Principal Environmental Scientist – Contaminated Land

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 Drive

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.

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.

How you’ll make 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

• 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.

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 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.