Principal Consultant, Renewable Energy​/Power

Principal Consultant, Renewable Energy/Power

Position at ERM – leading impact assessment, planning and permitting for renewable energy facilities across the Midwest. The role manages environmental studies and permitting for solar, battery storage, technology infrastructure, and transmission projects.

• Lead complex local permitting and compliance for renewable energy and tech sector projects.
• Prepare and manage permitting documents for energy/industrial facility development, expansion, maintenance, or decommissioning, focusing on local permitting.
• Oversee preparation of discipline‑specific reports (biological, cultural, noise, decommissioning, landscape, stakeholder engagement), engineering plans, and state‑level environmental reviews, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Provide technical subject‑matter and project management expertise on permitting strategies, due diligence, environmental critical issue assessments, and impact assessment deliverables.
• Develop technical proposals and support business development with existing and prospective clients.
• Manage projects within quality, budget, schedule, and scope parameters; coordinate day‑to‑day project activities.
• Lead client calls and meetings, delivering critical insights to optimize project implementation.
• Collaborate with ERM practitioners across impact assessment and capital project permitting services.
• Expand ERM’s market share through client relationships and high‑quality service delivery.

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in environmental studies, environmental management, environmental science, wetland science, planning, geography, or related natural resource field; or 8+ years of equivalent experience.
• 6+ years of project management, licensing, and permitting experience, with strong project experience in power (8+ years preferred).
• Proven experience with federal, state, and local permitting, especially local permit applications for renewable energy projects.
• Experience assisting clients in obtaining multi‑media permits and approvals for new or expanded facilities.
• Background in desktop and online studies or research on natural resource or resource planning topics, GIS, map interpretation.
• Skilled in researching and preparing concise, accurate technical documents and presenting findings to clients, stakeholders, or regulatory agencies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, organization, and analytical skills.
• Ability to multi‑task, maintain flexibility, travel, and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop team members; strong people skills and service‑oriented mindset.
• Driver’s license required; ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

Base salary range: $115,500 – $148,700 (USD). Salary determined by education, experience, location, performance, and other factors. Eligible for bonus pay where applicable.

Benefits include paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k), and other benefits for eligible employees.

Apply through  or the internal careers portal if you are a current employee.

ERM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

As the largest global pure‑play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations to create innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlock commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for the future.

We are committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment that is essential to our success. Our diverse team of world‑class experts supports clients across their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by deep technical expertise in environmental, health, safety, risk, and social issues.