Five careers for Sustainable Process Engineering graduates

Here are some of the careers you could find yourself working in:

Project Engineer 

Create, develop, and manage engineering projects 

Project engineers manage the technical and engineering parts of a project. You'll create solutions using technical and project management skills.  

Your responsibilities could include: 

• developing sustainable, technological solutions 
• creating strategies that pollute less and use fewer resources 
• finding ways to create renewable energy sources 
• studying the environmental impact of proposed projects 
• finding and using earth friendly materials 
• following environmental regulations and ethical practices 
• working on the job site and in the office 

You may want to apply for professional registration to move forward in your career. 

With work experience you could move into mid-level and senior project engineer roles. Focus on developing your problem-solving, communication and leadership skills. 

Design Engineer 

Solve sustainability problems through design and innovation 

A design engineer focuses on the engineering design process to develop ideas for new or existing products or systems. You’ll find design problems and create solutions while incorporating environmental considerations, using technical and creative skills. 

Your responsibilities could include: 

• improving the efficiency and performance of systems 
• finding design problems and production issues 
• creating new products or systems, or improving existing ones 
• finding modern sustainability challenges and creating innovative solutions 
• developing design briefs with colleagues and clients        
• using computer-aided design (CAD) software to create designs
• making sure the design is sustainable, cost-effective and will work 
• guiding the transition from concept to production 

People who thrive in this role have a blend of artistic design skills and technical skills.  

Focus on developing your analytical, people management and communication skills to move into more senior roles.

Operations Engineer 

Check, maintain and repair systems and plant items 

Operations engineers are the day-to-day troubleshooters who keep production moving. You’ll spend your time checking systems, looking for ways to increase sustainability, efficiency, and reliability. You’ll also manage technical issues when things go wrong.   

Your responsibilities could include: 

• examining, maintaining, and repairing plant equipment
• working in IT, manufacturing or utilities 
• using troubleshooting skills to analyse and solve problems  
• explaining information to audiences who may not be technical  
• keeping the workplace safe and efficient 
• following regulations  
• working with other departments to improve systems and products 
• creating solutions that improve a system’s performance 
• finding issues that may impact production  
• using research and writing skills to share suggestions, observations, and results  

Postgraduate study, or specialised certification or licenses in fields such as IT, transport or production may help you find higher-paid positions.     

Research and Development Engineer 

Be on the front line of new ideas, projects, and technologies 

Being in R&D puts you at the starting line to new ideas. First, you’ll research and test concepts for new products or services. You might also find ways to improve existing ones. The knowledge you gain will help you turn those concepts into reality. 

Responsibilities of the role include: 

• being able to translate design concepts into physical objects 
• creating new concepts for products 
• improving and redesigning existing products 
• writing technical documents and reports 
• overseeing product testing and quality assurance 
• improving product performance and efficiency  
• using design software, including computer-aided design (CAD) software
• understanding materials science and engineering principles  

An understanding of marketing and design will help your creative process. 

With work experience you could move into mid-level and senior R&D engineer roles. 

Policy Maker 

Make a difference by helping to shape policy and decision making  

Policy makers bring political ideas to life and come from many career backgrounds. As an engineer working in policy, your technical ability as well as research and problem-solving skills can help ensure policies are effective and meet the needs of society and the environment. 

Responsibilities of the role include: 

• using engineering approaches to analyse issues, find risks and solve problems  
• working in government ministries, agencies, and local councils 
• promoting practices that help society without harming the environment 
• using communication skills to build relationships with colleagues from other career backgrounds 
• writing briefings and reports 
• conducting research and evaluating findings  
• developing policy solutions 
• translating technical language for non-technical people 

The UK government is focused on expanding the diversity of ideas and experiences when developing policies. They encourage people from all career backgrounds, including engineering, to think about working in policy in the civil service.  

Gaining experience will help you progress into more senior roles in policy departments.

Curious about your future in Engineering? 

Apply to study our BEng (Hons) in Sustainable Process Engineering and see where it could take you.