Air Quality Engineer / Scientist

TRC Companies, Inc. • Houston, TX

21h

About The Position

TRC, Member of WSP, is hiring an Air Quality Project Manager to support air permitting and regulatory compliance projects for clients in Texas and neighboring states. The role is intended for someone with a strong technical background and 8–15 years of air quality experience. It combines project management—approximately 25–50% of the role—with technical permitting and compliance work, including air dispersion modeling support, emissions calculations, regulatory analysis, and air permitting. The candidate will work with air quality consultants and modeling specialists on complex environmental projects across power, oil and gas, petrochemical, manufacturing, and energy sectors.

The position involves preparing technical reports and air permit applications, managing multiple concurrent projects and schedules, and coordinating with engineers, scientists, meteorologists, and permitting specialists. The successful candidate will help clients address complex permitting needs, facilitate client and agency discussions, and take on more meeting leadership as experience grows. Over the first one to two years, the candidate is expected to independently prepare Texas PBR, NSR, and Title V applications; meet client needs and timelines; support PSD and NSR projects; become a trusted technical resource; and continue developing modeling, permitting, and project management capabilities.

TRC describes opportunities to work with recognized air quality and modeling experts, develop advanced modeling and permitting expertise, and support challenging projects across industrial sectors. The company offers training and development, and compensation may include eligibility for an annual discretionary bonus based on company, business segment, and individual performance. The listed salary range is USD $132,080–$150,000 per year.

Requirements

• 8–15 years of experience in air quality permitting and regulatory compliance.
• More than 5 years of related air quality experience preparing air permit applications for facilities in Texas.
• Experience with emissions calculations, regulatory analysis, and air dispersion modeling.
• Significant knowledge of Texas air permitting regulations.
• Extensive understanding of Texas and federal air quality regulations and policies as they relate to oil and gas and power generation.
• Knowledge of AERMOD, CALPUFF, screening models, and related regulatory tools as they apply to air permit applications; executing air dispersion modeling is not required.
• Strong analytical and quantitative problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Bachelor’s degree in Atmospheric Science, Meteorology, Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related technical discipline.
• Ability to support multiple concurrent projects and maintain project schedules.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with regulations in one or more states beyond Texas.
• Experience in oil refining, chemical, pharmaceutical, or automobile manufacturing industries.
• Experience supporting PSD modeling projects.
• Familiarity with TCEQ permitting programs.
• Texas professional engineering licensure.
• EIT certification or ability to obtain it.
• Experience in power generation, oil and gas, LNG, chemical manufacturing, or industrial permitting.

Responsibilities

• Prepare Texas air permit applications, including NSR permits, PSD permits, Title V permits, Permit by Rule authorizations, and Standard Permits.
• Prepare technical reports and air permit applications containing process descriptions, regulatory analyses, emissions calculations, and supporting information.
• Support air permitting and regulatory compliance projects for clients in Texas and neighboring states.
• Apply knowledge of air dispersion modeling programs and regulatory tools, including AERMOD, CALPUFF, and screening models, in preparing permit applications.
• Provide solutions to clients’ complex air quality projects.
• Support multiple concurrent projects and maintain project schedules for industrial clients.
• Coordinate with engineers, scientists, meteorologists, and permitting specialists.
• Facilitate client meetings, agency discussions, and project planning activities, and lead meetings as experience grows.
• Meet with clients to understand their needs and execute projects on the client’s timeline.
• Support PSD and NSR permitting projects across Texas.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance.
• 401(k) package with traditional and Roth options and company match.
• Paid time off ranging from 15 to 25 days per year, depending on full-time or part-time status and seniority.
• At least 8 paid holidays per year for full-time employees.
• Paid sick, family, and disability leave in accordance with the laws of the employee’s state of residence.
• Potential eligibility for the annual Discretionary Bonus Program, contingent on company, business segment, and individual performance.
• Training and development of new skills and certifications.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior