Principal Project Manager - Energy Permitting

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Principal Project Manager - Energy Permitting to support our growing portfolio of energy development and infrastructure projects across the Midwest/Northeast (MWNE) subregion. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for a seasoned project manager who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and is passionate about leading complex permitting efforts, delivering technical excellence, building strong client relationships, and mentoring high-performing teams.

In this role, you will lead multidisciplinary teams supporting energy projects through all phases of environmental review, permitting, and compliance. You will provide strategic guidance on federal, state, and local permitting requirements while partnering with clients to navigate complex regulatory processes and advance critical energy infrastructure initiatives. You will also play a key role in shaping project strategy, supporting business development efforts, and strengthening SWCA's reputation as a trusted partner in the energy sector.

Depending on project needs, this position may require up to 20% travel throughout the MWNE subregion to support client engagement, agency coordination, project oversight, and team collaboration. You will work closely with clients, regulatory agencies, SWCA leadership, and multidisciplinary technical teams to guide project delivery, ensure permit compliance and technical quality, and support successful project outcomes. This role offers the opportunity to mentor staff, lead complex permitting programs, and play a key role in advancing energy projects and client success throughout the region.

This is a full-time, regular (with benefits), salaried/exempt opportunity that is hybrid-eligible from our Pittsburgh, PA office location.

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted through October 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET.

About SWCA

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm providing full spectrum environmental services across the United States. Our North Star is to be the best place to work and a leader in sustainability, delivering sound science and creative solutions to complex environmental challenges.

We are guided by our core values every day. We collaborate as #OneSWCA, we are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack to our communities. With offices nationwide, SWCA offers a collaborative, team focused environment where employees can build meaningful and long-term careers.

What you will accomplish

• Strategic Project Leadership: Strategically consults on and leads complex projects in pursuit of client objectives, overseeing the technical approach and ensuring quality assurance and quality control.
• Exemplary Leadership: Leads by example in both technical and soft skills, navigating client and team priorities to deliver projects that meet professional and oversight agency standards.
• Technical Expertise & Innovation: Innovates standards and practices to enhance the quality and efficiency of client projects and outcomes, ensuring alignment with industry and regulatory standards. Serves as a go-to technical expert and consultant, providing novel project strategies and applying technical excellence that considers client needs to meet project requirements.
• Project Accountability: Continuously guides projects, executing accountability for the performance of projects or delegated tasks and ensuring that project milestones are met and outcomes align with SWCA’s values and client expectations. Assesses risks and implements strategies for problem-solving. Revises or suggests revisions to project scopes, schedules, and budgets as necessary to meet evolving project requirements and ensure successful outcomes.
• Business Growth & Innovation: Drives business growth and client success through technical excellence, innovation, and development of new methods and standards that advance SWCA's technical reputation. Contributes to SWCA's strategic planning.
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Champions cross-disciplinary collaboration, working closely with specialists to provide comprehensive technical support for projects.
• Mentorship & Team Development: Mentors staff for impactful influence, coaching others in technical excellence, leadership, and strategy, and also develops specialized programs and protocols. Fosters team development and cross-training, modeling and promoting knowledge sharing and collaboration among team members to enhance project outcomes, as well as team depth and redundancy.
• Relationship Management: Establishes and grows effective consultative relationships with external and internal clients and/or agency regulators and industry partners (if applicable) to support successful projects.
• Follows applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Additional Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Lead federal, state, Tribal, and local environmental permitting efforts for energy generation, transmission, storage, and related infrastructure projects throughout the Midwest Northeast (MWNE) Subregion.
• Develop permitting strategies and prepare or oversee technical documentation required to support environmental reviews, permit applications, agency consultations, and regulatory approvals.
• Provide technical leadership and regulatory guidance for projects requiring compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations and permitting frameworks.
• Coordinate and collaborate with regulatory agencies, resource agencies, Tribal representatives, clients, and stakeholders to facilitate project approvals and maintain compliance commitments.
• Evaluate regulatory risks, environmental constraints, permitting pathways, and project schedules to support project planning, feasibility assessments, and successful project execution.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams in the development and implementation of permitting strategies that balance client objectives, environmental stewardship, and regulatory requirements.
• Support business development activities by identifying opportunities, developing client relationships, contributing to proposals, and expanding SWCA's energy permitting practice throughout the MWNE Subregion.
• Provide strategic guidance on environmental review and permitting requirements for complex energy projects, including renewable energy, transmission, battery storage, and other infrastructure development initiatives.
• Support the growth of SWCA's energy permitting practice through technical leadership, industry engagement, mentorship, and collaboration across business lines.
• Serve as an ambassador for SWCA's Safety Culture and its implementation.

Minimum Qualifications

Ten years of relevant, progressively responsible experience, including 5 years of managing projects and some experience managing others. Twelve years of related experience, 7 years managing projects, and PMP certification is preferred; or any equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and/or education. Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor's degree.

Experience and qualifications for success

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, Environmental Engineering, Planning, Natural Resources, or a related field.
• Ten (10) years of relevant environmental permitting, compliance, or natural resources consulting experience, including five (5) or more years managing complex projects.
• Demonstrated experience leading federal, state, Tribal, and local environmental permitting efforts for energy, infrastructure, or development projects.
• Working knowledge of applicable environmental regulations and permitting frameworks, including environmental review, agency consultation, and permitting processes.
• Proven experience coordinating with regulatory agencies, clients, stakeholders, and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Track record of successfully managing complex projects, schedules, budgets, forecasting, and invoicing.
• Demonstrated client management and business development experience in a seller-doer environment.
• Strong leadership, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master's degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, Environmental Engineering, Planning, Natural Resources, or a related field.
• Twelve (12) or more years of relevant experience, including seven (7) or more years managing projects.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or similar credential.
• Experience leading permitting efforts 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 within the Midwest Northeast (MWNE) region.
• Experience supporting business development, proposal development, and strategic client growth initiatives.

Other Job Conditions

Applicants must possess a valid driver's license and meet SWCA's driver requirements.

Travel: This position may require domestic travel, including travel by commercial airline. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain all valid travel documents and identification required for work-related travel throughout the duration of employment.

Safety Expectations: Drives compliance of safety policies and reporting requirements to ensure overall team safety.

Pay Range

SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency. The expected pay range for this Pittsburgh, PA-based position is $110,292.00 to $145,236.00 per year. Actual pay may vary based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law. Eligible employees may also receive performance-based bonuses.

As a 100% employee owned company, we invest in your future. Our Total Rewards package includes an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, 401(k) with profit sharing, medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, wellness programs, and professional development opportunities.

Closing

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact [email protected]. If you require assistance with the application process, please contact [email protected].

Use of Technology in Hiring

SWCA may use approved technology, including AI-assisted tools, to support parts of the application and recruiting process. All selection and hiring decisions are made by SWCA employees, and candidates are not selected or rejected by automated systems. We are committed to a fair, transparent, and human-centered hiring experience.

Candidate Use of AI

Candidates may use AI tools to help prepare application materials and interviews. However, all application materials, assessments, and interview responses must accurately reflect their own experience, skills, and qualifications. AI must not be used to fabricate experience, complete assessments on their behalf, or otherwise misrepresent their background or abilities.

Equal Opportunity Employer

SWCA Environmental Consultants is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive.

SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA’s continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.