Environmental Engineer Job Kit

CAREERS

withSTEM JOB KIT ™

Environmental

Engineer Impact global issues such as climate change, water security and sustainability

UNSW Engineering

School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

CRICOS Provider Code 00098G

FOREWORD

r o f s l l i k s t Smar d l r o w e l b a n a sustai

Find out more here or scan

gineering is on the rise en al nt me on vir en s: nd tla we From dune buggies to

E

ruth fisher, SENIOR LE CTURER ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEE RIN G AN D SUSTAINA UNSW SCHOOL OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL EN BILITY GINEERING

is about impact. nvironmental engineering eer, you’re gin As an environmental en ing and ild bu , involved in designing tructure, which ras inf ble managing sustaina t negative environmental means you can help preven pens. impact, before it even hap ke a real difference at the ma to You’re empowered ing far beyond just start of a project – reach it’s done. measuring damage after ental engineering at Our approach to environm isciplinary. You’ll learn UNSW is wide and multid skills – like design, maths all your core engineering en dive into ecology, and problem solving. Th , and law. Plus you’ll learn biology, chemistry, policy ecosystems and how people interact with r solutions that benefit ou infrastructure, and design . ies munit environment and our com m environmental law fro g hin ryt eve rn You’ll lea ski – lls that will help you to good communication it matters most. inf luence change where

Bigger picture, bigger impa ct

At UNSW, environment al engineers are based in the School of Civil and En vironmental Engineering, which gives us unique access to infrastructure projects – think green transport, flood management and air pollution control. Ou r worldclass facilities at the UNSW Water Research Centre and Water Resea rch Laboratory make UNSW a leader in water management. As a student, you can work on projects around wastewater, wetlands, coa stal engineering, mangrove modelling, fish -friendly dams and more.

Environmental engineer ing is a truly global pursuit, with job opportun ities all over the world. If you care about people, the planet and using smart science to drive change, then I highly recommend environmental engineer ing as a career where you can do all that, and more.

You won’t just study the problem. You’ll be empowered to design the solution.

IMAGES: SUPPLIED

Choose a career where you can work with people, protect nature and have a big impact shaping a better future” Bachelor of Applied Science (Biology), University of Sydney Master of Engineering Science (Water, Wastewater and Waste Engineering), UNSW

Ruth Fisher, Senior Lectu rer Environmental Engineer ing and Sustainability UNSW Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical and Biomolecular Enginee University of Sydney PhD (Environmental Engineering), UNSW

ring),

Senior Lecturer, Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW

Check out CareerswithSTEM.com for more insights, information, inspiration and advice about environmental engineering careers!

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ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER

DEEP DIVE

S ’ W O R R O M O T DESIGN SUSTAINABLE Y A D O T S N O I T SOLU eer is rewarding in every way Being an environmental engin

Simply the best UNSW’s engineering faculty consistently ranks as the best in Australia. You’ll get hands-on experience, access to global research, industry placements and flexible double degree options.

ual Business aEM,sCO-us FOUNDER OF

WE ASKED JANET SAL FOOTPRINT LAB, WHY CLIMATE TECH STARTUP IRONMENTAL ENGINEER ENV AN NG BEI ES LOV SHE

Hey Janet, why environmental engineering?

Because people listen to engineers. So many technical solutions to environmental issues exist and yet don’t make it in society. I want to understand these solutions better, and work to get them into society at scale.

Choose this career if you ...

Can you tell us a bit about Footprint Lab? Footprint Lab converts environmental datasets into actionable data. This helps businesses see where they should take action.

It’s changing the way we spend, lend and invest.

✔ Want to solve big challenges like climate change, waste and water security

How did you get to this point?

I did a Bachelor of Environmental Engineering and a Master of Engineering Science at UNSW. My first jobs involved environmental analysis, then I worked with the United Nations to provide scientific evidence to support policy decisions around international environmental issues.

✔ Like science, maths, business, law and communication

You worked at the UN?!

✔ Want to design multidisciplinary solutions that protect the planet

You’d be surprised how many UN officials are engineers. I worked on everything from green buildings to sustainable tourism, circular fashion, reducing food waste and sustainability in eCommerce.

This was classic problem-constraints-solution engineering thinking, even though it wasn’t a typical engineering field.

✔ Care about social impa – but don’t necessarily wact nt to be an activist

What’s a day in your life right now?

IMAGES: SUPPLIED / SHUTTERSTOCK

As a start-up founder, I do everything from ensuring Footprint Lab is constantly collecting and curating data, to identifying potential new markets, to speaking at events, to regular business stuff like financial planning and hiring.

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

✔ Want a job where you work with people, use creative thinking and make a difference

Where can I find out more?

Check me out on YouTube here

On the up • Environmental engineering is one of the Top 15 Fastest Growing Jobs.

• Climate change mitigation is one of the top three Most Transformative Trends.

• Environmental stewardship entered the top 10 Fastest Growing Skills for the first time in 2025.

Source: World Economic Forum

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Degree snapshot Thinking of studying a Bachelor of Environmental Engineering (Honours) at UNSW? Core subjects include

Engineering Design and Innovation and Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability.

In demand As an environmental engineer, your future is full of choice – and impact. Ad d value to industry and the environment in any of these example roles:

Electives like Coastal

Engineering and Groundwater Resource Investigation mean you can specialise or stay broad.

Capstone units like Planning

Sustainable Infrastructure mean you’ll work on a real urban or regional project.

Think sustainable water supply, innovative waste management, efficient energy and green transport design.

ALSO you’ll benefit from industry

placements, opportunities for travel as part of your coursework, and a multidisciplinary approach, with courses in engineering, science, law, management and more.

• Restorative engineer

Want it all?

Environmental engineers have huge career versatility.

Plus you’ll have hands-on experience in these Skills On The Rise:

1. Creative thinking 2. Analytical thinking 3. Technological literacy

W hat to stud at high schooyl

✔ Maths (the hi gher the better ) ✔ Chemistr y ✔ Biolog y and/or physics wou ld be usef ul If you like scienc e and solv ing problem s, you’re in!

• Blue-green infrastructure specialist • Circular economy consultant •W ater and wastewater treatment expert • Air quality engineer •M ining environmental manager • Contaminated land engineer

4. Curiosity and lifelong learning 5. Flexibility and agility 6. Systems thinking 7. AI and big data

How much?

A typical environmental engineer earns an average of $108K a year *Source: Indeed.com

m Source: World Economic Foru

Scholarships to watch • UNSW Women in Engineering Scholarship • UNSW Engineering Rural Scholarship Find out more At scholarships.unsw.edu.au or scan 5

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER

REAL PEOPLE Engineering course demonstr ator, high school tutor

Engineering a greener future

UNSW Women in or Engineering Ambassad Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award (2023)

ering UNSW Women in Engine hip (2024) Excellence Scholars

WORDS: SASKIA HORGAN-CATCHPOLE | IMAGES: SUPPLIED

ineering Taste UNSW Faculty of Eng rship recipient and la ho Sc rch ea Res of rcher (2025) undergr aduate resea

Claudia Lenzner is tackling sustainability, clean water and social justice – all through environmental engineering.

claudia lenzner UNSW ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING STUDENT

W

W CIVIL AND SE AND SPOKE AT THE UNS CLAUDIA HELPED ORGANI Y WOMEN IN CIVIL NETWORKING NIGHT. ERING SOCIET ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINE

one path? Originally ho says you have to pick just , Claudia Lenzner enrolled in civil engineering lay in sustainability and discovered her true pas sion switch to environmental water systems. She made the ed back. engineering and never look tal double degree in Environmen a g dyin stu now is Claudia gy) at polo hro Ant and ogy ciol Arts (So Engineering (Honours) and in par t due to my dream of UNSW. “I chose engineering of in par t due to the possibility becoming an astronaut, and says. she ,” way ds-on and practical solving real problems in a han

Student life

student her study has been UNSW’s Claudia says a highlight of tal men iron Env ool of Civil and society net work. “The Sch ial C) hosts all kinds of fun soc VSO (CE iety Soc Engineering

I love being challenged to see ne perspectives, think w critically and creati and discover whole wvely, of science and technoorlds logy!”

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

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activities, as well as diversity and inclusion events such as a Blood Drive and Women in Civil Networking Night.”

Plus, there are opportunities to be part of student humanitarian engineering projects. “I recently travelled to regional NSW to teach STEM workshops with the UNSW Engineers Without Borders team,” Claudia says. “I’ll be travelling to the Solomon Islands in a couple of months’ time as part of a humanitarian engineering student project, working on water infrastructure in the Solomon Islands. We are hoping to make a real difference in people’s lives.”

Claudia also plays hockey for UNSW and will be travelling to the Gold Coast for Unigames. “UNSW sport has been a great way to make friends in other faculties.”

In her engineering studies, Claudia looks at wastewater, transport and land restoration; in her arts degree, she’s looking at social issues like gender, power and inequality.

Claudia knows her future career in humanitarian and environmental engineering will make a difference. Whether it’s focusing on disaster relief, environmental restoration and protection, or water infrastructure in vulnerable countries, she’s excited to put her passion to work.

Council queen

is engineering a smarter city UNSW graduate Erica Deegan

A

gineer Erica s a kid, environmental en e in nature. Now tim ing nd Deegan loved spe rking to support our she spends her days wo societ y. natural habitat and our UNSW with a Bachelor m fro ng After graduati menta l) and Bachelor of of Engineering (Environ ca’s career has taken her Science (Geography), Eri d a passion for beaches an all over Australia. With rip , sta l sand movement water, she’s studied coa ve models and more. wa currents, riverban ks, City of Launceston, Now Erica works with the nsport, water and leading a team across tra ent for more than 70,000 infrastructure developm unceston, built on a flood residents. In a city like La meet, flood management plain where three rivers is a big part of the job. e neglected and “On a global scale, we hav ins,” says Erica, pla od over-developed our flo improving her cit y’s who is now focused on ts include better urban water ways. Projec system protection and water conser vation, eco across the cit y. improved sustainability

erica deegan, senior leader Infrastructure and En gineering, City of Launceston

Day in the life 8am

WORDS: CASSIE STEEL | IMAGES: SUPPLIED /CITY OF LAUNCESTON

Go Basser!

SW gave her the Erica says studying at UN career. “Some of her h practical skills to launc the hands-on-learning my best memories were andouts were mu ltiexperiences,” she says. “St Hawkesbury River.” day field trips along the college (“Go As House President of her dent ambassador, Erica Basser!”) and a UNSW stu st of her uni experience. absolutely made the mo s on UNSW exchange She even spent six month gham in the UK. to the University of Nottin al engineering Erica says environment l difference. rea a ke ma empowers her to al engineering tackle “Careers in environment ng problems facing our some of the most pressi s. “We help, move and communities,” Erica say gh challenges, solving guide communities throu problems along the way.”

Walk to work while listening to a leadership podcast

8:30am “I start the day by considering what I want to achieve, before preparing for upcoming meetings.”

10am In meetings, like discussing the redevelopment of Launceston’s CBD

12:30pm Lunch with the team and a walk

1:30pm Inspect a section of the flood levee system.

I love that I can see th work out and about in the citeyimpact of my where I live” Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental) / Bachelor of Science (Geography), UNSW Water Engineer, City of Launceston

Project Engineer, UNSW Water Research Laboratory

Team Leader, Water, City of Launceston

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4pm Dedicated focus time (“with a cup of tea!”)

Environmental engineer, Syrinx Environmental

Senior Leader Infrastructure and Engineering, City of Launceston

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER

Get the job!

Get inspired to solve environme ntal challenges

Peek behind the scenes Arup | Graduate Tour | Environmental Engineering (YouTube)

Watch

Take a tour of engineering firm Arup with a UNSW environmental engineering grad.

WALL-E This dystopian Disney classic looks at what might happen when waste management systems fail.

Environmental Engineer | a day in the field (YouTube)

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Head to Mexico for a day with environmental engineer Natalie Gayoso.

Ever wished food would rain from the sky?

This shows that even the most wellmeaning of new technologies require assessment for their long-term environmental impacts.

Check out Project Halo

UNSW’s Professor Will Glam ore is working to restore Fiji’s mangroves as part of his UNS W environmental engineering rese arch.

To read this job kit online scan here

The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind Based on the true story of William Kamkwamba, a schoolboy from a village in Malawi who builds a windmill to power the town’s broken water pump.

Follow Engineers Without Borders

Want the job?

Be like the environment

Australia

Travel, engineering and practic al projects that help humanity? Yes please.

thrive thanks to daptable: Our ecosystems ✔A ’ll also need to diversity and adaptation. You ptable and be multidisciplinary, highly ada new. always ready to try something y moving esilient: Nature is constantl ✔R ds, fires and forward, even in the face of floo resilient, able disturbance. You’ll need to be . to find solutions and fix issues recycles ✔ Efficient: Nature reuses and with minimum everything. Solving problems is pretty waste and maximum efficiency much your job description.

The backyard scientist

Do try this at home. Experim ents with everyday items involving eng ineering and environmental principles.

UNSW Water Research Lab oratory

WORDS: SAM WHEELER | IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK

Check out what UNSW’s wat er engineering research team have been pos ting on Facebook.

Get involved

UNSW Civil • What’s it like at a first year Society g and Environmental Engineerin gst it on am t ge d an t ou d camp? Fin ne photo • Love beaches? Snap a coastli ap, Sn ast for citizen science app Co Professor founded by UNSW Associate ach Be SW UN Mitch Harley from the up Gro Safety Research

Game

Terraria: Download from ST EAM

Learn about terraforming, biom e management and resource optimisation in this action-adventure sandbox gam e.

SimCity: Download from EA

Manage power, waste, transpo rtat

ion and pollution in your sim ulated city.

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This edition was published on 15 August 2025.