Job Description
As a Principal Emissions Engineer at Black & White Engineering, you will play a pivotal role in leading emissions-related assessments, setting technical direction, and influencing client and regulatory outcomes on major digital infrastructure projects worldwide.
The role offers the opportunity to shape environmental strategy on some of the world’s most advanced data centre developments.
What’s in It For You
Technical Leadership & Influence – You’ll lead emissions strategy across complex data centre portfolios, acting as the subject-matter expert for combustion emissions, air quality, and permitting. Your guidance will directly inform planning, design, and operational decisions.
Ownership of Noise- and Emissions-Critical Design Decisions – From early-stage feasibility through to detailed design and commissioning support, you’ll provide technical assurance on generator emissions, plant selection, dispersion modelling, and compliance strategies.
Exposure to Global, High-Impact Projects – You’ll work on hyperscale and colocation data centre developments across the UK, Europe, and beyond, navigating varied regulatory environments and international environmental standards.
Strategic Client Engagement – As a principal-level engineer, you’ll engage directly with clients, regulators, and stakeholders, presenting findings, influencing outcomes, and representing Black & White Engineering as a trusted technical authority.
Professional Profile & Career Progression – This role offers visibility across the organisation and positions you to influence best practice, mentor others, and shape the long-term emissions capability within a fast-growing consultancy.
Values-Driven Culture – Be part of a business that values Accountability, Integrity, Simplicity, and Supportiveness, where technical excellence is recognised and leadership is encouraged.
Essential Skills
* Degree in Environmental Engineering, Atmospheric Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline
* Extensive experience delivering air quality and emissions assessments for major infrastructure or industrial projects
* Expert knowledge of emissions from standby generation, combustion plant, and associated control strategies
* Strong experience with dispersion modelling methodologies (e.g. ADMS, AERMOD, CALPUFF or equivalent)
* In-depth understanding of UK, European, and international air quality and emissions standards
* Proven ability to lead technical delivery, review reports, and mentor junior engineers
Desirable / Advantageous:
* Experience supporting data centre or mission-critical infrastructure projects
* Familiarity with permitting, planning, and environmental approvals processes
* Experience presenting to regulators, planners, and senior client stakeholders
* Chartered or working towards Chartered Engineer / Environmentalist status
Company Overview
Black & White Engineering is a multi-award-winning engineering consultancy with offices across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific.
We are a leading provider of engineering design services for the data centre sector, delivering expertise across Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP), Civil and Structural, Power Systems, Sustainability, BIM, Design Management, Acoustics, Emissions, and other specialist infrastructure disciplines.
Our teams deliver practical, efficient design solutions that prioritise real-world installation, maintenance, and long-term operational performance.
As one of the fastest-growing consultancies in our industry, we offer genuine opportunities for progression - many of our engineers have developed into leadership roles as the business has expanded. Joining Black & White Engineering means applying your expertise where it has real-world impact, while receiving the recognition you deserve.