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Environmental Engineer Job Description (2026): Duties, Skills and Salary

An environmental engineer designs systems and studies to manage pollution, waste and natural resource use: water treatment, air quality controls, contaminated site cleanup, and permits that keep projects within legal limits. The job blends engineering design with regulatory knowledge, since most projects have to satisfy both.

Environmental engineers work for consulting firms, government agencies, utilities and manufacturers, moving between office work (modeling, permitting, reports) and field work (site assessments, inspections, sampling). A bachelor's degree in environmental or civil engineering is standard, with a PE license expected for senior roles.

Environmental Engineer job description template

Copy it, replace everything in [brackets] and cut what doesn't apply. Keep the requirements to what the job really needs.

Template · replace the [brackets]

Environmental Engineer

[Company] · [City and office days, or remote with the countries or time zones you hire in] · [Full-time]

About [Company]

[Two or three sentences on what your company does, who it serves and why this team matters now.]

About the role

[Company] is hiring an environmental engineer to support [team] on [permitting, remediation, water/air quality] projects. You'll design solutions, prepare regulatory submissions, and help clients or internal teams stay compliant with environmental regulations.

What you'll do

  • Design systems for [water treatment, air emissions control, waste management] on client or internal projects.
  • Conduct site assessments and collect environmental samples (soil, water, air).
  • Prepare permit applications and compliance reports for [state and federal agencies].
  • Analyze data against regulatory standards and recommend corrective actions.
  • Coordinate with regulators, contractors and clients throughout a project's lifecycle.
  • Support remediation projects, including design and oversight of cleanup activities.
  • Stay current on environmental regulations that affect ongoing or planned projects.

What you'll bring

  • Bachelor's degree in environmental, civil or chemical engineering.
  • [X]+ years of experience in environmental engineering or a related field.
  • Working knowledge of [EPA, state] environmental regulations relevant to the role.
  • Experience with site assessment, sampling or permitting processes.
  • Strong technical writing skills for reports and regulatory submissions.
  • Ability to travel to project sites as needed.

Nice to have

  • Professional Engineer (PE) license or progress toward one.
  • Experience with environmental modeling software.
  • Knowledge of [hazardous waste, air quality or water resources] specifically.
  • Experience managing subcontractors or field crews.

What we offer

  • [Pay range: e.g. $X–$Y base salary, plus bonus or equity if offered]
  • [PE license exam support, field travel per diem, health and retirement benefits]
  • [Health cover, retirement or pension plan, paid time off, parental leave]
  • [Work authorization: whether you can sponsor a visa or hire through an employer of record]

[Our process: a recruiter call, a technical interview covering regulations and project experience, and a meeting with the engineering team and project managers.]

[Your equal opportunity statement, and how candidates can ask for adjustments during the process]

Put the pay range in the ad. Several US states, including California, Colorado, New York and Washington, require it in job postings, and the EU Pay Transparency Directive gives applicants the right to know the starting pay or its range before the interview.

Environmental Engineer duties by seniority

What the job usually looks like at each level. Pitch the ad at one level and say which in the title.

Junior

  • Supports site assessments, sampling and data collection under a senior engineer.
  • Drafts sections of permit applications and compliance reports.
  • Learns relevant regulations and the firm's project workflow.

Mid-level

  • Manages assigned projects, from design through permitting and reporting.
  • Communicates directly with regulators and clients on project status.
  • Oversees field work and reviews junior engineers' data and reports.

Senior

  • Leads complex or large-scale projects and holds a PE license.
  • Reviews and stamps technical submissions, taking professional responsibility for them.
  • Mentors engineers and helps win new work through proposals and client relationships.

Environmental Engineer career path

  1. Staff Environmental Engineer
  2. Environmental Engineer
  3. Senior Environmental Engineer
  4. Principal Engineer or Engineering Manager

Environmental engineers typically enter directly from an engineering degree, often with an internship in consulting or government first. Later moves include PE licensure, project management, or specialization in areas like remediation, air quality or water resources.

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Environmental Engineer job description FAQ

What does an environmental engineer do?

Designs systems for managing pollution, waste and water or air quality, conducts site assessments, and prepares the permits and compliance reports that keep projects within environmental regulations.

What skills should an environmental engineer job description require?

A bachelor's degree in environmental, civil or chemical engineering, working knowledge of relevant regulations, experience with site assessment or permitting, and strong technical writing. A PE license is often expected for senior roles.

Do environmental engineers need a PE license?

It depends on the role and seniority. Many junior roles don't require one yet, but senior engineers who stamp or take professional responsibility for submissions typically need a Professional Engineer license.