Principal Environmental Compliance Consultant

The Opportunity

Founded in 2010, Terraphase Engineering is a dynamic, privately owned environmental consulting firm seeking a Principal Environmental Compliance Consultant—Scientist, Geologist, or Engineer—with 18 or more years of professional experience to help lead, grow, and support our Compliance Services Division.

Compliance is one of Terraphase’s four core service areas, alongside Environmental, Site Engineering, and Water Resources. As one of our fastest-growing service areas, the division is central to Terraphase’s long-term growth strategy, with dedicated resources and leadership focused on expanding our capabilities and reach.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for a proven seller-doer who combines technical expertise, established client relationships, and sound business judgment. We are looking for a senior colleague to partner with our national compliance leadership, bring an active book of business, and take a meaningful role in serving and expanding Terraphase’s existing client base.

At Terraphase, you’ll enjoy the personal attention and entrepreneurial culture of a small-to-mid-sized firm with fewer than 200 people, supported by multidisciplinary resources and offices across the United States. You’ll have the opportunity to help shape strategy, develop your client portfolio, mentor emerging leaders, and deliver practical solutions that help clients manage risk, improve operations, and meet their environmental obligations.

A Flexible Senior-Level Role

We recognize that accomplished professionals may be looking for different ways to contribute at this stage of their careers. We welcome candidates seeking either full-time employment or a meaningful part-time leadership role.

The position may be based at any Terraphase office nationally. Candidates outside our existing office markets are also encouraged to apply; alternative locations and remote or hybrid arrangements will be considered where a mutually agreeable business and working arrangement can be established.

Much of the senior-level work involves technical direction, desktop review, client relationships, and team leadership. Responsibilities, availability, business development expectations, and project commitments will be aligned with the agreed schedule and role. Travel will be based on client, project, and team needs.

The Role

· Partner with national compliance leadership to expand the practice, identify priority opportunities, and help shape its long-term growth strategy.

· Maintain and grow an established portfolio of client relationships while actively supporting Terraphase’s existing clients and compliance programs.

· Develop new business through professional relationships, referrals, industry engagement, and targeted pursuits, and identify opportunities to expand services within existing accounts.

· Maintain comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental requirements, including state-specific regulations in California, Washington, New Jersey, and Texas, and federal programs under the Clean Water Act, RCRA, Clean Air Act, EPCRA, and related authorities. Translate these requirements into practical compliance strategies for clients operating across multiple jurisdictions.

· Lead large-scale, multisite, and multistate compliance programs, translating complex requirements into practical actions that fit client operations.

· Serve as a trusted advisor to corporate leaders, environmental managers, and facility personnel, including guiding regulatory negotiations and agency interactions.

· Direct projects involving compliance audits, gap analyses, discharge monitoring, hazardous waste and materials management, stormwater and wastewater, tank and spill prevention programs, air quality, litigation support, and permitting, consistent with your technical expertise.

· Help clients prioritize findings, implement corrective actions, and develop effective approaches to ongoing compliance management.

· Develop proposals, scopes of work, budgets, and schedules, and lead responses to small and large requests for proposals and statements of qualifications.

· Support project bidding, contract solicitation, and pursuit strategy while maintaining realistic commitments for staffing, technical delivery, and profitability.

· Oversee and mentor consultants, scientists, and engineers, and manage subcontractors and vendors.

· Help project managers and emerging leaders develop their client management, business development, and technical leadership skills.

· Provide quality assurance and technical review of reports, plans, specifications, and other deliverables.

· Monitor regulatory developments and industry trends to anticipate client needs and identify appropriate service opportunities.

· Collaborate across offices and disciplines to deliver coordinated, cost-effective solutions and connect clients with Terraphase’s broader capabilities.

Who You Are

· You have 18 or more years of relevant professional experience focused on environmental compliance, including substantial experience in consulting. Candidates currently working in industry or other leadership roles who have prior consulting experience are welcome.

· You hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering, geology, environmental science, or a related discipline.

· You bring an established book of business and active client relationships, supported by a demonstrated record of generating and delivering consulting work.

· You are interested in both developing your own client portfolio and taking responsibility for serving and growing an existing client base.

· You have demonstrated success leading complex compliance programs, managing client portfolios, and balancing business development with project execution.

· You offer recognized expertise in one or more environmental compliance disciplines and a strong understanding of federal and multistate regulatory frameworks.

· You can connect technical recommendations with clients’ operational priorities, business objectives, and risk management needs.

· You communicate effectively with clients, regulators, technical teams, and business leaders, including through proposals, presentations, and negotiations.

· You are a collaborative leader who mentors others, shares opportunities across teams, and maintains high standards for technical quality, client service, and professional integrity.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

· Relevant professional licensure or certification, such as PE, PG, or CHMM, or demonstrated subject matter leadership in areas such as hazardous waste, stormwater, air quality, or other compliance disciplines.

· Experience developing and managing national or regional client programs, including consistent approaches to compliance across multiple facilities.

· Experience with environmental management systems, compliance tracking, or tools that help clients manage recurring obligations and corrective actions.

· Familiarity with government platforms such as EPA CDX, CERS, RCRAInfo/myRCRAid, TRI-MEweb, ECHO, E-Plan, and similar compliance systems.

· Familiarity with, or experience leading teams who use, ArcGIS, Power BI, AutoCAD, and comparable tools.

· Participation in professional associations, technical presentations, or other activities that build industry relationships and demonstrate technical leadership.

Pay Range 135000 - 200000 USD