Environmental Permitting and Regulatory Compliance Specialist

Job Summary

Together, we own our company, our future, and our shared success.

As an employee-owned company, our people are Black & Veatch. We put them at the center of everything we do and empower them to grow, explore new possibilities and use their diverse talents and perspectives to solve humanity's biggest challenges in an ever-evolving world. With over 100 years of innovation in sustainable infrastructure and our expertise in engineering, procurement, consulting, and construction, together we are building a world of difference.  

At Black & Veatch, you own your career with purpose and meaning. You are empowered to grow and explore new possibilities at every step of your career journey. Bring your big ideas knowing you are safe to be who you are and speak up with concerns or questions and put your diverse talents and perspectives to use. 

The Team

Our Environmental and Permitting team is a multidisciplinary team of architects, ecologists, engineers, scientists, attorneys and other specialists working together to identify optimum environmental solutions for our clients.  We have provided land services and environmental consulting services in support of projects for over 40 years including a diverse and growing mix of infrastructure projects such as power generation (conventional and renewable) and transmission, oil and gas facilities and pipelines, water and wastewater treatment facilities, data centers, and food and beverage industries. 

As a full-service environmental consulting practice, services include impact assessment and planning, regulatory compliance and permitting, wetland and floodplain analysis, waterbody and water quality assessment, air quality permitting and management, environmental remediation, site due diligence, environmental noise assessment, pollution prevention planning, and climate action solutions.

Join us to work with a team of professionals focused on environmental stewardship, practical permitting strategies, and successful project delivery for clients operating in Spain, Latin America, the UK, UAE and other international markets.

The Opportunity

We are now hiring an  Environmental Permitting and Compliance Specialist to be based in our Madrid, Spain office.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

•    Work with a growing team within an established global infrastructure consulting and engineering company.
•    Support environmental permitting, regulatory compliance, and due diligence efforts for infrastructure, energy, water, industrial, and commercial projects, with a strong focus on Spain and Latin America permitting frameworks, project approval processes, and regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
•    Collaborate with project teams, clients, local consultants, and regulatory stakeholders to define permitting strategies, identify environmental and technical study requirements, and manage multi-jurisdictional approval processes from early-stage development through construction and closeout of data centres, power generation, renewables and BESS, and green molecules projects.
•    Support clients and investors by translating permitting risks, timelines, and regulatory requirements into clear, actionable insights to support decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

•    Review project requirements, environmental regulations, permit conditions, and agency guidance to identify environmental and regulatory obligations for inclusion in proposals, project design, schedules, budgets, and execution plans.
•    Assess project permitting status and maturity, identify key blockers versus manageable risks, and define critical-path timelines to achieve Ready-to-Build status for client and investment decision-making.
•    Map the full permitting chain (EIA/DIA, urban planning, grid permits, etc.) including requirements related to environmental assessment, public consultation, biodiversity, water resources, waste management, air quality, cultural resources, construction compliance, and country- or region-specific regulatory approvals.
•    Lead permitting strategy definition and execution for projects in Spain, Latin America, UK and the EMEA region.
•    Review Spanish-language environmental permits, regulatory correspondence, environmental studies, compliance plans, and technical documents; summarize key requirements and communicate implications to English-speaking project teams and clients.
•    Advise project teams and clients on Spain permitting processes and translate regulatory requirements into actionable project guidance.
•    Participate in site visits and project planning to identify permitting risks and key constraints.
•     Coordinate with local consultants, authorities, and project teams to manage permitting processes and approvals. Develop and review permitting deliverables including environmental management plans, permit matrices, compliance tracking tools, and supporting documentation required for environmental approvals and construction compliance.
•     Develop and deliver internal training on environmental permitting strategy, regulatory processes, and compliance requirements, with a focus on Spain, Latin America and UK projects.
•    Provide input to proposals and designs with focus on permitting risk and project feasibility.
•     Maintain understanding of Spain, the UK and EU permitting frameworks.

Minimum Qualifications

•    Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, environmental science, environmental engineering, biology, natural resources, planning, or a related discipline preferred. Other degrees, specialized training, or experience that uniquely qualify the individual to perform the job responsibilities may also be considered.
•    Must have English and Spanish language fluency, including the ability to review English language environmental documents, participate in meetings, and communicate permitting and compliance requirements with internal and external stakeholders.
•    Must have strong, hands-on experience with Spain permitting frameworks and approval processes, including environmental assessment (EIA/DIA), coordination with authorities, autonomous community procedures, municipal licensing, and overall permitting strategy and execution.

All applicants must be able to complete pre-employment onboarding requirements (if selected) which may include any/all of the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and motor vehicle records search, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.

Preferred Qualifications

•    Experience with Latin America and/or UK permitting frameworks and infrastructure projects 
•    Relevant industry certifications related to environmental permitting, environmental compliance, environmental management systems, and health and safety.
•    Significant (typically 8+ years) of specific and demonstrable experience in environmental permitting, permitting strategy, or infrastructure advisory, supporting proposal, development, and execution phases of complex infrastructure, energy projects.
•    Sound understanding of environmental compliance requirements during construction, including implementation of permit conditions and environmental management measures.
•    Demonstrated experience developing and delivering training or guidance on permitting strategy, regulatory processes, and environmental compliance requirements.
•    Aptitude for creative problem-solving, practical risk management, and collaborative decision-making in cross-cultural or multi-jurisdictional project environments.
•    Positive, entrepreneur, team-first, get-the-job-done commitment.
•    Highly developed critical thinking skills with proven problem-solving capabilities.
•    Strong understanding of grid connection and electrical infrastructure permitting processes (e.g., access and connection frameworks, substations, transmission lines), and their interaction with environmental and planning approvals.
•    Experience supporting technical due diligence processes, including assessment of permitting status, identification of key risks and constraints, and evaluation of project timelines and feasibility from an investment perspective
•    Ability to distinguish between critical permitting blockers and manageable risks, and to provide clear, defensible recommendations to support client and investment decision-making.