Associate Consultant

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? 

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects, and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you. 

Our work in the nuclear sector is growing, and we are looking for talented people with experience in the nuclear sector to join our Environmental Permitting & Nuclear Regulation Team at a Senior Consultant or Principal Consultant grade and support the sectors safe, secure, and sustainable growth.  

A little more about your role… 

At WSP, we are driven by a shared purpose: delivering the kind of work the world genuinely needs. As part of our establish and growing Environmental Permitting & Nuclear Regulation team, you will help deliver nationally significant nuclear projects and play a key role in supporting the UK’s transition to a secure, low carbon energy future.  

Whether your background is in regulation, licensing, radiological protection, radioactive waste management, nuclear operations, consultancy, or another relevant field, we welcome your perspective and the opportunity to support you to shape and develop your career. You’ll join a collaborative community where your ideas are valued, your expertise is respected, and your development is supported.  

You will play a key role in high impact energy initiatives, from gigawatt-scale nuclear megaprojects such as Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C to Small and Advanced Modular Reactor projects in collaboration with Great British Energy – Nuclear and commercial developers. Additionally, you will support projects focused on the development, and safe and sustainable operation of existing nuclear sites, nuclear decommissioning, remediation of nuclear legacies, and the secure, sustainable management and disposal of radioactive waste. Our work includes: 

• Advising reactor vendors, developers and licensees on navigating the UK nuclear regulatory requirements and taking advantage of the Nuclear Regulatory Review.   

• Delivering timely and proportionate permitting, licensing and consenting of nuclear projects and contributing to investable nuclear projects. 

• Efficiently developing effective Environmental Cases for nuclear facilities and demonstrating the application of Best Available Techniques for nuclear operators. 

• Supporting nuclear developers and operators secure compliance with permit and licence requirements and proportionately delivering the high standards of safety, security and sustainability expected of them.  

You will work on both large and small projects, often within multi‑disciplinary teams, and will help shape and maintain strong client relationships through high‑quality delivery and trusted advice.  

This role offers flexibility of location across WSP’s offices across the UK, with opportunities to collaborate nationally and internationally. Occasional travel within the UK is expected.  

Your Team 

You will be joining a highly capable, growing, and welcoming team of twenty-five Environmental Permitting & Nuclear Regulation specialists and experts at various stages of their careers, presenting opportunities to both mentor/guide early career professionals alongside the opportunity to learn from highly experienced industry experts. 

The Environmental Permitting & Nuclear Regulation team sits within a wider Sustainable Resources Discipline of over 100 specialists working across a variety of sectors providing deep and broad technical advisory services to translate sustainability strategy into compliant, resilient, low-risk operational change, to make sustainability real. 

Our main hub for Environmental Permitting & Nuclear Regulation is in Manchester, though we have members of the team located across many of WSP’s 30 offices throughout the UK, including offices close to the UK’s key nuclear employment clusters. 

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate… 

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds.  

If some of the criteria below describe you, we would love to hear from you—even if you don’t meet every point. 

• Self-motivated - thorough and be able to demonstrate successful collaborative delivery of tasks or projects to exacting standards. 

• Client focused - able to build trust and provide well-evidenced advice at short notice as well as a proven ability to deliver to tight timelines. 

• Clear communicator - Able to communicate complex information clearly to clients, regulators, and multidisciplinary teams. Skilled at tailoring messages for different audiences. 

• Understanding of the safety and sustainability issues facing nuclear sector companies, primarily around nuclear and radioactive substances regulation. 

• Understanding of relevant nuclear legislation, regulations and guidance and good practice and their application within the nuclear sector.  

• Experience in one or more of the following: nuclear regulation, environmental permitting, safety, sustainability and environmental management, radioactive waste management, safety/environmental assessments, environmental monitoring, or safety and environmental cases.  

• Experience of radiological and non-radiological impact environmental assessment, safety assessment, environmental monitoring, safety and environment cases or BAT, ALARP or HAZOP studies would be an advantage.  

• You will be committed to continuous learning and professional development; membership of a relevant professional body is welcome but not essential. 

Don’t quite meet all the criteria? Apply, and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities within the team. 

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all. 

Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. 

• Purpose-driven work: Contribute to nationally critical nuclear projects and the UK’s net zero ambitions. 

• Inclusive culture: Work with a diverse group of professionals who value each other’s unique strengths. 

• Career growth: Access sector experts, mentoring, structured development pathways and opportunities across more than 70,000 colleagues globally.  

• Collaborative team: Join a friendly, respected, and expanding nuclear regulation community that supports your success at every stage.  

We encourage applicants from all backgrounds, including those returning to work after career breaks, those seeking flexible working arrangements, and individuals looking to transfer experience from other regulated industries. 

With us, you can. Apply today. 

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 11,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Work-life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community.

Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote a culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.

Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.

We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.