Air Pollution Control Engineer

Working Schedule

Air Pollution Control Engineers work full-time with overtime required for urgent projects or compliance deadlines. Travel may be necessary for onsite evaluations and system implementations.

Typical Duties

• Conduct site inspections and audits; check emission sources and control systems
• Collect samples of soil, water, and gas, following Environmental Protection Agency guidelines
• Analyze and interpret environmental data using modeling, simulation tools, and Geographic Information Systems. Look for contaminants and pollutants
• Identify potential safety hazards and environmental risks. Ensure safe levels of air quality
• Collaborate with other engineers, scientists, and regulatory bodies
• Design and oversee the installation of air pollution control systems
• Develop strategies for reducing air pollutants such as greenhouse gases
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal air quality regulations
• Prepare documentation and reports for regulatory compliance
• Develop training programs on air quality management and pollution control
• Train and supervise newer technicians

Additional Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise on air quality impact assessments
• Calibrate test instrument
• Support investigations of incidents and accidents; determine root causes and recommend preventive measures
• Research trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies 

Soft Skills

• Analytical
• Attention to detail
• Critical thinking
• Deductive and inductive reasoning
• Detail-oriented
• Independent
• Integrity
• Monitoring
• Objectivity
• Organization
• Perceptive
• Problem-solving
• Reading comprehension
• Safety-oriented
• Strong communication skills

Technical Skills

• Air quality management and pollution control technologies
• Emergency response
• Engineering principles and practices
• Environmental monitoring, sampling, data collection, and analysis tools and techniques
• Environmental regulations and compliance measures
• Environmental reporting tools
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Mobile and stationary sensors
• Project management
• Report writing and presentation
• Safety and health assessment techniques
• Tools for data analysis, statistical modeling, and environmental modeling

• Agricultural organizations
• Energy companies
• Environmental consulting firms
• Government regulatory agencies (federal, state, and local)
• Manufacturing plants
• Public Utilities
• Research institutions
• Transportation authorities

Air Pollution Control Engineers may work in industrial settings, exposed to pollutants and hazardous conditions. They must closely follow protocols to avoid mishaps and ensure their health and safety.

Persistence, patience, and strong communication skills are needed to tackle industry challenges related to air quality issues. The health and welfare of workers, communities, and the environment are at stake, so they have to be diligent and effective to make a real impact.

Because technology and policies continue to evolve, they must strive to keep up with the changes through continuous learning. 

In recent years, there’s been a lot of public and governmental pressure to protect the environment more—including our air quality! One initiative is the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Air Toxic Trends Sites network to assess trends and emission reduction program effectiveness.

A major goal is reducing criteria pollutants (carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide) that pose serious health and environmental risks. Air Pollution Control Engineers are at the forefront of that push to reduce these harmful elements from our air by implementing regulations and using advanced tools like remote sensing for more precise monitoring.

AI has also been incorporated into the field, requiring engineers to update their tech skills so they can maximize the power of these new tools!

What kinds of things did people in this career enjoy doing when they were younger…

Students who become Air Pollution Control Engineers often have an interest in the natural world and environmental conservation. They might have loved science clubs, running around outdoors, and being involved with community-based sustainability projects. Many were interested in biology, chemistry, and environmental studies from an early age. 

Students who become Air Pollution Control Engineers often have an interest in the natural world and environmental conservation. They might have loved science clubs, running around outdoors, and being involved with community-based sustainability projects. Many were interested in biology, chemistry, and environmental studies from an early age.