Principal Consultant, Engineer or Scientist- Sustainable Operations

Environmental Resources Management Southwest, Inc.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

ERM in Houston, TX seeks a Principal Consultant, Engineer or Scientist to lead EHS compliance strategies for industrial clients across Texas and the Gulf region. You will drive regulatory compliance, win new business, and mentor staff while advancing ERM's sustainability agenda.

As a senior leader, you will manage complex projects in Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, and Manufacturing sectors, shape strategic directions, and strengthen client relationships to expand ERM's Texas market presence.

Qualifications

• 6+ years in environmental/compliance consulting.
• Experience in business development for environmental/regulatory contracts.
• Strong proposal development and client-facing skills.
• Regulatory experience with RCRA, NPDES, EPCRA, SPCC.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for expanding ERM's EHS compliance area in Texas market.
• Identify opportunities, prepare effective technical proposals, and take an active leadership role in developing new business with new and existing clients.
• Develop and expand client relationships that generate repeat business.
• Direct strategic environmental permits/inspection and compliance assurance programs for a variety of industrial clients.
• Work closely with clients and develop strong relationships to understand processes and develop permitting and compliance strategy.
• Achieve client expectations for scope, budget, schedule, and quality.
• Serve as a senior technical resource on EHS compliance assurance and permitting programs.
• Review plans, permits, and inspection documentation prior to submittal to clients and/or agencies.
• Capitalize on existing client relationships to expand ERM's profile and market share in regional environmental compliance markets.
• Mentor junior and mid-level staff in planning and execution of compliance projects and in conducting independent technical reviews.

Skills

Environmental compliance

Business development

Client relationship management

Regulatory knowledge (RCRA NPDES EPCRA

Strategic leadership

Education

BS/MS in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Environmental)

Environmental Science or related degree

Job description

Lead Complex EHS Strategies. Grow Key Client Relationships. Shape the Future of Sustainable Operations. ERM is seeking a Principal Consultant, Engineer or Scientist to join our Safe and Sustainable Operations team in Houston, TX. In this strategic leadership role, you will help industrial clients navigate complex environmental compliance challenges while driving business growth and strengthening ERM's presence across Texas, the Gulf region, and beyond. Working with leading organizations in the Oil & Gas, Petrochemical/Chemical, Manufacturing, and Technology sectors, you will influence operational performance, regulatory compliance, and long-term sustainability outcomes while contributing to ERM's global strategy and technical community.

Why This Role Matters

In this role, you will play a critical role in helping organizations manage environmental compliance risks, maintain operational flexibility, and achieve sustainable business outcomes. Your expertise will directly influence client success while helping expand ERM's environmental compliance practice throughout Texas and the Southeast United States. This is an opportunity to combine strategic leadership, technical excellence, client relationship management, and business development within a globally recognized environmental consulting organization.

What Your Impact Is

Drive the growth and strategic direction of ERM's Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) compliance services throughout Texas and the Gulf region. Build and strengthen trusted relationships with industrial clients facing complex environmental and regulatory challenges. Lead high-profile compliance assurance, permitting, management systems, and auditing projects that support operational excellence and regulatory compliance. Expand ERM's market presence by identifying new opportunities and developing long-term client partnerships. Mentor the next generation of environmental consultants while contributing to ERM's global network of technical experts. Deliver innovative, practical compliance strategies that help clients achieve business objectives while maintaining environmental stewardship.

What You'll Bring

Required BS/MS in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Environmental), Environmental Science, or related degree, or equivalent experience. 6+ years (8+ years preferred) of relevant experience in environmental/compliance consulting. Well-established reputation and recognized technical expertise in the marketplace. Proven experience in business development for environmental/regulatory compliance contracts, with the ability to contribute to ERM's annual sales goals. Consulting experience working with RCRA, NPDES, EPCRA, SPCC, and other environmental regulations. Excellent communication (written and verbal), strategic thinking, negotiation, presentation, and interpersonal skills. Established relationships with regulatory authorities and large private-sector industrial companies in Texas and the Southeast United States. Positive outlook, collaborative approach, and commitment to the success of ERM as a global organization.

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.

Preferred

12+ years of relevant experience in environmental/compliance consulting. Professional Engineer (PE) license.

Key Responsibilities

Provide leadership and strategic direction for expanding ERM's EHS compliance area and client base in the Texas market. Identify and develop new opportunities, prepare effective technical proposals, and take an active leadership role in developing new business with new and existing clients. Develop and expand client relationships that generate repeat business. Direct strategic environmental permits/inspection and compliance assurance programs for a variety of industrial clients with complex technical and regulatory issues. Work closely with clients and develop strong relationships to understand specific processes and develop a permitting and compliance strategy to help clients maintain maximum operating flexibility. Achieve client expectations for scope, budget, schedule, and quality. Serve as a senior technical resource on EHS compliance assurance and permitting programs. Review plans, permits, and inspection documentation prior to submittal to clients and/or agencies. Capitalize on existing client relationships to expand ERM's profile and market share in regional environmental compliance markets through a combination of technical excellence and business development. Mentor junior and mid-level staff in the planning and execution of compliance projects and in conducting independent technical reviews of deliverable work products. Support the growth and development of ERM's global management systems, compliance, and auditing services. Collaborate with ERM practitioners worldwide to execute compliance and auditing projects, including participation on multidisciplinary teams across multiple offices and regions. Network with ERM's national compliance and auditing technical teams to share consulting opportunities, business relationships, and best practices that address client needs.

Who We Are

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.

Thank you for your interest in ERM! #LI-Hybrid

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 & 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.