Senior Ambient Air Quality Lead & Regulatory Expert

Sigma Earth; United States; Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Sigma Earth seeks a senior ambient air quality specialist to lead and direct monitoring programs, data analyses, and regulatory support across projects in the United States. The role requires guiding multidisciplinary teams and coordinating with clients and regulators to ensure defensible air quality conclusions.

You will develop and review QAPPs, SOPs, and monitoring designs, interpret complex results, and support health and environmental risk assessments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental engineering, environmental science, atmospheric science, chemistry, or a related discipline.
• At least 8 years of relevant experience in ambient air quality, air monitoring, or air quality assessment.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license.
• U.S. citizenship is required for this role.
• Master’s degree or Ph.D. preferred in a relevant field.

Responsibilities

• Lead ambient air quality programs, including design, deployment, operation, and interpretation of monitoring networks.
• Provide technical direction for ambient air monitoring plans, QAPPs, and standard operating procedures.
• Manage and analyze ambient air quality data to support regulatory compliance, permitting, planning, and health or environmental risk assessments.
• Support analyses related to NAAQS, SIPs, attainment demonstrations, conformity, and other regulatory evaluations.
• Oversee or assist with air dispersion modeling and related assessments of ambient air impacts.
• Act as a technical advisor during regulatory reviews, agency coordination, and public engagement activities.
• Lead or support project planning, scope definition, scheduling, and budget oversight.
• Convert complex technical results into clear, well-supported conclusions for clients, regulators, and public audiences.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Regulatory Compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental engineering, environmental science, atmospheric science, chemistry, or related discipline

Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a relevant field

Job description

Role

• Lead ambient air quality programs, including the design, deployment, operation, and interpretation of monitoring networks.
• Provide technical direction for ambient air monitoring plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs), and standard operating procedures.
• Manage and analyze ambient air quality data to support regulatory compliance, permitting, planning, and health or environmental risk assessments.
• Support analyses related to NAAQS, State Implementation Plans, attainment demonstrations, conformity, and other regulatory evaluations.
• Oversee or assist with air dispersion modeling and related assessments of ambient air impacts.
• Act as a technical advisor during regulatory reviews, agency coordination, and public engagement activities.

Client & Program Management

• Serve as a key technical contact for clients on ambient air quality issues.
• Lead or support project planning, scope definition, scheduling, and budget oversight.
• Convert complex technical results into clear, well-supported conclusions for clients, regulators, and public audiences.
• Assist with proposal preparation and technical scoping for air monitoring and ambient air quality projects.

Leadership & Mentorship

• Guide junior and mid-level staff, review their work, and ensure technical accuracy and regulatory defensibility.
• Help develop internal best practices, methodologies, and technical guidance.
• Work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including air permitting, EHS, environmental planning, and health sciences, to provide integrated solutions.

About the Team

• Join AECOM’s global environmental practice, supported by a strong internal technical network that encourages collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Be part of a leading environmental business known for technical excellence, advanced science, and innovative project delivery.
• Contribute to sustainable solutions for complex environmental challenges across a wide range of industries and geographies.
• Grow professionally in an environment that supports individual development and continuous learning.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering, environmental science, atmospheric science, chemistry, or a related discipline.
• At least 8 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, in ambient air quality, air monitoring, or air quality assessment.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license.
• U.S. citizenship is required for this role.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a relevant field.
• 15+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent education and experience, in ambient air quality, air monitoring, or air quality assessment.
• Professional certifications such as PE, Certified Air Quality Professional, or similar credentials are strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of the Clean Air Act, NAAQS, monitoring regulations such as 40 CFR Parts 50, 53, and 58, and state air programs.
• Experience working with state or local air agencies, transportation agencies, or major infrastructure projects.
• Familiarity with emerging air quality issues and both regulatory and non-regulatory modeling methods.
• Experience supporting public meetings, stakeholder engagement, or expert testimony.
• Demonstrated background in developing and implementing ambient air monitoring programs and evaluating air quality data.
• Prior consulting experience managing multiple clients and projects is highly desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including technical report writing and presentations.