Principal Project Manager - Energy Permitting

SWCA Environmental Consultants•Bridgeville, DE

1d•$110,292 - $145,236•Hybrid

About The Position

SWCA Environmental Consultants is hiring a Principal Project Manager to lead energy permitting work for energy development and infrastructure projects across the Midwest/Northeast (MWNE) subregion. The role leads multidisciplinary teams through environmental review, permitting, and compliance; provides strategic regulatory guidance; manages technical quality and project delivery; and builds client and agency relationships. It also supports business development, practice growth, staff mentorship, and SWCA’s strategic planning. The position is hybrid-eligible from the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania office and may involve up to 20% regional travel, as well as other domestic work-related travel. The successful candidate will lead permitting for energy generation, transmission, storage, and related infrastructure; develop permitting strategies and technical documentation; assess regulatory risks and project constraints; coordinate with agencies, Tribal representatives, clients, and stakeholders; and guide project schedules, budgets, scopes, and compliance commitments. This is a full-time, regular, salaried/exempt position with benefits. The expected pay range is $110,292 to $145,236 per year, and eligible employees may also receive performance-based bonuses.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, Environmental Engineering, Planning, Natural Resources, or a related field; knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor’s degree.
At least 10 years of relevant environmental permitting, compliance, or natural resources consulting experience, including at least 5 years managing complex projects.
Experience leading federal, state, Tribal, and local environmental permitting for energy, infrastructure, or development projects.
Working knowledge of applicable environmental regulations and permitting frameworks, including environmental review, agency consultation, and permitting processes.
Experience coordinating with regulatory agencies, clients, stakeholders, and multidisciplinary project teams.
Experience managing complex projects, schedules, budgets, forecasting, and invoicing.
Client management and business development experience in a seller-doer environment.
Strong leadership, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
Valid driver’s license and ability to meet SWCA’s driver requirements.
Ability to obtain and maintain valid travel documents and identification required for work-related travel.
Commitment to driving compliance with safety policies and reporting requirements.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, Environmental Engineering, Planning, Natural Resources, or a related field.
Twelve or more years of relevant experience, including seven or more years managing projects.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or similar credential.
Experience leading permitting for renewable energy, electric transmission, battery energy storage, or other energy infrastructure projects.
Experience navigating complex federal and state permitting processes and coordinating with multiple regulatory agencies.
Experience developing permitting strategies, regulatory risk assessments, and environmental compliance programs.
Established relationships with energy clients, regulatory agencies, and industry stakeholders in the MWNE region.
Experience supporting business development, proposal development, and strategic client growth initiatives.

Responsibilities

Lead federal, state, Tribal, and local environmental permitting efforts for energy generation, transmission, storage, and related infrastructure projects in the MWNE subregion.
Develop permitting strategies and prepare or oversee technical documentation for environmental reviews, permit applications, agency consultations, and regulatory approvals.
Provide technical leadership and regulatory guidance on environmental regulations and permitting frameworks.
Coordinate with regulatory and resource agencies, Tribal representatives, clients, stakeholders, and multidisciplinary teams to support approvals and compliance.
Evaluate regulatory risks, environmental constraints, permitting pathways, and project schedules to support planning, feasibility, and execution.
Lead multidisciplinary teams in implementing permitting strategies that balance client objectives, environmental stewardship, and regulatory requirements.
Manage project technical approaches, quality assurance and quality control, milestones, risks, scopes, schedules, budgets, forecasting, and invoicing.
Build client and agency relationships and support business development through opportunity identification, proposals, and client growth.
Support growth of SWCA’s energy permitting practice through technical leadership, industry engagement, mentorship, and cross-business-line collaboration.
Mentor and coach staff, foster team development and cross-training, and develop specialized programs and protocols.
Contribute to SWCA’s strategic planning and develop methods and standards that advance technical quality and efficiency.
Promote SWCA’s Safety Culture and drive compliance with safety policies and reporting requirements.
Follow applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
Perform related work as assigned.