Civil and environmental engineering research and development are essential in the efforts to assess, design, improve, and implement infrastructure. Engineering disciplines are vital to adequately identifying infrastructure problems, improving designs, developing new technologies, and ensuring safety. While engineering is effective in assessing and improving infrastructure in general, it is significantly less effective in conducting research and development to combat fundamental environmental injustices. There exists no tool to design, execute and evaluate engineering infrastructure research and development through an environmental justice framework, which is vital to realize Justice 40 Executive Order 14008, which aims to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure that is specifically allocated towards environmental justice initiatives for disenfranchised communities. In the absence of a framework, various sectors, whether it be the private sector, philanthropy, academia, or government, each conduct engineering research and development under different theories as to how to realize positive change. Not only are some common engineering theories of change ineffective at addressing fundamental injustices, but many aspects result in the further perpetuation of inequities. Engineering disciplines need to adopt an equitable framework through which to engage in environmental justice efforts. The work herein presents a theory of change framework that various sectors can use to improve the equity and effectiveness of engineering research and development of infrastructure. We assess common engineering theories of change practiced in the private sector, philanthropy, academia, and government, and provide analysis, critique, and recommendations as to how engineering processes can effectively realize Justice 40.