Energy engineer

Energy engineers play a key role in tackling one of the biggest global challenges of how to produce and use energy in efficient, sustainable and less damaging ways to the environment

As an energy engineer, you'll be involved in producing energy from natural resources such as oil and gas, and increasingly from renewable sources like wind, solar, hydro and biofuels.

Your work will focus on developing cleaner, safer and more efficient systems to meet the world's growing demand for power.

In this role you may:

• design, test and install energy technologies
• improve existing processes to reduce costs and emissions
• convert, transmit and supply energy for everyday use
• research new methods to cut fossil fuel use and expand renewables.

Responsibilities

As an energy engineer, you'll need to:

• design, develop and build renewable energy technologies
• integrate renewable energy with existing power systems
• arrange new energy supplies and negotiate tariffs with providers
• carry out site inspections and energy surveys
• design and select equipment for projects
• use computer models to run calculations and test designs
• carry out lab experiments and scale them up for industry
• prepare feasibility studies, schedules and cost estimates
• check ground conditions for installing systems such as wind turbines
• manage contracts, costs and service agreements
• liaise with contractors, geologists and other specialists
• stay up to date with environmental legislation and standards
• develop expertise across all areas of energy and sustainability.

Salary

• Graduate starting salaries are usually between £28,000 and £35,000.
• With experience, you could earn in the region of £40,000 to £60,000.
• At senior or specialist level, earnings can be higher, especially in large companies.

Your pay will depend on the type of employer, your location and level of responsibility.

Working hours

If you work in design, research or consultancy, your hours will usually be 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. In roles linked to power plants or drilling, you may need to work shifts, including weekends.

Part-time work is sometimes available, and once you have experience you could work freelance or as a consultant.

What to expect

• You may be based in an office, lab or on-site - sometimes in remote or offshore locations.
• You may work independently or within a team, depending on the project.
• The industry is keen to attract more women into engineering, with organisations such as WISE and Women's Engineering Society (WES) offering support.
• Travel is often part of the job, and some employers offer opportunities to work overseas.
• A company car or travel allowance may be provided if your role involves frequent site visits.

Qualifications

To become an energy engineer, you'll usually need a degree in a relevant subject such as:

• earth sciences
• electrical, mechanical or chemical engineering
• environmental engineering
• environmental science and management
• earth sciences
• mining or petroleum engineering
• renewable or sustainable energy.

Specialist degrees in energy engineering, sustainable energy and climate science are becoming more common.

A postgraduate qualification isn't essential but can help if your first degree is in a less directly related subject. Masters programmes in renewable energy, energy systems and sustainability can help you specialise or progress to senior roles.

It's useful if your course is accredited by a professional body such as the Energy Institute (EI) or the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), as this supports your path to becoming a chartered engineer.

You can find details of accredited courses at Engineering Council - Course Search.

Skills

You'll need to show:

• strong interest in science, technology and the environment
• understanding of the energy industry and market trends
• knowledge of energy legislation and carbon reduction policies
• clear communication skills
• strong maths and science ability
• IT and design software skills, e.g. AutoCAD
• organisational and project management skills
• commercial awareness and problem-solving ability
• teamwork and negotiation skills
• foreign language ability - not essential, but useful in global companies.

Work experience

Most employers expect some relevant experience. You can gain this through degree placements or industrial years or summer internships with major energy companies, such as BP, Shell and EDF.

 Speculative applications to smaller firms in the energy sector can be a good way to find work experience opportunities.

Joining as a student member of professional bodies like EI or IET can help you build networks and show your commitment.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Energy engineers are in demand across many sectors, including:

• fuel and power industries (oil, gas, nuclear, renewables)
• manufacturing companies
• government and regulatory bodies
• specialist energy consultancies and agencies
• higher education and research institutions.

Graduate opportunities are often available with large companies such as Shell, EDF, Scottish Power and National Grid, many of which run dedicated energy and renewables

Look for job vacancies at:

• Earthworks-jobs.com
• Environmentjob.co.uk
• GreenJobs

Specialist recruitment agencies such as Clear advertise energy engineering vacancies.

Professional development

Many energy engineers work towards chartered engineer (CEng) status, which is recognised internationally and can improve career prospects.

To do this, you'll need to be a member of a professional body such as the ET or IET.

Accredited degrees make the chartership process more straightforward, and employers may fund part-time MSc study to support your development.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is essential and membership of professional bodies gives you access to conferences, training courses and networking events, and often online CPD tools.

Career prospects

Energy engineers are in demand across the wider energy industry, and career opportunities are generally strong. You could:

• progress into senior engineering or management roles
• specialise in areas such as corporate social responsibility (CSR), energy policy or research and development (R&D)
• move into consultancy, teaching or self-employment.

With experience and chartered status, you can move into leadership positions, command higher salaries and even achieve fellowship of a professional body such as the Energy Institute.

As the energy industry continues to grow and shift towards net zero, new opportunities are emerging in areas like offshore wind, hydrogen, battery storage and smart energy systems.