Energy Engineers

Career summary

Energy engineers may specialize in one of several areas:

• Air conditioning
• Electrical systems
• Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems
• Green buildings
• Lighting
• Air quality
• Energy procurement

Sometimes energy engineers write energy management plans for large energy systems or buildings. They may also oversee an energy conservation project. Other engineers focus on smaller buildings and homes.

Construction

Energy engineers work on new construction projects and help to remodel older buildings so they become more energy efficient. They work on projects during both the design and the construction phase. Energy engineers identify ways to save energy and make recommendations to homeowners, builders, and architects.

Energy engineers follow budgets and timelines. They review drawings and layouts. They make sure that each project conforms to federal and state laws. Energy engineers often visit construction and building sites to do inspections.

Energy audits

Energy engineers also conduct energy audits on buildings or large energy systems such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units. They look for ways to save energy and cut energy costs. Sometimes they recommend or design a new system and other times they figure out how to make an existing system work more efficiently.

Related careers

This career is part of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Aerospace Engineers
• Chemical Engineers
• Civil Engineers
• Computer and Information Research Scientists
• Computer Network Architects
• Construction Managers
• Environmental Engineers
• Geospatial Information Scientists and Technologists
• Mechanical Engineers
• Renewable Energy Engineers
• Safety Engineers
• Wind Energy Engineers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to energy engineers.

• Find ways to save energy. Recommend methods that use energy to do work more efficiently.
• Manage energy conservation projects from start to finish. Monitor costs, timelines, and laws. Ensure the high quality of work on the project.
• Conduct energy audits to check energy use, costs, or conservation measures.
• Monitor and analyze energy use.
• Perform energy modeling, measurement, and verification.
• Oversee design or construction aspects related to energy such as energy engineering, energy management, and sustainable design.
• Advise clients on ways to improve energy efficiency using energy modeling, sustainable design, and other methods.
• Make job site observations, field inspections, or sub-metering to collect data for energy conservation tests.
• Review plans and specifications to check energy efficiency. Determine feasibility of designs.
• Inspect energy systems. This includes the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). Check lighting for energy use or savings.
• Create schedules for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and other automatic systems.
• Check construction design such as detail and assembly drawings, calculations, system layouts, or specifications.

Common work activities

Energy engineers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Use computers
• Analyze data or information
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Get information needed to do the job
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Think creatively
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Process information
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Document and record information
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Evaluate information against standards
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Develop and build teams
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Schedule work and activities
• Coach others
• Develop goals and strategies
• Teach others
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions
• Monitor and control resources
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, energy engineers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a moderately high level of social interaction. They spend most of their time talking to other engineers, managers, and clients.
• Communicate with people daily by telephone, e-mail, and in person.
• Write letters and memos on a monthly basis.
• Work as part of a project team.
• Have limited responsibility for the work done by others.
• Are somewhat responsible for the health and safety of others.

Physical work conditions

• Usually work indoors. Occasionally work outdoors, especially when visiting construction sites.
• Occasionally wear protective or safety attire.
• Sometimes travel to and from work sites in an enclosed vehicle, such as a truck, car, or van.
• May share office space with other workers.
• Occasionally are exposed to loud or distracting sounds and noise levels, such as when visiting a job site.

Work performance

• Must be very exact and accurate. Errors can delay construction projects.
• Rarely consult a supervisor before making a decision or setting tasks and goals.
• Meet strict daily and weekly deadlines. This makes the work atmosphere somewhat competitive.
• Often make decisions that strongly impact coworkers and their company.
• Repeat the same physical and mental tasks.

Hours/travel

• Often must meet deadlines.
• Usually work a standard work week, but often work overtime.

Physical demands

Energy engineers frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.

It is important for energy engineers to be able to:

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for energy engineers to be able to:

• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.

Skills and abilities

Energy engineers need to:

Communicate

• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Understand written information.
• Understand spoken information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Identify what must be changed to reach goals.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.

Use math and science

• Choose a mathematical method or formula to solve problems.
• Use math skills to solve problems.
• Use scientific methods to solve problems.
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Teach others how to do something.
• Look for ways to help people.

Work with things

• Analyze needs and requirements when designing products.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Architectural Engineering
• Construction Engineering
• Engineering, General
• Mechanical Engineering

Other programs of study to consider

• Civil Engineering
• Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
• Energy Management and Systems Technology
• Engineering Physics
• Pre-Engineering
• Solar Energy Technology

Training

To work as an energy engineer, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have at least a bachelor's degree in engineering; and
• have a license.

Education after high school

Energy engineers need at least a bachelor's degree in engineering. More universities are developing engineering programs specifically in energy engineering, but it is possible to get a degree in civil, mechanical, electrical, or another type of engineering and still work in this occupation. In addition, some colleges and universities also offer engineering programs with an emphasis on environmental systems and design. Engineering programs take four to five years to complete.

Some schools offer certificate programs in energy engineering. These programs are designed for those who already have a bachelor's degree in engineering.

Work experience

Consider participating in an internship with an engineering firm while you are in college. An internship offers you a chance to apply what you have learned in the classroom to a work situation. It also allows you to build skills and make contacts with people in the field.

On-the-job training

It is common for newly hired energy engineers to receive some on-the-job training. This varies by employer, and can last anywhere from a month to a year.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum  may be different from your state's graduation requirements . Energy engineers use math and science frequently. Try to take math classes through Trigonometry and science classes through Physics.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Blueprint Reading
• Computer Applications
• Computer-Assisted Design (CAD)
• Computer Science
• Construction
• Drafting

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers require that energy engineers have at least a bachelor's degree in engineering. Many employers will require a master's degree. Employers also look for people with strong communication, computer, and technical skills. Certification or licensing may also be required.

Costs to workers

Some workers may wish to join a professional association, which may have annual dues. They may also wish to become certified in industry best practices and take continuing education courses to keep up with changes in the field of energy engineering.

Licensing/certification

Engineers employed in responsible positions in government or in firms offering services to the public, or who stamp their work as being done by an engineer, must be licensed by the Washington State Department of Licensing.

Getting a license as an engineer-in-training requires:

• an engineering degree from a school approved by the Accrediting Board for Engineering Technology (ABET), or four years of practice in engineering working under a licensed engineer, or a combination of education and work experience; and
• passing a written exam.

Professional engineer licensing requirements include:

• completion of the engineer-in-training requirements;
• four additional years of active practice in engineering working under a licensed engineer or a combination of work experience and education; and
• passing a written exam.

Engineers who want to be licensed must pay an exam fee to the National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors and a $65 fee for the initial state exam application. The state licence renewal fee is $116 every two years.

For information on testing, contact:

National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying 
PO Box 1686
Clemson, SC 29633-1686
800.250.3196

For licensing information, contact:

Washington State Department of Licensing
Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and
Land Surveyors Licensing Program 
PO Box 9025
Olympia, WA 98507-9025
360.664.1575

#1/28/20

Wages

Wages vary by employer and area of the country. The engineer's level of training, experience, and responsibility also affect wages.

Energy engineers who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance. Some employers also provide a retirement plan.

National wage information is not available specifically for energy engineers. However, they are part of the larger group of "all other engineers."

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Engineering firms
• Federal, state, and local government agencies

National outlook

Much of the job growth for energy engineers will be due to the growing green sector of the economy. Energy engineers will be needed to help design more energy efficient systems. Opportunities will be best for engineers with strong technical, computing, and communication skills.

Job openings will occur each year as workers leave this occupation or retire.

Employment and outlook information is not available specifically for energy engineers. However, they are part of the larger group of "all other engineers."

Other resources

Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute 
2311 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 400
Arlington, VA 22201
703.524.8800

Alliance to Save Energy 

American Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) 
(This website provides a list of engineering-related programs accredited by ABET)
415 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410.347.7700

Association of Energy Engineers 
(training and certification information)

Association of Energy Engineers Pacific Northwest Chapter 

Discover Engineering 

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy information 
(US Department of Energy)

Engineer Girl! 
National Academy of Engineering

Engineering Your Future 

Green Building Certification Institute 

International Code Council 
500 New Jersey Avenue NW, 6th Floor
Washington, DC 20001
888.422.7233

National Academy of Engineering 
500 Fifth Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
202.334.3200

National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering 

National Renewable Energy Laboratory 
901 D Street SW, Suite 930
Washington, DC 20024
202.488.2200

National Science Foundation 
2415 Eisenhower Avenue
Alexandria, Virginia 2231

Nuclear Energy Institute 
1201 F Street NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20004
202.739.8000

Society of Women Engineers 
130 East Randolph Street, Suite 3500
Chicago, IL 60601
877.793.4636

Technology Student Association 
1904 Association Drive
Reston, VA 20191-1540
888.860.9010

US Green Building Council 

Washington Business Week 
PO Box 1170
Renton, WA 98057
253.237.3545

Washington State Science & Engineering Fair 

Wind Solar Alliance 

World Energy Council 

References

Career cluster

• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Career path

• Investigative (Science)

O*Net  occupation

• Energy Engineers (17-2199.03) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed. A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

Holland occupational cluster

• Investigative/Realistic/Conventional