apply critical thinking and professional judgment to evaluate field observations, technical data, and regulatory requirements to develop defensible solutions
• Maintain familiarity with applicable state and regional regulatory frameworks, including coordination with state agency personnel and decision‑makers

Project Management & Team Leadership Responsibilities

• Serve as Project Manager or Task Leader, managing multiple projects at different stages, sizes, and locations
• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary project teams, which may include engineers, planners, environmental scientists, permitting specialists, attorneys, and real estate professionals
• Provide clear direction, oversight, and support to team members to ensure high‑quality, timely deliverables
• Mentor junior and mid‑level staff, supporting their professional development and growth through coaching, review, and knowledge sharing
• Support business development efforts, including maintaining client relationships, contributing to proposal strategies, and leading proposal preparation and pricing
• Ensure adherence to quality standards, project budgets, schedules, and WSP policies and procedures
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision‑making related to company resources, conduct, and client commitments, in alignment with WSP’s Code of Conduct

Who You Are

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, biology, natural sciences or ecology, environmental planning, environmental science, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• 10+ years of experience managing environmental permitting and planning projects for energy‑related infrastructure
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while providing leadership and guidance to project teams
• Strong leadership and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively and professionally with clients, agencies, and colleagues at all levels
• Experience preparing proposals, presentations, and project pricing structures
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including defining and managing client requirements and expectations
• Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information and reach sound technical conclusions
• Proven commitment to workplace safety and compliance with WSP’s health, safety, and conduct policies
• Flexibility to meet changing business needs and willingness to travel occasionally based on project requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in environmental or natural sciences, environmental planning, or a related discipline
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or other relevant professional certifications
• Experience with contract negotiations and contract management
• Experience preparing or supporting expert witness testimony

WSP Benefits

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.

• Coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life
• Retirement savings
• Paid sick leave
• Paid vacation (or other personal time)
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings

Compensation

• Expected Salary range for this role (all locations): $140,000- $200,000

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

About WSP

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.

www.wsp.com

WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.

At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges.

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.

The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.