Principal Scientist Jobs in Texas

Lead Complex EHS Strategies. Grow Key Client Relationships. Shape the Future of Sustainable Operations.

ERM is seeking a Principal Consultant, Engineer or Scientist to join our Safe and Sustainable Operations team in Houston, TX. In this strategic leadership role, you will help industrial clients navigate complex environmental compliance challenges while driving business growth and strengthening ERM's presence across Texas, the Gulf region, and beyond. Working with leading organizations in the Oil & Gas, Petrochemical/Chemical, Manufacturing, and Technology sectors, you will influence operational performance, regulatory compliance, and long-term sustainability outcomes while contributing to ERM’s global strategy and technical community.

Why This Role Matters

In this role, you will play a critical role in helping organizations manage environmental compliance risks, maintain operational flexibility, and achieve sustainable business outcomes. Your expertise will directly influence client success while helping expand ERM’s environmental compliance practice throughout Texas and the Southeastern United States. This is an opportunity to combine strategic leadership, technical excellence, client relationship management, and business development within a globally recognized environmental consulting organization.

What Your Impact Is

• Drive the growth and strategic direction of ERM’s Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) compliance services throughout Texas and the Gulf region.
• Build and strengthen trusted relationships with industrial clients facing complex environmental and regulatory challenges.
• Lead high-profile compliance assurance, permitting, management systems, and auditing projects that support operational excellence and regulatory compliance.
• Expand ERM’s market presence by identifying new opportunities and developing long-term client partnerships.
• Mentor the next generation of environmental consultants while contributing to ERM’s global network of technical experts.
• Deliver innovative, practical compliance strategies that help clients achieve business objectives while maintaining environmental stewardship.

What You'll Bring

Required

• BS/MS in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Environmental), Environmental Science, or related degree, or equivalent experience.
• 6+ years (8+ years preferred) of relevant experience in environmental/compliance consulting.
• Well-established reputation and recognized technical expertise in the marketplace.
• Proven experience in business development for environmental/regulatory compliance contracts, with the ability to contribute to ERM’s annual sales goals.
• Consulting experience working with RCRA, NPDES, EPCRA, SPCC, and other environmental regulations.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal), strategic thinking, negotiation, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Established relationships with regulatory authorities and large private-sector industrial companies in Texas and the Southeastern United States.
• Positive outlook, collaborative approach, and commitment to the success of ERM as a global organization.
• Driver's License Required: This position requires a valid driver's license and/or the ability to operate a company vehicle due to the nature of job duties, which include frequent travel to various client locations across a large geographical area.

Preferred

• 12+ years of relevant experience in environmental/compliance consulting.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for expanding ERM's EHS compliance area and client base in the Texas market.
• Identify and develop new opportunities, prepare effective technical proposals, and take an active leadership role in developing new business with new and existing clients.
• Develop and expand client relationships that generate repeat business.
• Direct strategic environmental permits/inspection and compliance assurance programs for a variety of industrial clients with complex technical and regulatory issues.
• Work closely with clients and develop strong relationships to understand specific processes and develop a permitting and compliance strategy to help clients maintain maximum operating flexibility.
• Achieve client expectations for scope, budget, schedule, and quality.
• Serve as a senior technical resource on EHS compliance assurance and permitting programs.
• Review plans, permits, and inspection documentation prior to submittal to clients and/or agencies.
• Capitalize on existing client relationships to expand ERM’s profile and market share in regional environmental compliance markets through a combination of technical excellence and business development.
• Mentor junior and mid-level staff in the planning and execution of compliance projects and in conducting independent technical reviews of deliverable work products.
• Support the growth and development of ERM’s global management systems, compliance, and auditing services.
• Collaborate with ERM practitioners worldwide to execute compliance and auditing projects, including participation on multidisciplinary teams across multiple offices and regions.
• Network with ERM's national compliance and auditing technical teams to share consulting opportunities, business relationships, and best practices that address client needs.

Who We Are:
As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.

At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our “boots to boardroom” approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.

Please submit your resume and brief cover letter.

ERM does not accept recruiting agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, ERM employees or any other company location. ERM is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

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.

Thank you for your interest in ERM!

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