Purpose & Scope of the Role
We are seeking an experienced Associate / Senior Associate Transport Planner to play a leading role in delivering high‑profile transport planning and appraisal projects across Ireland and the UK. Working within a specialised team, you will lead complex technical work, act as a key client liaison, and help shape the future direction of our Transport Planning & Appraisal offering.
You will support and coordinate multi‑disciplinary project teams, ensure that deliverables are delivered to the highest standards, and contribute actively to business development, innovation, and improvements in our methodologies. You will also play an important role in mentoring junior colleagues and supporting their technical and professional development.
The Transport Planning & Appraisal team currently consists of seven specialists and works on projects ranging from short advisory inputs to multi‑billion‑euro infrastructure schemes. While the role does not initially include formal line management, you will lead project resources and may take on broader leadership responsibilities as the team grows.
The role can be based in any Ireland office, with travel expected for client meetings (typically in Dublin) and collaboration with colleagues in Cork.
Your Impact in this Position
You will lead transport planning components of complex, multi ‑ disciplinary projects while engaging closely with clients to understand their requirements and ensure all outputs are delivered on time, within budget, and to " right ‑ first ‑ time " standards. You will support the development of junior colleagues through coaching and quality review and play a significant role throughout the lifecycle of large, multi ‑ year transport projects, from early options development through to planning. In addition, you will contribute to business development, thought leadership, and continuous improvement, including exploring opportunities to integrate digital and AI tools into project workflows. Over time, you will grow into a recognised subject matter expert within the business and the wider industry, influencing team strategy, shaping service offerings, and progressing within our organisation's senior technical or leadership pathways.Your Toolkit for Success at TetraTech RPS
At Tetra Tech RPS we recruit using core capabilities - the toolkit of essential skills, experience, competencies, and responsibilities required to perform the role effectively. As we strive to find the best fit for this position, we are seeking individuals that meet a benchmark level of expertise.
But we'll let you in on a secret: there's no such thing as the 'perfect' candidate. If you feel you meet 75% of the requirements for this role, we would love to hear from you.
Technical Expertise in Transport Planning
You will bring strong technical expertise in transport planning, supported by a deep understanding of transport planning principles and business case development within UK and/or Irish contexts. This includes experience applying UK Treasury Green Book and Irish TAF guidance, alongside solid knowledge of transport appraisal frameworks such as TAG and PAG and associated tools including TUBA and COBALT. You will also have experience in rail scheme development and/or multi ‑ modal transport modelling using platforms such as CUBE, SATURN, VISUM, VISSIM, Junctions, or LinSig. In addition, you will demonstrate an awareness of industry best practice and emerging trends that contribute to high ‑ quality, future ‑ focused transport planning solutions.
Technical Delivery
You will demonstrate strong technical delivery capabilities, including the ability to scope and deliver technical tasks and projects while coordinating team inputs and ensuring that budget and schedule requirements are consistently met. You will be able to develop bespoke solutions using advanced tools, models, or methodologies, and bring strong analytical and report‑writing skills, including experience in checking and quality‑assuring the work of others. In addition, you will have experience training and developing junior staff, supporting their growth and contributing to the overall capability of the team.
Project Management
You will bring strong project management capability, demonstrated through your proven ability to act as project lead on major public ‑ sector transport planning projects. You will be confident managing multiple workstreams simultaneously, prioritising effectively, and providing clear reporting with minimal supervision. While not essential, a project management qualification such as APMP would be advantageous and will support your continued development in delivering complex, multi ‑ stakeholder programmes.
Commercial & Financial Acumen
Understanding of commercial frameworks, budget constraints, and the need to deliver efficient project outcomes.
Client Engagement
You will demonstrate strong client engagement capability, using your excellent communication skills to build and maintain effective relationships with clients. You will have a proven track record of producing high ‑ quality deliverables that meet client expectations and reflect a clear understanding of their needs. Confident and credible in meetings and project discussions, you will act as a subject matter expert, providing clear guidance and contributing meaningfully to collaborative decision ‑ making.
Essential
Qualifications and Experience
Level 8 degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline such as:
Civil Engineering
Planning
Physics
Economics
Mathematics
Geography
Or another subject relevant to transport planning
Demonstrable experience delivering major transport planning projects.
Strong technical, analytical, and report‑writing capabilities.
Beneficial
Level 9 postgraduate Master's degree in a relevant field (Transport Planning, Operational Research, Statistics, etc.).
Chartered membership of a relevant professional body.
Project management qualification (e.g., APMP).
Experience working on large‑scale public‑sector infrastructure projects.
Submit your application today and discover what's possible at Tetra Tech RPS Consulting.
In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements. This could include adaptations to work schedules, training approaches, or the physical workspace. Please inform us if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process or in your day-to-day role.
Flexible working options are available in this role, with working patterns agreed collaboratively between employees and line managers to support individual wellbeing and optimal performance
Why join Tetra Tech RPS?
At Tetra Tech RPS, our people are our success. We thrive on solving the problems that matter—whether in urbanisation, natural resources, or sustainability. With a collaborative culture, agile working, and access to some of the brightest minds in the industry, we empower our teams to deliver exceptional outcomes while building fulfilling careers.
In 2023, RPS became part of Tetra Tech, a global leader in consulting and engineering with 30,000 employees across 550 offices in 120+ countries. Together, we combine deep local expertise with global reach, delivering science-led solutions to complex challenges in water, environment, infrastructure, and clean energy. Join us and be part of a connected, forward-thinking community that's shaping a better future.
Recruitment Agencies We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on this list. Please refer to the careers page on our website if you require any further information.