Graduate Sustainability Consultant Northrop Consulting Engineers

ECADIN; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentor program

Professional development support

Training and accreditation funding

Exposure to diverse projects

Hybrid working and flexible hours

Parental leave and wellbeing support

Team events and social activities

Job summary

Northrop is seeking a motivated graduate to develop technical skills in sustainability, energy modelling, and environmental design. You’ll own real project deliverables and work with experienced consultants on diverse projects.

The role offers mentorship, structured professional development, and exposure to health, education, commercial, and residential sectors. Hybrid working and flexible hours support work-life balance.

Qualifications

• Degree in Sustainability Studies, Sustainable Building/Design, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or Renewable Energy.
• Exposure to sustainability modelling and building performance tools is desirable.
• Strong communication and client-facing collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform energy, carbon, daylight, thermal comfort, water balance, and life cycle assessment modelling across projects.
• Test and improve building performance using DesignBuilder, NatHERS, eTool, and similar tools.
• Support submissions for Green Star, NABERS, NatHERS, BASIX benchmarks.
• Read architectural/engineering drawings to identify optimization opportunities.
• Research regenerative strategies for buildings, precincts, and infrastructure.
• Collaborate with external PMs and internal Building Services teams.

Skills

Sustainability design

Modelling aptitude

Consulting mindset

Regulatory familiarity

Collaborative work

Education

Degree in Sustainability Studies or related field

Degrees in Sustainable Building/Design or Engineering

Tools

DesignBuilder

NatHERS tools

eTool

3D/energy simulation software

Job description

About the job

We’re looking for a motivated graduate with some practical experience in building sustainability, energy modelling or environmental design who is ready to develop their technical skills while taking ownership of real project deliverables!

Why Northrop

At Northrop, you’ll contribute to real-world projects from day one, work alongside experienced consultants, and be trusted with responsibility early in your career. You’ll join a team that is genuinely passionate about sustainable design, regenerative practices, and building a climate-resilient future.

We’re an employee-owned engineering and sustainability consultancy with over 500 people across NSW, ACT, QLD, and VIC. Because we are employee-owned, our leaders are accessible, decisions are made locally by people who understand the work, and good ideas can come from anywhere.

We’ve been recognised by Prosple as one of Australia’s Top 100 Graduate Employers, earning workplace awards across overall satisfaction, employee engagement, training, green initiatives, and social responsibility.

What We Provide

• A dedicated mentor and buddy, plus a strong graduate network
• Monthly career conversations and structured professional development
• Internal and external training, with financial support towards professional accreditations
• Exposure to different projects, sectors (health, education, commercial, industrial, residential, and precincts), and disciplines
• Industry-benchmarked salary with annual reviews
• Genuine flexibility, including hybrid working and flexible hours
• Paid parental leave and wellbeing support
• A supportive culture with regular social activities and company events

There isn’t one Northrop career path. We’ll give you the experience, support, and opportunities to build one that works for you.

What You’ll Own

Support Northrop’s Climate Action goals! As part of our Integrated Buildings division, you will:

• Perform energy, carbon, daylight, thermal comfort, water balance, and life cycle assessment (LCA) modelling across diverse building projects.
• Utilise 3D modelling, simulation, and rating software—such as DesignBuilder, NatHERS tools, eTool, and Excel-based analytical tools—to test, verify, and improve building performance.
• Support project submissions for key benchmarks including Green Star, NABERS, NatHERS, BASIX
• Read and interpret architectural and engineering drawings to identify opportunities for optimized sustainable performance and prepare certification documentation.
• Research best-practice regenerative strategies for buildings, precincts, and infrastructure.
• Work closely with external project managers and architects, as well as Northrop’s internal Building Services (Mechanical, Electrical, Hydraulic), Civil, and Structural teams.

What You Bring

We are seeking curious, collaborative, and analytical graduates who light up when talking about sustainable design and making the built environment better for people and the planet. You thrive in a vibrant office environment, valuing the rapid learning, mentorship, and everyday connection that comes from collaborating face-to-face with experienced team members.

Ideal Qualifications & Skills

• Educational Background: Degree in Sustainability Studies, Sustainable Building/Design, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or Renewable Energy. (Studies focusing directly on Sustainability and the built environment are strongly preferred).
• Technical & Modelling Aptitude: You enjoy technical modelling, possess strong software skills, or have direct exposure to tools such as DesignBuilder, NatHERS software, eTool, or similar 3D/energy simulation software.
• Consulting Mindset: Prior exposure or a strong interest in the consulting side of engineering—working fast-paced, communicating clearly with clients, and collaborating across disciplines.
• Industry Framework Familiarity: Exposure to regulatory frameworks, compliance requirements, and rating tools (NCC, Green Star, NABERS, NatHERS, BASIX, Passivhaus, etc.).
• Work Ethic & Values: Strong communication skills, curiosity to challenge convention, a collaborative mindset, and readiness to work from our CBD office.

Who Can Apply?

• You have completed your university degree in Australia and are ready for an immediate (ASAP) start.
• Work Rights: Applicants must hold Full Working Rights in Australia (Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or New Zealand Citizen).

We strongly encourage applications from women and underrepresented groups in engineering and sustainability. We are committed to building a diverse team where everyone can thrive.

Northrop is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people of all genders, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.