Industry
Cities & Places
Principal Transport Planner - Bristol or Exeter
Bristol, UK
Posted on Jul 29, 2026
At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.
Your impact
At Jacobs, we’re building the future of transport—safer streets, smarter networks and better-connected communities.
Our Transport Planning team in the South West is growing, and we are looking for a Principal Transport Planner to join our established team based in Bristol or Exeter. You will become part of a collaborative and supportive team delivering a diverse portfolio of transport planning projects for public and private sector clients across the UK.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Transport Planner who enjoys working across a broad range of projects, leading technical delivery, developing client relationships, and helping shape sustainable transport solutions that improve how people move and connect.
As a key member of our Transport Planning team, you will play an important role in delivering a varied programme of work across transport strategy, development planning, active travel, business cases, and transport appraisal projects.
Your work will include:
Preparing and reviewing Transport Assessments, Transport Statements and Travel Plans.
Developing transport strategies, evidence bases and policy-led recommendations.
Contributing to the preparation of Outline and Full Business Cases.
Supporting the development and delivery of active travel and sustainable transport schemes.
Advising clients on transport planning requirements, policy and development proposals.
Undertaking transport analysis and appraisal to inform decision-making.
Working across multidisciplinary projects to integrate transport solutions into wider infrastructure and development schemes.
Supporting stakeholder engagement and consultation activities.
In addition you will be supporting and mentoring junior colleagues and benefiting from senior mentorship and structured career progression in return..
Your will work with a broad range of clients, including local and regional transport authorities, National Highways, public sector organisations, private developers and infrastructure clients.
In Jacobs, projects are delivered both locally and nationally, providing opportunities to work on a wide variety of transport planning challenges ranging from local authority commissions and active travel schemes through to strategic transport studies, business cases and development planning projects.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to play a central role in delivering strategic, innovative and people‑focused transport planning work.
If this sounds like your next step, we’d love to hear from you.
This opportunity is based out of our Bristol or Exeter office and will require min 2 day office/ 3 days home hybrid work.
Here's what you'll need
- A degree or equivalent in a relevant subject, which includes Engineering, Mathematics, Geography or Economics, although we’ll consider candidates from other academic backgrounds.
- You will have experience as a Senior Transport Planner with the ability to contribute to the success of a range of transport planning projects.
- Demonstrable technical understanding of one or more areas of transport planning, for example, Local Transport Plans, Local Plans, route-based strategies, business case development, modelling, data analysis, and strategy/policy development.
- Relevant Transport Planning software usage.
At Jacobs, you'll find more than just a job. You'll discover:
A global network of expertise and opportunity
A culture founded on safety, integrity, inclusion, and belonging /working arrangements that support your well-being and potential to make a real-world impact through our global giving and volunteering programs
Up to 10% pension
24 days (+10 days bought) holidays
Free medical and income protection insurance and many more!
Ready to shape the future of transport? Join us in creating smarter, more sustainable mobility solutions that transform communities and improve lives.
Apply Below Now to Start Your Journey with Jacobs!
#LI- DA1
Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.
With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs.
We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging. Find out more about our Jacobs Employee Networks here.
Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit https://www.vercida.com/uk/employers/jacobs to view and access our roles.
As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.
We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.
Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.
Locations
| City | State | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Exeter | Devon | United Kingdom |
| Bristol | Bristol City | United Kingdom |
