Sustainability Engineer Job Kit

with STEM™ CAREERS JOB KIT

SUSTAINABILITY ENGINEER

Insights and information on careers in sustainability engineering

Deanna Hood

QUT Engineering graduate and Engineers Australia Young Professional Engineer of the Year

I was the only girl in my Year 11 physics class, but I’m glad that I never let that stop me. You only have to be curious and motivated to learn. No one starts out an expert. As well as providing a top-notch industryfocused engineering education, QUT has a fantastic support group for women and gender-diverse students that seems to never stop growing.

Become a future leader

Study engineering

Sustainability engineering is among the top 25 emerging occupations in Australia (National Skills Commission, 2021) .

dr david mccarthy Professor + CHAIR of SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT

Discover sustainability engineering

are already actively transitioning traditional technologies to sustainable solutions. This provides invaluable exposure to how companies at the forefront of this change are adapting.

Finding sustainable solutions to the big problems

Sustainability engineers use specialised skills to tackle some of the biggest problems we’re facing, including climate change, population growth and access to clean drinking water. This job is about building things that have a very low environmental impact, while also providing the same fantastic improvements that engineering can bring to human life. We just focus on doing them in a very sustainable way. With opportunities in water management, renewable power, biofuel development, electric vehicle manufacturing and sustainable process engineering, it’s an incredibly diverse field. As we transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources and embrace a more sustainable future, all future engineers will need to have a sustainability mindset when approaching a problem to solve.

At QUT, we know this is the future of the engineering industry and our students can choose from a range of disciplines including electrical and renewable power, and chemical and sustainable process engineering. They have the opportunity to have practical experiences while learning, with fantastic real-life opportunities like exclusive internships with leading industry companies who

The questions we need to answer are big. We need to think holistically about how we can make our cities more sustainable. Most of the world is going to live in urban centres in the future, but we won’t have enough water for them to survive. We need to come up with solutions like water recycling and water harvesting to make sure these cities remain prosperous.

During my own undergraduate degree I became

aware that we could use natural solutions that exist all around us to fix problems that we as humans have created. Harnessing all that awesomeness in the environment to create a better world for future generations - how perfect!

Every engineering project has a sustainability component, and that will only increase in the future, so the opportunities to create positive impact are huge. The future looks bright.

Dr David McCarthy, Professor and Chair of Sustainable Urban Water Management, QUT School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

the opportunities to create positive impact are huge. The future looks bright”

Reducing our environmental impact to build a better future for everyone is at the core of sustainability engineering

Bachelor of Science (Mathematics and Physics), Monash University

Bachelor of Engineering (Civil), Monash University

PHD in Civil Engineering, Monash University

Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor, Monash University

Professor of Sustainable Urban Water Management, QUT

ENGINEERING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Sustainability engineers use STEM skills on the daily to help make the world a better place

With an increasing global demand for renewable energy systems and sustainable processes, now’s the time to become a sustainability engineer. There’s a huge range of engineering paths that can set you up for this career – from electrical, environmental and chemical to civil, mechanical, aerospace and software engineering!

It’s no secret that we need to live more sustainably, and that’s where sustainability engineers come in. Engineers are problem solvers, and from climate change to water availability and the

GET THAT ROLE!

With so many different roles in sustainability engineering, you’ll be spoilt for choice!

✔ Sustainability consultant or analyst

✔ Environmental engineer in mining, energy or civil/infrastructure

✔ Solar and battery design engineer

✔ Clean water, biofuels and recycling process engineer

✔ Process engineer in food or materials manufacturing

✔ Renewable energy engineer

✔ Electric vehicle designer

✔ Civil engineer (e.g. recycled pavements)

✔ Software engineer (e.g working at a solar start-up)

✔ Aerospace engineer (e.g. creating sustainable materials or fuels)

overuse of natural resources, we’re facing some pretty major challenges. With the move towards a net-zero emissions future, there’s important work to be done. Helping reduce our carbon footprint through renewable energy solutions (like photovoltaics, wind power, solar thermal power, and wave energy) is just one of the areas you could work in as a sustainability engineer. So do you want to help build a better future?

- Danielle Lucas

THE RIGHT FIT?

Skills you’ll need to rock it as a sustainability engineer

✔ Problem Solving

✔ excellent communication

Spotlight on solar

Australia has huge solar energy potential and engineers are working to make it more efficient and affordable across all stages: from the design and supply of solar systems to transforming the electricity grid to be more adaptable to solar energy input.

✔ Time management

✔ A curious and inquiring mind

✔ solid computer skills

✔ Great at teamwork

PROFESSIONAL PROBLEM SOLVER

As a packaging development engineer at Mars, Imogen Kerr is part of the team helping to deliver on Mars’ goal for 100% of its plastic packaging to be recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025.

After studying process engineering at QUT, Imogen worked in the oil and gas industry before applying for the Mars Graduate Program. Now working in the food industry, her role gives her the chance to be “super hands-on” and exercise her skills.

“It’s not just spreadsheets. It’s also solving problems and bringing products to life,” she says. Scan the QR code to hear more about Imogen’s experiences at QUT!

STUDY PATHS

Want to engineer a better future? Here are just some of the undergraduate degrees QUT offers to get you on your way to becoming a sustainability engineer:

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical and Renewable Power)

With this degree, you’ll develop the skills and knowledge to engineer sustainable solutions for our planet’s urgent renewable energy targets.

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical and Sustainable Process)

Learn how to harness the power of green technologies to engineer cleaner processes that create sustainable energy, materials, minerals, foods and consumer goods.

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical)

Utilise the potential of new and emerging technologies to design the electrical systems and devices of our future.

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical)

Apply the latest technologies to design and maintain the machinery and mechanical systems of our future.

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (civil)

Design safe, economical and environmentally sound infrastructure for the community and use smart technologies to adapt our cities to meet environmental challenges.

Let’s talk MONEY!

The sustainability engineering space is a high-demand sector – it’s one of the top 25 emerging fields in Australia according to the 2021 National Skills Commission.

Whether you’re working on green technologies, environmental projects, biofuels, recyclables, or something else, careers in this sector demand attractive salaries.

You can expect a starting salary of around $78K* and earn $100 - $120K* by mid-career.

Where could you work?

Sustainability engineers are in high demand, making them super employable. Here are some of the areas you could work:

• Electricity, gas, water and waste services (e.g. AGL, Urban Utilities)

• Renewable energy companies (e.g. Acciona, Tesla)

• Mining & resources (e.g. Rio Tinto, Newmont Corporation)

• Clean water, biofuels and recycling processes

• Engineering companies

• Manufacturing companies (foods, chemicals, materials)

• Environmental and sustainability consultancy firms

• Academia

• Technology startups

Combine the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) with a specialised Master’s degree

Join an exclusive group of high achievers in engineering. Make yourself more employable with skills that are in high demand by the world’s leading engineering corporations.

• Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/ Master of Sustainable Infrastructure

• Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) / Master of Renewable Energy

• Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) / Master of Advanced Manufacturing

Climate coder

Want to know the first step on Bede’s path to combatting climate change? Studying a double degree in information technology and electrical engineering at QUT. They were a big part of step two as well, as they helped set him up with his first ever gig in software engineering.

“QUT actually connected me directly with Microsoft through the recruiting relationship that they had, and I landed my first job out of college in the US,” he explains.

Bede worked at Microsoft for 11 years, where he gained heaps of experience in UX framework design, API design, graphics and text rendering systems, input systems, and client performance. He was even the principal software engineering lead on HoloLens, an augmented reality headset.

He then went on to co-found Shelf Engine, which uses machine learning to forecast, automate and optimise the grocery industry supply chain, drastically reducing food waste and increasing productivity and sales.

“I see software as a tool for solving problems,” he says. “One of the biggest problems facing our community is climate change. And one of the biggest contributors to climate change is food waste, given the huge amount of resources that are required to produce food.”

Making an impact and creating change drives Bede’s day-to-day work at Shelf Engine. “We have a team of like-minded individuals who are all aligned on a common goal and are passionate and talented. You can do some great things and have a huge impact on really important problems.” – Louise Meers

bede jordan Software engineer + Entrepreneur

You can do some great things and have a huge impact on really important problems”

Bede Jordan is using his software engineering skills to eliminate food waste – one of the biggest contributors to climate change.

A day in the life of a… SUSTAINABILITY ENGINEER

Adouble degree in civil and environmental engineering from QUT meant career options were diverse for Annabel when she graduated. After a brief stint in construction project management, she pursued a passion for the environment, completing a graduate program with Urban Utilities, a large water services organisation in Brisbane.

With a focus on sustainability, Annabel’s role involves identifying risks to the environment and to the liveability of the community. She develops strategies to keep services sustainable and affordable, and to protect water from risks like climate change, floods and bushfires.

“It’s rewarding work and a great time for environmental engineering,” she says.

Danielle Lucas

Here’s a typical day on the job for Annabel:

6am

Off to the gym first thing!

7am

I’m an early riser, so I start work early. If I’m working in the office I have coffee with the team – it’s a great team-building exercise.

7.45am

Time to prepare for the day ahead with some pre-reading to refresh myself for meetings.

8.30am

Workshops and meetings begin. I work from both the office and home, but once a fortnight I’ll base myself at one of our treatment plants to meet with the operational part of the business.

10am

My role is quite advisory so I meet with lots of different groups including civil engineers working on water pipelines and new treatment

plants. We’ll discuss environmental solutions to make the project better for the community. What materials are they using? Can we make it liveable for the community?

11am

I might meet with our legal department or state and local government reps. We discuss customer expectations and how we can deliver good outcomes for the community.

12.30pm

Lunch and chat with colleagues – I find these conversations really useful!

2pm

If I don’t have any afternoon meetings, I’ll use the time to keep myself up-to-date on current affairs and anything that might affect our customers.

3pm

I re-gather with the team towards the end of the day to prepare for the next morning.

4pm

An early start means it’s time to finish.

6pm

I’ll play a game of netball or join a work social sports team like touch footy.

–

As a sustainability and risk strategist, Annabel Hofstee develops environmental solutions to help her community now and in the future

It’s rewarding work and a great time for environmental engineering”

Futures Strategist - Sustainability and Risk & Co-Chair Young Water Professionals, Urban Utilities Environmental and Planning Officer, Urban Utilities Engineering Graduate Program, Urban Utilities

Project Coordinator and Estimator, ATG Projects

Graduate Certificate (Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, QUT

Bachelor of Engineering (honours) (Civil and Environmental double major), QUT

Does

MOVIE NIGHT

Update your watchlist, settle in with some epic snacks, and let the inspiration flow

AN INCONVENIENT SEQUEL:

TRUTH TO POWER (Apple TV)

This follow-up doco looks at the progress made to tackle climate change and examines how close we are to a renewable energy revolution.

DOWN TO EARTH WITH ZAC EFRON (Netflix)

Actor Zac Efron journeys around the world with his friend, wellness expert Darin Olien, in a travel documentary series that explores healthy, sustainable ways to live.

2040 (Apple TV and DocPlay)

Award-winning Aussie doco maker Damon Gameau imagines the world by 2040, if we embraced all the best solutions available to us now. From renewable energy and self-driving cars to developing green spaces to make cities more liveable, be prepared to feel inspired to make change!

CATCHING THE SUN (YouTube)

This doco looks at the transition towards a clean energy future through solar power, told through the stories of diverse personalities including workers and entrepreneurs in America and China.

Electives checklist

Science and maths are key subjects, but being able to communicate well is important too!

✔ English ✔ Maths ✔ Physics

✔ Chemistry ✔ Engineering

✔ Earth and Environmental Science

Pop these online resources into your search engine for further inspo

• How to become an Environmental Engineer (Good Universities Guide)

• Clean Energy Council Project Tracker

• The Sustainable Engineering Society

• Electric Vehicles - Australian Renewable Energy Agency

• Global Australia: Clean Energy and Renewables

• Engineers Without Borders Australia

Hit follow on these accounts! Clean Energy Council

An industry association with more than 1000 member companies in the clean energy sector.

@cleannrgcouncil

@clean.energy.council

Engineers Australia @EngAustralia

@engaustralia

Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)

@ARENA_aus

@australianrenewableenergya7377

Engineers Without Borders Australia @EWB_Australia

@EWBAustralia

Why Study Engineering? www. qut.edu.au/study/ engineering/why-study-engineering