Principal Ecologist

Principal Ecologist – AECOM, Birmingham, England

At AECOM, we’re delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand.

We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

Birmingham, England, United Kingdom (Hybrid work model – remote and office options available)

Are you ready to join a team of talented ecologists and shape the future of the environment? Join our dynamic Nature team as a Principal Ecologist in our growing locations across the UK and Ireland, delivering an exceptional portfolio of Ecology programs and projects through long‑term partnerships with key clients. Presently, we are working on a wide range of projects in power and renewables, infrastructure, environment and transport sectors, collaborating with other technical disciplines such as landscape, GIS, engineering, sustainability and drainage.

• Lead and support delivery of high‑quality ecological consultancy and advisory services to both internal and external clients.
• Oversee planning, scheduling and organization of all phases of ecological project work, ensuring necessary resources, budgets and controls are in place to meet programme and budget requirements.
• Support development of technically robust and pragmatic solutions to complex ecological issues.
• Lead and support production of ecology chapters for environmental statements and protected species licence applications.
• Author or technically check project deliverables to ensure high‑quality outputs.
• Support the continued development of our technical capabilities.

• Degree (or equivalent) in ecology or an associated subject.
• Membership of an appropriate professional institution and working toward or holding Chartered Ecologist or Chartered Environmentalist status, including a holder of protected species survey and/or mitigation licences.
• Experience of leading and managing ecological surveys, licensing, impact assessment, as demonstrated by suitable professional experience.
• Experience in delivering and managing projects, project budgets and leading stakeholder discussions.
• Experience of reviewing technical work and supporting wider team members.

Become part of our dynamic Nature business, boasting around 150 professional experts, including national and global leaders in species licence, impact assessment, habitat creation, ecosystem restoration, and management. Enjoy a range of core and personalised benefits designed to support your future and well‑being, customised to fit your lifestyle. Take advantage of career development opportunities, flexible hybrid working model, technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days.

For further information about the role, reach out to the recruiter on Linked In (Melissa Moody). We celebrate diversity, including neurodiversity, and welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities. If you are an applicant with a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us at Reaso

If you meet some of the requirements above or have transferable skills you believe would benefit us, we would be delighted to hear from you!

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

ReqID: J
Business Line: Environment
Business Group: DCS
Strategic Business Unit: Europe & India
Career Area: Science
Work Location Model: Hybrid