Technical Director, Environmental Engineer – PFAS Remediation SME

Environmental Resources Management (ERM); Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 156,392 - 200,290; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Parental leave

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life insurance

Disability insurance

AD&D

401(k) or RRSP/DPSP

Other benefits

Job summary

ERM in Irvine, CA seeks a Technical Director for PFAS Site Investigation and Remediation to drive technical excellence and shape global PFAS strategies for major industrial clients. You will guide regulatory interaction, mentor teams, and oversee remediation design across North America and beyond.

Ideal candidate has 8+ years in consulting with PFAS, strong leadership, and certifications (HAZWOPER 40h, OSHA 30h).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in chemical engineering, Environmental Eng., Geology, or Hydrogeology; 8+ years consulting (15+ preferred) with PFAS.
• PFAS expertise demonstrated via publications, conferences, or thought leadership.
• Strong remediation design, regulatory interaction, and client-relations track record.
• Excellent communication, strategic thinking, and leadership.
• HAZWOPPER 40-hour and OSHA 30-hour certifications.

Responsibilities

• Act as SME for PFAS across projects including site investigation, remediation, product stewardship, and compliance.
• Collaborate with North American leadership to shape and execute global PFAS strategies.
• Oversee design and implementation of remedial solutions for soil, groundwater, vapor, and sediment.
• Evaluate remedial technologies for site-specific feasibility and cost-effectiveness.
• Prepare technical proposals, lead business development, and strengthen client partnerships.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to project teams.

Skills

PFAS expertise

Remediation design

Regulatory interaction

Client relations

Leadership

Communication

HAZWOPER & OSHA certs

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in chemical/environmental/geology

Job description

Ready to lead the charge against PFAS contamination? Join ERM and make an impact that matters—locally and globally. Why This Role Matters PFAS contamination is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. As a Technical Director on our Site Investigation and Remediation (SIR) technical team, you’ll be at the forefront of solving complex issues that impact communities, ecosystems, and industries worldwide. This is your opportunity to shape global strategies, influence regulatory frameworks, and deliver innovative solutions that make a tangible difference.

What Your Impact Is

Drive technical excellence and strategic direction for PFAS site investigation and remediation projects across North America and globally. Serve as a trusted advisor to major industrial clients, guiding them through regulatory complexities and risk management. Advance ERM’s reputation as a global leader in environmental consulting by sharing best practices and mentoring the next generation of technical experts.

What You’ll Bring

Required: Bachelor’s or master’s in chemical engineering, Environmental Engineering, Geology, or Hydrogeology. Minimum 8 years of consulting experience (15+ preferred) with significant exposure to complex site investigation/remediation projects. Proven expertise in PFAS, demonstrated through publications, conference presentations, or recognized thought leadership. Strong track record in remediation design, regulatory interaction, and client relationship management. Excellent communication, strategic thinking, and leadership skills. Current Health & Safety certifications (HAZWOPER 40-hour and OSHA 30-hour).

Preferred: Experience developing global go-to-market strategies for emerging contaminants. Familiarity with innovative remedial technologies and their practical application. Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and mentor junior professionals.

Key Responsibilities

Act as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for PFAS across diverse projects, including site investigation, remediation, product stewardship, and compliance. Collaborate with North American leadership to shape and execute global PFAS strategies. Oversee design and implementation of remedial solutions for soil, groundwater, vapor, and sediment contamination using cutting‑edge technologies. Evaluate remedial technologies for site‑specific feasibility and cost‑effectiveness. Prepare technical proposals, lead business development initiatives, and strengthen client partnerships. Provide mentorship and guidance to project teams, ensuring technical excellence and knowledge transfer.

For the Technical Director, Engineer - PFAS SME position, the anticipated annual base pay is $156,392 – $200,290 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 (casual and fixed term/flex force employees are not bonus eligible). We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, AD&D insurance, 401(k) or RRSP/DPSP, and other applicable benefits to eligible employees. Note: Bonuses, commissions, and other forms of additional compensation are not guaranteed and subject to the sole discretion of ERM and its policies and procedures.

• paid time off
• parental leave
• medical
• dental
• vision
• life
• disability
• AD&D insurance
• 401(k) or RRSP/DPSP
• other applicable benefits to eligible employees

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.

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.

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