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Humanitarian engineers use their skills to tackle real-world challenges, building a better world, one project at a time
Have you ever wanted to help make a difference in the world but didn’t know how? Or maybe you like building but want to explore something other than bridges and robots? If so, humanitarian engineering may be your perfect match – you’ll tackle real-world problems and help those in need!
So, what is humanitarian engineering?
In short, it’s engineering that makes life better with smart, simple and sustainable ideas. It’s less about flashy robots and hoverboards, and more about practical solutions for communities struggling with poverty, climate disasters and health crises. Humanitarian engineering sits across all engineering disciplines and spans many career pathways,meaning no matter your interest, there’s a job for you!
Get Started!
The term ‘humanitarian engineering’ was hardly used before the early 2000s, when Engineers Without Borders was founded and the Colorado School of Mines offered what was likely the first minor in humanitarian engineering. Since then,the world has faced many crises, and humanitarian engineering is in high demand! Today, there are a lot more places to study this pathway, including in Australia.
Where could a humanitarian engineering career take you? (Hint: pretty much anywhere)
- Civil engineer: Design water systems, roads and housing after natural disasters.
- Environmental engineer: Tackle pollution and build sustainable projects.
- Biomedical engineer: Create healthcare tech for tough environment.
- Water and habitat engineer: Provide clean water and safe housing.
- Electrical engineer: Build power and telecom systems in remote areas.
Other awesome pathways include project management, disaster response, research and data analysis – all critical parts of the humanitarian engineering puzzle. If you want to save lives, protect the planet and build a better future, humanitarian engineering could be your path!
What makes it awesome?
- Social impact focus: Every project aims to boost health, safety and wellbeing.
- Sustainability first: Eco-friendly designs that work long term.
- Teamwork with communities: Projects with people, not for them.
- Smart tech choices: Simple, affordable solutions that fit the local environment.
- All kinds of disciplines: Civil, mechanical, environmental, biomedical – you name it!
Real-world impact
Common projects undertaken by humanitarian engineers include creating sustainable water treatment systems, improving access to medical equipment, designing housing and implementing renewable energy solutions. Since it’s such a broad field, there are countless other ways they make a difference. Take a look at the real-world impact of these notable projects…
The Peru Project
In Peru, certain communities relied on deep aquifer wells with lethal concentrations of arsenic for their drinking water. Engineers Without Borders at UC Berkeley partnered with locals to provide safer drinking water. They installed rainwater catchment systems on school gutters with debris filters, and designed a chlorine disinfection system. They also launched an education program to raise awareness about arsenic’s dangers.
GRoWES (Global Research on WaSH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) to Eliminate childhood Stunting)
GRoWES tackled childhood stunting in communities across Guatemala, Brazil and South Africa. A team of engineers, nurses and sanitarians addressed food security, water access and hygiene to support healthy child growth – with a name that fit their mission perfectly!
Engineering + Humanitarian + Jobs
- Civil engineer: $62K–$122K
- Environmental engineer: $62K–$150K
- Biomedical engineer: $75K–$85K
- Water resources engineer: $65K–$119K
- Electrical engineer: $62K–$128K
*Salaries according to payscale.com and seek.com.au
This article originally appeared in Careers with STEM: Engineering 2025
