Principal Environmental Scientist – Contaminated Land - Relocate to Darwin

AECO; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM is seeking an experienced Principal Environmental Scientist to lead contaminated land investigations and remediation projects from Darwin. This senior role offers hybrid work options and the chance to deliver high‑quality technical work while guiding clients and internal teams.

You will manage investigations and reporting, develop site strategies, and mentor other professionals, contributing to growth in Defence, infrastructure, and government projects across Australia.

Qualifications

• Approximately 10+ years of experience in contaminated land consulting, environmental science, environmental engineering, hydrogeology or related field.
• Strong knowledge of contaminated land investigation, assessment, remediation and risk management.
• Experience planning and delivering field investigations and preparing high-quality technical reports.
• Understanding of relevant contaminated land legislation, regulatory requirements, industry standards and guidance.
• Experience managing projects, budgets, programs, subcontractors and technical deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver contaminated land investigations, assessments and remediation projects.
• Provide senior technical advice on complex contaminated land and environmental management matters.
• Prepare and review technical reports, proposals, tender submissions and client correspondence.
• Develop investigation strategies, conceptual site models, sampling programs and remediation approaches.
• Manage projects from scoping through delivery with focus on quality, safety, budget and schedule.
• Build trusted relationships with clients, regulators, contractors and internal teams.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to support professional development.
• Contribute to business development and identify new project opportunities.

Skills

Contaminated land

Environmental science

Project leadership

Client engagement

Technical reporting

Education

Environmental science degree

Hydrogeology knowledge

Tools

Security clearance

Job description

Principal Environmental Scientist – Contaminated Land - Relocate to Darwin

• Full-time
• State/Province: Northern Territory
• Business Group: DCS
• Legal Entity: AECOM Australia Pty Ltd
• Business Line: Environment
• Work Location Model: Hybrid
• Operating Group: International
• Primary Location: AU - Darwin, NT - 19C Kitchener Driv

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

"What excites me most about working in the Northern Territory is the opportunity to be part of its growth story. The scale of projects, the diversity of challenges, and the trust placed in people to lead creates an environment where professional development happens faster than anywhere else I've experienced." Matt Ryan,Team Manager - Environment, NT

Come grow with us.

AECOM's environmental practice is dedicated to helping industries, clients and governments meet their environmental responsibilities while protecting the natural environment. We provide advisory and technical services to ensure compliance, manage impacts, and reduce risks, including obtaining permits and approvals, decommissioning and restoring contaminated sites, and tackling climate change challenges and resilience. We focus on preserving habitats, water quality, stakeholder engagement and cultural resources, promoting a holistic approach to environmental impact management at every project stage.

We are seeking an experienced contaminated land professional to join our Environment team in Darwin. This is a senior role suited to someone who enjoys solving complex environmental challenges, delivering high-quality technical work and providing trusted advice to clients.

You will work across a diverse range of projects in the Northern Territory and nationally, supporting clients across Defence, infrastructure, government, energy, resources and property. The role offers the opportunity to combine hands‑on technical work with project leadership, client engagement and contribution to the continued growth of our contaminated land practice.

Considering a move to Darwin? With its tropical lifestyle, vibrant waterfront precinct, strong sense of community and easy access to some of Australia’s most remarkable natural landscapes, Darwin offers a unique place to live and work. Relocation assistance is available to help support your move.

Howyou’llmake a difference

Lead and deliver contaminated land investigations, assessments and remediation projects.

Provide senior technical advice on complex contaminated land and environmental management matters.

Prepare and review technical reports, proposals, tender submissions and client correspondence.

Develop investigation strategies, conceptual site models, sampling programs and remediation approaches.

Manage projects from initial scoping through to delivery, maintaining a strong focus on quality, safety, budget and program.

Build trusted relationships with clients, regulators, contractors and internal project teams.

Provide technical guidance, review and mentoring to support the development of other professionals.

Contribute to business development and help identify new project and client opportunities.

The qualities that help you thrive

The following qualifications and experience are highly desired, but if you don’t tick all the boxes you could still be a perfect fit for this role. Please apply, all applications will be considered.

Approximately 10 or more years of experience in contaminated land consulting, environmental science, environmental engineering, hydrogeology or a related field.

Strong technical knowledge of contaminated land investigation, assessment, remediation and environmental risk management.

Experience planning and delivering field investigations and preparing high-quality technical reports.

A sound understanding of relevant contaminated land legislation, regulatory requirements, industry standards and guidance.

Experience managing projects, budgets, programs, subcontractors and technical deliverables.

The ability to provide clear, practical advice on complex environmental issues.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, with confidence engaging clients, regulators and multidisciplinary teams.

An interest in supporting business development and building long‑term client relationships.

Appropriate tertiary qualifications in environmental science, environmental engineering, geology, hydrogeology or a related discipline.

Ability to obtain and maintain an Australian Government security clearance are required due to the Defence-related nature of some projects.

Ready to push the limits ofwhat’spossible?

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, additional health or mental health needs, and/or neurodiverse conditions. If you require any adjustments during the hiring process, please let us know.

Applications are reviewed as they come in, and the role may close earlier than expected, so if this opportunity sounds like you, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

AECOM is committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

AECOM acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we, our clients and our communities live and workaround Australia. We pay our respects to their cultures and to their Elders — past, present, and emerging. We are committed to connecting to Country in our work through meaningful engagement with First Nations peoples and businesses. Find out more about our Australian Reconciliation Action Plan here:https://aecom.com/au/our-vision-for-reconciliation/.

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public‑and‑private‑sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion – a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation and benefits programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We also provide a robust global well‑being program. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry‑leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.