Consultant

CPCS | Advisors to infrastructure leaders
Better infrastructure solutions. Better lives.

Position details
Title:  Consultant (entry level) 
Status: New full-time, permanent*
Location:  Arlington, Virginia Office (Metropolitan Washington Area)
Travel: Occasional travel is possible for team meetings, client engagements, and professional development opportunities
Annual salary: USD 60,320

Who we are

At CPCS, we’re collaborative, fun, and deeply dedicated advisors that are shaping the development of infrastructure because the world depends on good infrastructure to function. And good infrastructure can look like this:

• Connecting people to family, work, healthcare, education, and more through safe, and reliable transit
• Enhancing the economic competitiveness of urban and rural areas by improving freight system connectivity, especially rail connections.
• Making better use of existing transport infrastructure through policy or regulatory solutions to reduce congestion. 

Our mission is exactly this: Finding the better solution to any given transportation, energy, and infrastructure challenge or opportunity that ultimately affects peoples’ day-to-day lives. Our purpose is clear: Better infrastructure solutions = Better lives. By joining a global employee-owned management consulting firm, you’ll tackle big challenges that shape economies and communities worldwide. 

Headquartered in Canada with offices around the world, our 180 CPCSers have completed over 1,700 projects in 120 countries. On any given day, we could be strategizing ways to reduce road congestion, helping governments modernize their energy sectors, or solving freight transportation challenges. If you thrive on intellectual curiosity, problem-solving, and collaboration, you’ll find your place at CPCS.

To get a feel for what it’s like to join our international team, visit our Careers page, consult our Glassdoor and discover our core beliefs. You can also check our magazine. 
 

The opportunity

Launch your career in management consulting while making a meaningful impact. As an entry level Consultant, you’ll help solve pressing infrastructure challenges, shaping transportation and energy projects that influence lives across the globe. 

You’ll join our Young Professionals Program (YPP), an immersive learning experience managed by our Growth and Operations (GO) team. This program offers hands-on exposure to different areas of our business, allowing you to contribute to local, national, and international projects while sharpening your consulting expertise.

Your responsibilities

As part of our dynamic team, you’ll contribute to key aspects of the project lifecycle in donor agency funded markets under the leadership of our Growth and Operations Vice President. 

In addition, you’ll work with our United States (USA) team, which leads projects across the continental US with a focus on advising transportation agencies and asset owners on cross-cutting strategic, policy, planning, funding, and operations issues in freight, transit, highways, and maritime. This role is focused on the U.S. domestic transportation space.  Upon completion of the Young Professional Program, the expectation is that you would continue your career at CPCS with the USA team. 
  
In this role, you will:

• Support business development by assisting with proposal preparation
• Conduct sectoral analyses using both quantitative data and qualitative research 
• Assist with project management and implementation
• Translate analyses into actionable recommendations
• Collaborate with project teams, partner firms, and clients
• Engage in internal networking to build relationships and advance your development
   

What you bring to the team

• Master’s degree in economics, policy, finance, engineering, geography or other relevant specialization. A master's degree with academic distinction is desirable.
• Experience or interest in consulting and research.
• Focus and passion for U.S. domestic surface transportation systems and policy.
• Interest or experience in learning about challenges in the transport and/or freight and transit sectors.
• Leadership experience acquired through school, work or community involvement.
• Ability to speak and write fluently in English. Fluency in Spanish is an asset.
• Technical skill in Microsoft Office Suite.
• The legal right to work in the United States without needing sponsorship.

This will set you apart from other candidates

• Demonstrates serious entrepreneurial drive 
• Is determined, highly organized, punctual, and proactive 
• is an optimistic and collaborative problem-solver 
• Asks good questions early and eagerly  
• Is flexible, adaptable, and seeks challenges 
• Has interest in professional consulting and wants to learn how to operate a firm 
• Enjoys learning and keeping their skills sharp  
• Welcomes coaching and feedback 

Support for you, professionally and personally

We’re not just about work—we’re about growth, impact, and meaningful connections.

Professional growth: We support your growth at CPCS and professional development by providing training, coaching, mentorship and regular feedback.

Meaningful connection: We believe in engaging collaboratively with passionate, diverse and motivated clients, team members and stakeholders to understand various viewpoints. 

Greater impact: We believe in helping infrastructure leaders make more impactful decisions. Everything we do seeks to enable positive economic, social and environmental impacts.

Competitive compensation: We offer all team members competitive base salaries along with a benefits package that includes superior health and wellness programs. You could be eligible to receive a performance-based bonus. With time and proven excellence, you may be invited to become a company shareholder and benefit from company dividends and profit sharing. We also believe in offering flexible work arrangements and ample, defined time off.
 

Apply today

Thank you for your interest. 

• Applications will be accepted until June 16, 2026
• Only those selected for consideration will be contacted
• Participating in a case study will be required for shortlisted candidates

Submit a cover letter explaining why you’re interested in this role, detailed CV identifying your qualifications, experience along with your post-secondary transcripts. If you have applied to our positions before and already have a profile, please log in here to apply for this position. If you are a new applicant, click Apply below to create your profile and submit your application.

Our Recruitment Process

Our recruitment process includes the following steps:

• Application review: We carefully assess every application
• A video call screening: A quick chat to get to know you better and answer any questions
• Case study: A written test to assess your quantitative analysis and writing skills
• An interview with the hiring team (VP of the division) and potentially other team members: A deeper conversation about your experience, skills, and what excites you about CPCS
• Final discussion: For some roles, we may have an additional step to ensure a great fit
• Offer and onboarding: If it’s a match, we’ll welcome you to the team!

Please be advised that AI technology is used in the interview process for note recording.

Our recruitment practices**
CPCS is committed to equal opportunity employment. We actively invite applications from women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, veterans, and members of underrepresented groups. We follow fair-chance hiring (ban-the-box) and consider all qualified candidates regardless of criminal history. CPCS promotes a workplace where everyone feels safe, heard, and valued. We believe that each person brings unique talents, perspectives, and backgrounds. Discrimination based on race, religion, color, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, marital status, disability status, or any other legally protected characteristic is not tolerated.

CPCS complies with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and all relevant legislation. We'll provide all qualified applicants and employees who have disabilities with reasonable accommodations as required by law. If this is your case, please contact accessibility@cpcs.ca or 1 613-237-2500. Read more about our commitment to accessibility.

Please note:
* Visa sponsorship is not available for this position
** Candidates offered the role will be subject to a background check.