Explore career options in environmental engineering
Here you can find information on career outcomes in the field of environmental engineering.
You can also discover where to look for job vacancies, as well as professional associations, mentoring and international opportunities.
Opportunities
Environmental engineering graduates can design creative engineering solutions and manage key projects associated with environmental protection in the area of air quality, water and wastewater, and waste management. Environmental engineers:
- manage natural resources for a sustainable future
- research and develop new technologies and techniques to improve the environmental acceptability of engineering projects and solve environmental problems
- evaluate the environmental and social impacts of engineering projects
- design and operate processes to treat various wastes to exacting standards
- produce outcomes that are sustainable and acceptable to society.
Career fields
- Waste management
- Site rehabilitation
- Wastewater treatment and reuse
- Air and water quality control
- Environmental management and monitoring
- Natural resources and mining sector
- Resource management
- Construction and manufacturing sector
- Port authorities
- Environmental protection agencies
- Consulting engineering firms
- Renewable energy companies
- Government—local, state and federal
Employment roles
- Design engineer
- Environmental engineer
- Environmental advisor
- Environmental consultant
- Graduate surface water engineer
- Technical support engineer
- Regulated waste treatment technician
- Service coordinator water services
- Project environmental engineer
- Environmental officer
- Hydrology and hydraulics engineer
- Water engineer
Occupation snapshot
Employed
1,600
Future demand
Very strong
Weekly salary
$1,809
Part-time share
18%
This data is based on the occupation profile for environmental engineers retrieved from the Government's Jobs and Skills Australia website and YourCareer website August 2024.
Your employability
In addition to knowledge and skills directly related to your program of study, you will also develop a range of other skills such as teamwork, analytical, communication through academic study, employment, voluntary work, sporting and recreational activities and life experience.
Recognising the value employers place on these skills is an important factor in your graduate job search. You can further develop your employability with these resources:
Vacancies
Excellent resources for writing resumes, cover letters and selection criteria can be found here Information on relevant vacancies:
- CareerHub
- Prosple (formerly Grad Australia)
- Adzuna engineering vacancies
- Australian Defence Force Recruiting
- Australian Public Service recruitment
- Council Jobs for Engineers
- Engineer Jobs
- Hays engineering jobs
- Hudson Engineering Recruitment
- Local government Queensland jobs
- New South Wales Government jobs
- Queensland Government Graduate Portal
- Seek engineering vacancies
- Water Careers
- NRM Jobs (Jobs in environment, water & natural resource management)
Notable alumnus: Cheryl Desha
Griffith University alumnus and professor Cheryl Desha is a leading advocate for resilient urban infrastructure, working with decision-makers to strengthen the sustainability and resilience of cities. As a Fellow of Engineers Australia and Chartered Engineer, Cheryl's work is driven by her understanding of the critical link between humanity and the environment.
At The Cities Research Institute, she leads initiatives that address the growing impacts of climate change, focusing on disaster resilience, food security, and innovative problem-solving inspired by nature. Cheryl's efforts include overseeing Griffith's Disaster and Resilience Management Facility and advancing thought leadership in disaster management, making her a key figure in creating a sustainable and resilient future for communities worldwide.
Job application resources
Craft a stand-out resume and cover letter, and learn how to prepare for job interviews.
Industry insight
Aaron Richardson, a sustainable energy engineering student from Griffith University, has been assisting Wattblock with a detailed energy and water audit for a residential apartment complex in Albion Queensland.
"Working with Wattblock has shown me the many unique opportunities and challenges for sustainable energy engineering in residential apartment developments," Aaron says.
Approach potential employers
Many work opportunities are not advertised, so we recommend approaching potential employers with the aim of researching their needs and how your skills, experience, interests and qualifications could match theirs.
This is called informational interviewing and will benefit you by:
- clarifying your specific career direction
- enhancing your professional network
- increasing your chances of being offered a job.
Industry outlook
The Your Career website includes helpful information such as job descriptions, employment prospects, average weekly earnings and skills requirements. Every job title in the database has a skills section to help you identify and describe essential skills for your future career.
The My Future website also has job descriptions and a useful career insight section.
The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching website has up-to-date information on graduate salaries, especially the Graduate Outlook Survey (GOS) National Report, which contains undergraduate salary figures.
More detailed information is available at the Labour Market Insights portal.
Professional associations
Joining a professional association is a great way to meet people in your field, who can assist you to explore your career options and potentially find employment opportunities. These associations exist in every field of employment and hold regular professional development and networking events. Students are welcome to join.
- Engineers Australia
- Alternative Technology Association
- Australian Institute of Mining & Metallurgy
- Australian Water Association
- The Sustainable Engineering Society
- Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand
Students are welcome to join and often receive a discount on their membership.
Mentoring
The award-winning Industry Mentoring Program provides an excellent opportunity to further develop your employability and build professional networks.
The program is available to students with more than 80CP as well as recent graduates.
Sustainable Development Goals
Griffith University is aligned with the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is committed to fostering quality education and a more equitable and just society, where everyone has a chance to thrive while fostering partnerships for the goals.
Further careers information
Careers counselling
Individual career counselling sessions are available to all current students and recent graduates.
You can book an initial appointment via CareerHub.
Career planning
Our website has an array of career planning resources you can explore at any stage of your student journey.
Career readiness
Check out our Career Readiness site in Learning@Griffith for additional information and resources for your career development learning:
Similar career options
Please note: The content on this webpage is a guide only. Please refer to degree-specific information and accreditation requirements of your profession on the Degree and Course Finder website and with the relevant professional accreditation body for your degree.