Engel started her career at the Environmental Protection Agency, and later worked as an assistant state attorney general before transitioning to education.

[2] After law school, Engel clerked for Judge Myron H. Bright of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

[4][5] While at Earthjustice, Engel was condemned by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit for overbilling the federal government for "imaginary or unnecessary legal services".

[16] She has expressed support for stronger federal regulations to reduce air and water pollution from power plants.

[5] Engel characterized the situation at the U.S.–Mexico border as "a humanitarian crisis" and expressed support for reforming asylum-seeking processes.