MEQ Principal Consultant

About the Role

Lead marine water quality and sediment science with Australia's largest independent marine consultancy.

O2 Marine is the largest independent specialist marine environmental, engineering and MetOcean consultancy in Australia. The company delivers the science that lets major projects proceed responsibly, from offshore oil and gas through to ports, defence, and coastal development across Australia and internationally.

O2 Marine's Marine Environmental Quality (MEQ) team sits at the heart of that work. The company is looking for a Principal Consultant to step in as second in charge of the team, working alongside the MEQ Team Lead to shape technical direction, win and deliver complex programs, and mentor the next generation of marine scientists.

This is a genuine leadership role for a mid-career scientist who wants to own outcomes, not just contribute to them.

Reporting to the MEQ Team Lead, the successful candidate will act as the team's deputy: trusted to run major programs end to end, mentor and assist development across the team, deputise for the Team Lead when required, and help set the standard for technical quality across the team. Time will be split between offshore and coastal field campaigns, technical delivery, reporting and proposal development and cost estimation, building from existing and new client relationships, expanding business development that keep the team's pipeline healthy, and working with O2 Marine's wider service lines to deliver complex technical solutions to meet clients' requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, delivery and interpretation of marine water and sediment quality, including physical, chemical, and ecological programs across a wide range of project types.
• Plan and lead offshore and coastal field campaigns, including sampling design, mobilisation, vessel-based operations and field team supervision.
• Deliver technical reporting and technical review to a high standard, ensuring outputs meet regulatory and client expectations and O2 Marine quality standards.
• Support technical development and delivery of multi-disciplined projects across the service lines.
• Assist with driving business development, identifying and exploring new business opportunities to ensure future workflow to support the MEQ Team and wider organisation.
• Foster existing client and stakeholder relationships ensuring the highest level of service and technical excellence is always provided whilst building and growing opportunities with new clients.
• Support proposal development including scoping, cost estimation and client engagement, contributing to the ongoing growth of the MEQ team.
• Identify and define practical solutions to complex problems always ensuring clients' needs are met with robust science delivered to the highest quality in a cost effective and efficient manner.
• Mentor and develop consultants and graduates, building technical depth across the team.
• Deputise for the Team Lead on delivery, resourcing and client matters as required.

About You

A mid-career marine scientist with the technical credibility to lead and the appetite to grow into a senior leadership position, with a range of technical accomplishments and skill in client relationship and business development, demonstrating the ability to seek out and maximise opportunities.

Essential

• Tertiary qualification in marine science, environmental science, chemistry or a related field.
• Significant demonstrated expertise in marine water and sediment quality, covering physical, chemical and ecological aspects, including sampling design, data interpretation and reporting. Experience in the development of complex management plans and understanding of water and sediment quality application in ecological impact assessments in accordance with EPA Technical Guidance.
• Highly developed written and oral communication, including proven ability to work as part of, and lead as required, a multi disciplined team to achieve the required outcomes.
• Experience in a wide range of sampling and data collection, including assessment, interpretation and reporting, across baseline sampling, routine marine health surveillance, marine discharge programs, compliance sampling, dredge monitoring and management, use of profilers and data loggers, with marine data telemetry experience highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in project management including budget control, contract management, client relations, milestone delivery, quality control and ability to manage time effectively and prioritise between multiple projects.
• Proven experience planning and leading offshore and coastal field campaigns, including logistics, resourcing (equipment, plant and human), HSE planning and client interface. Proven experience acting as Field Team Lead or Party Chief. Experience in a range of environments (temperate to tropical) desirable, with understanding of operations in remote areas highly valued.
• Exposure to the oil and gas, and ports and harbour sectors and an understanding of their regulatory and operational environment.
• Right to work in Australia, based in Western Australia or willing to relocate.
• Current or achievable offshore medical and safety qualifications.

Desirable

• Experience acting as a team lead, deputy or project director on multidisciplinary programs.
• Ability to understand clients' unique needs, providing tailored solutions as required to meet these objectives.
• HSE understanding, including development of HSE plans, JSEA and high level risk management skills.
• Business mindset and understanding, with the ability to measure performance and recommend strategies to maximise efficiency, identify cost savings and advise alternative technologies to improve performance.
• Ability to mentor and grow technical and project performance of graduates and junior consultants.
• Familiarity with Western Australian and Commonwealth marine environmental regulation, approvals and EPA Technical Guidance, in particular the EPA's technical guidance for Protecting the Quality of Western Australia's Marine Environment and Environmental Impact Assessment of Marine Dredging Proposals.
• Experience and/or working knowledge across wider disciplines including benthic communities and habitats, marine fauna, coastal processes, and working understanding and ability to interpret numerical modelling reports, including working with modellers to define modelling objectives.
• Understanding of standards and guidelines related to MEQ monitoring and assessment, including but not limited to NAGD 2009, Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality, NEPM, National Water Quality Management Strategy, State Environmental (Cockburn Sound) Policy and supporting documentation.
• Experience preparing proposals, cost estimation, including commercial and strategic considerations, and building client and stakeholder relationships.

Why O2 Marine

• Led by practical experience — a technically driven consultancy where scientists lead the work, not administrators.
• Work on some of the most significant marine projects in Australia and the region, with a clear pathway into senior leadership.
• A collaborative, down-to-earth team that takes the work seriously without taking itself too seriously.
• Competitive remuneration, professional development support, and flexible hybrid working from the Fremantle base.
• Certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, with a genuine commitment to safety and quality.

How to Apply

Apply through Seek with a CV and a short cover letter outlining relevant experience. For a confidential discussion about the role, contact O2 Marine directly.

O2 Marine is an equal opportunity employer, welcoming applications from people of all backgrounds and committed to continue building a diverse and inclusive team.

More information: https://au.seek.com/job/93597376