Pollution Prevention Engineer

Job Summary

The Engineer I – Pollution Prevention Engineer (with LCA Focus) will support NYSP2I's technical programs by conducting applied research and/or delivering hands‑on technical assistance to New York State manufacturers and organizations. This role spans multiple program areas—Direct Assistance (DA), Sustainable Supply Chain (SSC), and Green Technology Accelerator Center (GTAC)—with approximately 50% of the time dedicated to supporting life cycle assessments (LCA), greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories, and environmental reporting protocols (ERPs).

The engineer will conduct on‑site assessments, perform material and energy balances, identify pollution prevention opportunities, support sustainability certifications, and contribute to technical reports, training, and outreach. The Engineer I will work under the guidance of senior engineers and program managers to fulfill NYSP2I's commitments under the NYSDEC grant and advance the Institute's mission of driving environmental and economic improvements statewide.

• With guidance and direction from Senior Engineers, assist in the completion of ISO‑compliant life cycle assessment (LCA) projects, including:
  • Utilizing appropriate Product Category Rules (PCRs) as the LCA framework to support clients' pursuit of Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) publications
  • Developing process flow diagram drafts
  • Gathering life cycle inventory (LCI) data from clients and conducting research to support collection of secondary LCI data
  • Compiling and entering LCI data into LCA software (e.g., Sima Pro)
  • Running LCA simulations
  • Contributing to LCA reporting
  • Conducting research and supporting technical assistance provided to clients toward potential solutions to reduce environmental impacts identified in initial LCA results
  • Assisting in modifying LCAs to adjust for improvements implemented as a result of research and technical assistance
  • Facilitating Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) publication
  • Helping clients understand environmental impacts and identify improvement opportunities
• Research, identify, and support the implementation of cost‑effective, sustainable solutions—including emerging technologies, process improvements, and alternative materials—to reduce energy consumption, minimize waste generation, and eliminate or substitute toxic chemical use.
• Perform material, water, and energy balances to establish baseline metrics and quantify potential improvements.
• Support sustainability initiatives by assisting companies in completing supplier scorecards, achieving certifications (e.g., ISO 14001, TRUE Zero Waste), and implementing sustainable supply chain practices.
• Support greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories and environmental reporting protocols (ERPs) by collecting emissions data, applying standardized methodologies, and contributing to reporting deliverables.
• Collaborate with senior engineers and program managers on proposal development, project scoping, and technical report creation.

• Minimum 2 years of experience in pollution prevention, sustainable manufacturing, or industrial process improvement. A combination of work and academic experience will be considered.
• Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.

• Hands‑on experience in conducting LCAs, or the ability and interest in learning how to conduct LCAs.
• Strong foundational understanding of engineering principles and environmental systems.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret technical data.
• Excellent problem‑solving, troubleshooting, and analytical skills.
• Receptive to receiving instruction, guidance, and direction from others and possessing initiative to tackle tasks.
• Strong oral and written communication skills for technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Professional demeanor and ability to work collaboratively in team settings.
• Experience or working knowledge in one or more of the following areas:
  • Pollution prevention technologies and approaches
  • Sustainable supply chain practices
  • Environmental assessments and regulatory compliance
  • Life‑cycle assessment, green engineering, or design for the environment
  • Basic understanding of manufacturing…