Principal Consultant, Air Quality

ERM; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 128,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Parental leave

Medical, dental, vision

Life and disability insurance

401(k)

Flexible benefits

Job summary

ERM’s Principal Consultant, Air Quality role in Illinois offers a path to influence major industrial projects, steer regulatory strategies, and grow a Midwest footprint. You will lead high‑value air quality programs, manage complex permitting, and mentor junior staff while delivering innovative solutions.

The ideal candidate has 6+ years in air quality consulting, a bachelor’s in environmental science or engineering, and a proven seller/doer record with strong leadership and client

Qualifications

• 6+ years of air quality consulting with deep technical knowledge in emission inventories and regulatory topics.
• Proven seller/doer track record with success in winning strategic projects.
• Strong project management skills and leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic plans to grow ERM’s air quality services.
• Lead complex air permitting and compliance programs for industrial clients.
• Mentor junior staff and collaborate across global teams.

Skills

6+ years air quality consulting

seller/doer track record

project management

regulatory expertise (federal/state)

strong communication

leadership/mentoring

driving license travel ability

not eligible for immigration sponsor

Education

Bachelor’s degree in environmental science or engineering

Master’s degree in environmental science or engineering

Job description

Lead the Future of Air Quality Consulting

Are you ready to shape the environmental strategies of industry leaders? At ERM, we’re not just solving compliance challenges—we’re driving innovation in air quality and climate change solutions. This is your chance to join a global powerhouse, influence high-profile projects, and take your career to the next level with a partner-track opportunity.

Why This Role Matters

ERM’s Air Quality & Climate Change service area is one of the largest and fastest growing in the industry, generating over $50M annually. As a Principal Consultant, Air Quality based in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, or Minnesota, you’ll play a pivotal role in expanding our footprint in the Midwest, partnering with major players in Industrial sectors within the Great Lakes area. Your leadership will directly impact ERM’s global strategy and help clients navigate complex regulatory landscapes while advancing sustainability goals.

What Your Impact Is

Drive strategic growth for ERM’s air quality services. Lead high-value projects that shape environmental compliance and climate adaptation. Build lasting client relationships and deliver innovative solutions that exceed expectations. Mentor and inspire the next generation of air quality professionals.

What You’ll Bring

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in environmental science or engineering (chemical, environmental, mechanical) or related field.
• 6+ years of air quality consulting experience with technical depth in air emission inventories, Title V, PSD, NSR, BACT, and MACT.
• Proven “seller/doer” track record with success in winning strategic projects.
• Strong project management skills (scope, budget, schedule).
• Recognized expert in federal and state air regulations.
• Negotiation experience with regulatory agencies.
• Exceptional communication, strategic thinking, and leadership skills.
• Driver's License Required: This position requires a valid driver's license and/or the ability to operate a company vehicle due to the nature of job duties, which include frequent travel to various client locations across a large geographical area.
• This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in environmental science or engineering (chemical, environmental, mechanical) or related field.
• Professional certifications (P.E., CSP, CHMM, or similar).
• Expertise in air dispersion modeling, storm water, SPCC, RMP/PSM, CEQA permitting, multi-media auditing.
• Familiarity with stack testing and ambient air measurement.
• Established relationships within Industrial sectors in the Great Lakes area.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic market plans to grow ERM’s air quality services.
• Lead complex air permitting and compliance programs for industrial clients.
• Serve as a trusted advisor, ensuring clients maintain maximum operating flexibility.
• Manage project deliverables, budgets, and schedules with precision.
• Expand ERM’s profile through technical excellence and business development.
• Mentor junior and mid-level staff, fostering technical and leadership growth.
• Collaborate globally to deliver innovative air quality solutions.
• Support cross-selling of ERM’s broader service offerings.

Compensation and Benefits

For the Principal Consultant, Air Quality position, the anticipated annual base pay is $127,600–$163,100 (USD). Actual pay will depend on factors such as education, experience, skills, location, performance, and business needs. In some cases, pay may fall outside this range. This role may be eligible for bonus pay subject to the sole discretion of ERM and its policies and procedures (casual and fixed term/flex force employees are not bonus eligible).

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off (vacation, sick, and floating holidays), parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, AD&D insurance, 401(k), and other applicable benefits to eligible employees.

About Us

As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations. At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world‑class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our “boots to boardroom” approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.

ERM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Additional Information

At ERM, sustainability is our business. We are the world’s largest advisory firm focused solely on sustainability, offering unparalleled expertise across business and finance. ERM partners with clients to operationalize sustainability at pace and scale, through our unique combination of strategic transformation and technical delivery capabilities. Our diverse global team of experts works with the world’s leading organizations to help them set clear sustainability targets, measure progress and operationalize strategy through deep implementation and business transformation. With more than 50 years of experience, our ability to integrate sustainability solutions and our depth and breadth of technical knowledge are why organizations choose to partner with us as their trusted advisor. Every one of us firmly believes in the potential to create value for our clients through an integrated approach to sustainability (because we have personally seen it and professionally achieved it). Our team members are passionate about client service. We work closely with our clients to help them operationalize their sustainability goals and meet their environmental, health and safety objectives while advancing ERM’s purpose through delivering tangible progress in what the United Nations coined The Decade of Action. Organizing our people across globally integrated communities of technical and strategic talent positions ERM to be a “boots to boardroom” leader in bringing that value creation to our clients, partners, and the world. We recruit exceptional professionals with a personal and professional passion for sustainability and nurture them to even greater success as specialists. We prepare our consultants to bring integrated, innovative and sustainable solutions to our clients and provide opportunities for ongoing development across a variety of subject areas related to technical, business, and personal growth. At ERM, effort pays off and becomes career defining work that leaves a positive imprint on our planet.