Want to fight climate change and get paid well for it? Engineering might be your dream career. Professor Julien Epps, Dean of Engineering, UNSW, says engineers are key to Net Zero – and the world needs curious, creative change makers like you
Written by Professor Julien Epps Dean of Engineering, UNSW
Want an exciting, well-paid career that tackles climate change head-on? Choose engineering
You’re curious and creative. You care about our planet. You want a high-paying job, a fulfilling career and to work with great people. You’re exactly who we’re looking for at UNSW.
Australian industry is crying out for 60,000 more engineers. As our world races to cut carbon emissions, Net Zero engineering is at the heart of solving the biggest challenge of our time.
For example, at UNSW Engineering we’re working with industry on world-leading solar cell technology, clean fuels, smart energy storage, green transport, innovative carbon capture and more.
Decarbonisation – reducing or eliminating carbon dioxide emissions – is a collaborative challenge. There are so many inv
Be part of the solution
At UNSW, we nurture and embrace new ideas and fresh minds. If you like solving problems and making things, engineering could be your superpower.
It’s not just about maths and machines – it’s about making life better for everyone. We offer an integrated solution – so whether you’re learning about solar power and renewable energy, critical mineral extraction or green building design, we provide you with the tools you need to make an impact.
I studied engineering because I liked solving problems. The skills you’ll learn are hugely transferable, the projects you’ll tackle will be impactful, and the people you’ll work with will be motivated and ambitious.
When you come onto our campus – when you see our student projects, and go into our classes – you feel this energy, there’s a kind of vibrancy.
So if you want a great career, and you want to make a difference, think about pursuing engineering. Because the world doesn’t just need change, it needs change makers. And that could be you.
Julien’s pathway to engineering
- Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (Honours), UNSW
- PhD in AI and signal processing, UNSW
- Senior research engineer, Motorola Labs
- Senior researcher, CSIRO Data 61
- Professor and Head of School, Engineering and Telecommunications, UNSW
- Dean, Faculty of Engineering, UNSW
This originally appeared in Careers with STEM: Net Zero 2025, and was produced in partnership with UNSW.
