Career Discovery Tool
Your email has not been verified. Verify email now ›

Energy Engineer

Overview and Key Facts

engineers
Education
Education
Bachelor's degree
Median Pay
Median Pay
$117,750
Job Growth
Job Growth
2.10%
(Below US Average)
Jobs in 2034
Jobs in 2034
162,100

What Do They Do?

An energy efficiency engineer could...

 
office space
Recommend the installation of the most efficient lamps and electrical ballasts available in an office building.
architectural drawings
Review architectural plans and make changes to the design to improve the heating and cooling properties of a new home.
production lane
Analyze the energy usage in a production line, and recommend changes to boost efficiency and save money.
infared camera by house
Use an infrared camera during an energy audit to determine where heat losses are greatest in a room.
 
office space architectural drawings production lane infared camera by house

Overview Listen to this section

How much energy do you think all the houses and buildings in the United States consume? It turns out they eat up 40% of all the energy that the U.S. uses in a year. The figure is high because all those houses and buildings need to be heated, cooled, lit, ventilated, and supplied with heated water and electricity to run all sorts of electrical devices, appliances, and computers. Energy efficiency engineers help reduce the energy that houses and buildings use. This saves families and businesses money, and lowers the emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9AUEWsmS5s

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of an Energy Engineer?


  1. Reading Comprehension: ?
  2. Critical Thinking: ?
  3. Writing: ?
  4. Systems Analysis: ?
  5. Active Listening: ?
More skills...

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks an Energy Engineer might do:
  • Identify and recommend energy savings strategies to achieve more energy-efficient operation.
  • Conduct energy audits to evaluate energy use and to identify conservation and cost reduction measures.
  • Monitor and analyze energy consumption.
  • Monitor energy related design or construction issues, such as energy engineering, energy management, or sustainable design.
  • Inspect or monitor energy systems, including heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) or daylighting systems to determine energy use or potential energy savings.
  • Advise clients or colleagues on topics such as climate control systems, energy modeling, data logging, sustainable design, or energy auditing.
  • Analyze, interpret, or create graphical representations of energy data, using engineering software.
  • Collect data for energy conservation analyses, using jobsite observation, field inspections, or sub-metering.
  • Verify energy bills and meter readings.
  • Manage the development, design, or construction of energy conservation projects to ensure acceptability of budgets and time lines, conformance to federal and state laws, or adherence to approved specifications.
  • Perform energy modeling, measurement, verification, commissioning, or retro-commissioning.
  • Review architectural, mechanical, or electrical plans or specifications to evaluate energy efficiency.
  • Prepare energy-related project reports or related documentation.
  • Review or negotiate energy purchase agreements.
  • Train personnel or clients on topics such as energy management.
  • Direct the implementation of energy management projects.
  • Research renewable or alternative energy systems or technologies, such as solar thermal or photovoltaic energy.
  • Promote awareness or use of alternative or renewable energy sources.
  • Write or install energy management routines for building automation systems.
  • Recommend best fuel for specific sites or circumstances.

Salary & Job Openings

Median Salary (Yearly Pay)

Tap or scroll over map to see median salaries for each state

Future Jobs

Blast-Off:

How Will Energy Engineer Jobs Grow by 2034?
Projected % Growth
Rapid growth
(10% or higher)
Much faster than average
(7% - 10%)
Faster than average
(5% - 7%)
About as fast as average
(3% - 5%)
Slower than average
(0% - 3%)
Decreasing
Average of all U.S. jobs (5.3%)
Energy Engineer jobs (2.10%)
Source: https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm

Steps to Get There: Becoming an Energy Engineer

High School Subjects to Study

Aim to study the yellow-shaded subjects.
Math
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Statistics
Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Environmental Science
Physiology
Bio-Medical / Biotech
IT &
Engineering
Computer Science
Applied Technology
Drafting & CAD Training
Core
English
Foreign Language
Business
Psychology / Sociology

Career Pathway Listen to this section

A bachelor's degree in engineering is the minimum requirement for employment as an energy efficiency engineer.

Education- Typical Degree Needed After High School Listen to this section

Degree
Post
high school credential
AA
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctoral or Professional Degree

Typical degree for an entry-level position: Bachelor's degree ? Types of Degrees and Credentials

Most energy efficiency engineers have at least a bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline, such as mechanical or electrical engineering, in addition to P.E. (professional engineer) and/or C.E.M. (certified engineering manager) certification. Some employers prefer an advanced engineering degree, while others prefer experience in business management. A few colleges and universities are developing energy engineering programs designed to focus on the growing demand for engineers with training in energy efficiency, sustainability, and alternative energy development.

Many energy efficiency engineers need some practical experience before they can conduct their own energy audits. Often they start as an adjunct or support to another energy auditor. In this way, they get to learn the responsibilities on the job as they work. If an employer requires advanced degrees or certification specifically related to becoming an energy auditor, then the employee often works as an apprentice or support to another energy auditor while continuing his or her education. In addition, many degree programs have some work-study built into them.

Companies That Hire Energy Engineers

Try it Out with an Activity or Project

STEM Activities

STEM activities are fun hands-on explorations that usually take from 10 minutes to one hour and use readily available household or classroom materials while introducing you to STEM concepts common in this career.

Science Project Ideas

Project Ideas are in-depth STEM explorations that have a strong focus on controlling variables, taking accurate measurements, and analyzing data suitable for investigating the scientific method or the engineering design process.

On the Job

Role Models

Find out what it's like to conduct an energy audit by reading about a day on the job with Mike Childs.
I sit down with the homeowners again and go over the report and then walk them through the home and explain what types of repairs or work they could do to make their home more efficient to save money on their energy bills. 
Mike Childs, Residential Energy Auditor
Find out what it's like to manage an energy program by reading about a day on the job with Ryan Hunt.
We're on a 60-acre resilient living campus. Working on food, water, and shelter in one package, to reduce the footprint each of us will leave on the earth. 
Ryan Hunt, R&D Projects Engineer
In this article, you'll meet energy engineer, Peter Rumsey, who was inspired to think about sustainability and energy efficiency after watching the nation go through the oil crisis in the 1970's.
We’re getting to the point where an energy-inefficient building will not get filled. In California the law states that buildings for lease must declare the energy use of the building. 
Peter Rumsey, Energy Engineer

Nature of the Work

Energy efficiency engineers identify opportunities to save energy and improve efficiency in commercial and residential buildings by conducting energy audits in which they inspect, survey, model, and analyze the primary energy flows in buildings--mechanical, electrical, and thermal. Through their modeling and analysis, efficiency engineers find ways to conserve energy in buildings, reducing the amount of energy going into buildings without negatively impacting the energy needs, or the health and safety, of the people inside. The goal of their work is to reduce the ownership costs of homes and buildings and to promote good stewardship of our environment through increased energy efficiency.

Energy efficiency engineers may be called upon during any stage of home or building construction—from the design or building of new structures to the remodeling of existing ones. They may specialize in auditing one of the energy-consuming components of the home or building, such as the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning (HVAC), or lighting system.

Energy efficiency engineers help corporations develop energy usage goals, and mentor their energy teams to help the corporations reach their goals. They assist in problem resolution, and energy project management through cost-benefit analyses, scope and bid development, contract negotiations, contract management, and project performance verification. They prepare quarterly reports and present detailed briefings to corporate leadership on energy efficiency progress, roadblocks, and future plans to achieve success.

Some energy efficiency engineers are employed in energy education. They hold training sessions in businesses to improve employee awareness of energy reduction efforts and to engage employees in a variety of opportunities for reducing energy usage both at home and at work.

Work Environment

Most energy efficiency engineers conduct energy audits inside industrial plants, commercial buildings, or residential homes, while their modeling and analysis of energy flows is done inside their own office building. Some engineers may spend time outdoors at construction sites to help monitor or direct operations or solve onsite problems. Some energy efficiency engineers travel extensively to conduct audits at plants or worksites outside their home city.

Many engineers work a standard 40-hour week. At times, deadlines or design standards may bring extra pressure to a job, requiring engineers to work longer hours.

More Information

Ask Questions

Do you have a specific question about a career as an Energy Engineer that isn't answered on this page? Post your question on the Science Buddies Ask an Expert Forum.

Additional Resources

Sources

Top
Quick Links X
Free science fair projects.