Position summary

AtkinsRéalis is hiring a technically strong Sustainability & Carbon Consultant to join the Engineering & Design Sustainability team within its Buildings & Places practice. The role combines project delivery, carbon analysis and wider sustainability advice, helping multidisciplinary teams turn evidence-backed sustainable design aspirations into practical, implementable design decisions. It focuses on whole-life and embodied carbon alongside broader sustainability advisory for new-build, retrofit and master-planning projects.

Why this role matters

Supporting clients and design teams from feasibility and strategy through design, delivery and construction, the role sets project-specific sustainability goals, develops carbon baselines and targets, identifies hotspots, tests options and supports practical reductions through the PAS 2080 carbon reduction hierarchy, circular-economy principles, sustainable material selection, passive design and a fabric-first approach, across AtkinsRéalis’s high-profile buildings projects.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver whole-life and embodied carbon assessments for new-build and retrofit projects, including baselines, hotspot analysis, design optioneering and carbon reduction recommendations.
• Develop and maintain carbon models using information from architectural, structural and building services teams, cost plans, bills of quantities or site information.
• Develop and report sustainability and carbon strategies throughout design, translating objectives into measurable targets, coordinated actions and clear recommendations.
• Provide technical advice on circular economy, sustainable materials, waste minimisation, energy efficiency and passive, low-carbon design.
• Prepare technical reports and lead workshops, communicating findings to technical and non-technical audiences, and contribute to bids and proposals.
• Support smaller commissions (task planning, programme coordination, budget monitoring, quality checks and risk escalation) and mentor graduates, apprentices and assistants.

Team and stakeholders

The role sits in the Engineering & Design Sustainability team within Buildings & Places, collaborating with multidisciplinary design teams, clients and sustainable design specialists across AtkinsRéalis. It includes coordination and mentoring of junior colleagues but no formal line-management responsibility.

Key details

• Full-time, London-based, with a hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances.
• May require UK security clearance (UKSV), which can require proof of 5+ years’ UK residency.

Requirements

Essential

• A degree or equivalent in architecture, engineering, construction, sustainability, environmental science, climate change, carbon management or a related built-environment discipline.
• Strong experience developing and interrogating carbon models for building design, defining assumptions, reviewing inputs, identifying hotspots and translating results into practical recommendations.
• Demonstrable experience delivering whole-life and embodied carbon assessments across design and construction stages, working independently and with multidisciplinary teams.
• Working knowledge of recognised building-carbon standards, including the RICS Whole Life Carbon Assessment Professional Standard (2nd edition) and PAS 2080.
• Experience using building LCA and carbon modelling tools such as One Click LCA.
• Working knowledge of building construction technology (envelope, structural and MEP systems) and of circular economy, sustainable materials and resource efficiency.
• Strong analytical, report-writing, communication and presentation skills; proficiency with Excel, Word and PowerPoint.

Preferred

• Working towards a relevant professional qualification (ARB, CEnv or other).
• Familiarity with building sustainability and performance frameworks such as BREEAM, WELL and Passivhaus.