Location
London, Greater London, United Kingdom. Opportunities available nationwide including Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Peterborough and Reading.

Hours
Permanent full-time and part-time, job share or flexible working arrangements available including hybrid working, flexible hours, compressed hours, annualised hours contracts, and desk-based roles.

Salary
Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

About the Role
Join Jacobs’ UK Ecology Team as a Principal Ecologist and take your ecological career to the next level within a dynamic, forward-thinking organisation making a real impact locally and globally. You will deliver major infrastructure projects across water, transport, and energy sectors for clients such as Anglian Water, National Highways, and Network Rail. Your expertise will be applied in Environmental Impact Assessment, Habitats Regulations Assessment, and Biodiversity Net Gain. You will collaborate across disciplines to integrate ecological requirements into project design and delivery, lead ecological monitoring programmes, manage surveys, and ensure high-quality data collection. Acting as the main point of contact for clients and stakeholders on large-scale projects, you will provide expert advice and build cross-functional networks across geographies and cultures. Mentoring junior colleagues and sharing knowledge through global communities of practice, conferences, and training events will be key aspects of your role. Jacobs supports multiple career pathways, allowing you to focus on technical expertise or line management responsibilities according to your strengths and ambitions.

Our Culture
Jacobs values safety, integrity, inclusion, and diversity, putting people at the heart of the business. We foster a culture of caring, positive mental health, and belonging. We are committed to inclusion and diversity, welcoming people regardless of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, mental health, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, pregnancy, or family leave status. Our extensive Global Employee Networks support this commitment.

Our Benefits
Jacobs offers a comprehensive benefits package including up to 10% company pension contribution, reimbursement for professional development and memberships, community support through matched funding, paid volunteering time and charitable donations, and the option to buy or sell annual leave. Wellbeing support includes free employee medical cover, digital GP services, mindfulness platforms, confidential counselling, financial planning support, fertility and family benefits, enhanced parental leave pay, and neurodiversity training. The Bridge the Gap parental transition programme supports working parents before, during, and after parenthood. Work-life balance and flexible working arrangements are a key focus.

Experience
Strong background in terrestrial ecology with significant industry experience. Proven track record in leading ecological input on large-scale projects.

About you
Chartered membership or eligibility of a relevant professional body. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with sharp attention to detail. High level of personal accountability and professionalism. Ability to adapt quickly to new technical areas within terrestrial ecology.

Qualifications
Chartered membership (or eligibility) of a relevant professional body is required. Technical specialism in terrestrial ecology or broad experience with adaptability is essential.