Wanted: Principal Coastal Scientist in Southampton

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices. We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual.

About the business unit: We help conceive, drive, and implement transport solutions for cities, regions, and asset owners/operators around the globe. From preparing the business case and advising on related issues - such as revenue, procurement, and environmental legislation - to delivering the completed infrastructure and helping maintain it. Our planning, engineering, environmental and management skills cover the whole project cycle.

Overview of the role: Mott MacDonald is one of the global leaders advising a broad range of clients in the planning, design and construction of coastal and offshore infrastructure across an array of size and type. This extends to all stages in the project cycle, from developing innovative coastal erosion business cases and feasibility studies to structural defences and environmental enhancements, and then onto construction supervision. We strive to ensure we provide our clients with the most sustainable solutions, with the UN Sustainable Development Goals forming the heart of what we do.

As a key member of the Ports, Coastal and Offshore (PCO) team, you will influence the success of our projects by contributing to outcomes which exceed our clients’ expectations. We are seeking an experienced and motivated Principal Coastal Scientist to lead projects focused on coastal resilience, climate adaptation and marine ecosystem management. The successful candidate will bring expertise in coastal processes, shoreline management and evidence‑based decision‑making to guide multidisciplinary teams and inform policy and business case efforts.

The ideal candidate will play a key role in supporting the leadership and future direction of the coastal team, providing mentorship to more junior members of the team and supporting business development and bidding as well as providing technical leadership and project management of deliverables.

• Master’s degree in Coastal Science, Oceanography, or related field
• Experience in Coastal Management in a Consultancy environment
• Demonstrated project leadership
• Strong written communication skills and are comfortable writing reports and delivering presentations
• Familiarity with climate adaptation planning and policy
• Experience in business development, including client liaison and bid preparation
• Chartered with a relevant professional institution such as CIWEM (or equivalent working experience)
• Proficiency in GIS, knowledge/ experience of remote sensing, and coastal modelling tools (e.g., Delft3D, SWAN, ADCIRC) advantageous

Due to the nature of our work, you may be required to travel overseas for project assignments when required. With your project management skills and experience you are comfortable networking and collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams for project delivery and enjoy building relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute. As we want the best people for the role, it is available as part time, job share or full time.

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well‑being, flexibility, and trust.

Accessibility: We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

• Health and wellbeing: Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues. Health cash plan to support you with everyday health costs and treatments. Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues. A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Financial wellbeing: We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%. Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary. Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Lifestyle: A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme. Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Learning and development: Primary annual professional institution subscription. A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self‑development options.