Principal Energy Consultant (Water Sector) - Energy Advisory in Birmingham

At Jacobs, we are challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world’s most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your Impact

Within our Energy Advisory capability, we advise clients on the challenges and opportunities regarding decarbonisation/net‑zero issues specifically in relation to requirements for delivering the global energy transition. This includes decentralised low‑carbon generation, innovation in technologies and energy sources, as well as policy and regulatory support. We are seeking a technical specialist with previous experience working on water sector energy projects to expand our team and grow our service offerings. This pro‑active individual will have design and/or operational experience (technical plus ideally economic and environmental impacts) of modern systems including pump stations, water treatment and recovery plants with a focus on energy efficiency and energy savings.

The successful applicant shall also have strong knowledge of the broader water industry in terms of growth and challenges to decarbonisation, with knowledge on how to support our clients in developing decarbonisation strategies and business case assessment applying energy resources and demands, with a drive to also build‑up the water network in the Energy Advisory team. In your role, you’ll be a key team member in a variety of project roles to ensure delivery of successful outcomes for our clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead technical delivery and be accountable for key tasks and quality data outputs through the project reviewer role.
• Engage with a range of stakeholders at all levels.
• Maintain knowledge of energy/carbon policy developments, energy markets and wider energy/sustainability issues.
• Provide key inputs with respect to energy in the development or review of engineering design throughout the project life‑cycle.
• Deliver energy technology options or energy efficiency appraisals and life cycle cost analysis.
• Implement energy management, energy efficiency, asset reviews and audit surveys, energy demand modelling and prepare low‑carbon energy solutions that are either led by reconfiguring existing operations at sites or developing new strategies.
• Mentor and train colleagues in aspects of the water and energy sectors.

What You’ll Need

You need to enjoy working in a dynamic team environment and, where necessary, use your expertise to guide other members of staff. You’ll also require the ability to lead bid preparation, deliver to tight timescales, be technically accurate and manage a number of schemes simultaneously, either as the lead or as part of a team. Strong verbal and written communication skills, and excellent quantitative and problem‑solving skills are essential as part of this role.

Required Qualifications

• An engineering degree, likely with a focus on energy (Chemical / Mechanical or equivalent process‑related degree).
• Previous engineering experience, including time spent working on water sector projects either in design and/or operation.
• Both site‑based experience working on systems within the sector and experience working within consultancy.
• Strong project management skills, including ability to develop clear work programmes and communicate requirements to other team members.
• Knowledge of current and anticipated environmental, carbon and energy policy and legislation and how this can apply to organisations and projects.
• Strong communication skills, ability to engage with colleagues and clients and provide clear, evidence‑based advice verbally and within written reports and presentations.
• Capable of developing standard engineering deliverables such as heat and mass balances.

Why Jacobs?

People are Jacobs’ greatest asset. We offer a competitive package to retain and attract the best talent. UK employees also receive free single medical cover, digital GP service, family‑friendly benefits such as enhanced parental leave pay and free membership of employee assistance and parental programmes, plus reimbursement towards relevant professional development and memberships. We give back to our communities through our Collectively programme, which incorporates matched‑funding, paid volunteering time and charitable donations. Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role. We value collaboration and believe that in‑person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations, enabling them to deliver their best work.