Principal Environmental Consultant

Principal Environmental Consultant

Location: Irvine, CA | Type: Full-time | Base Salary: $175,000–$225,000 + annual performance bonus

About the Role

Lead complex environmental assessment and remediation projects while growing a consulting practice across Southern California. Reporting to the Regional Director, you will guide key client initiatives, uphold technical excellence and sound risk management, and partner with regulators, clients, and internal teams to deliver practical solutions to challenging environmental and business problems.

What You'll Do

Grow the Business

• Build and execute a Southern California growth strategy, including client engagement, proposals, market analysis, and cross-selling.
• Generate $400K in new revenue in year 1, growing to over $1M within 3 years.

Lead Projects

• Manage environmental due diligence, investigation, and remediation projects from start to finish.
• Ensure quality, technical rigor, and regulatory compliance.

Develop People and Presence

• Guide and mentor project teams.
• Help recruit, train, and develop a high-performing regional team.
• Represent the firm through conference presentations, technical papers, and industry committees.

Run the Operation

• Ensure regional safety compliance.
• Support billing and collection goals.

What You Bring

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering, Geology, Hydrogeology, or a related field
• Master's degree or higher preferred

Experience

• 10+ years as an engineer, geologist, or hydrogeologist on environmental investigation and remediation projects
• Proven business development success in environmental consulting
• Track record leading multidisciplinary teams and managing budgets and schedules
• California PE or PG license preferred

Skills and Strengths

• Strong client management and long-term relationship building
• Solid knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations
• Ability to review and edit technical reports to meet scope, quality, and client expectations
• Clear written and verbal communication with clients, subconsultants, regulators, and the public
• Ability to lead multiple project teams, with strong time management and attention to detail
• Commitment to mentoring others and continued growth
• Valid driver's license

Work Environment and Travel

Physical Requirements

• Fast-paced setting with high workload and frequent short deadlines
• Ability to obtain medical clearance for hazardous waste sites
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs and to sit or stand for extended periods

Travel

• Occasional travel (up to 20%), possibly overnight, for client meetings and site visits

Compensation and Benefits

Pay

• Base salary of $175,000–$225,000, based on skills, experience, qualifications, and location
• Annual performance bonus based on individual and company results

Benefits

• Employee-owned culture with a focus on work/life balance
• Career advancement and training opportunities
• Employee stock ownership plan and 401(k) profit-sharing
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage