Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar

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$111,970 Median Wage (2023)
10,100 Projected job openings (2023-2033)
5.0% Projected growth (2023-2033)

Design, develop, or evaluate energy-related projects or programs to reduce energy costs or improve energy efficiency during the designing, building, or remodeling stages of construction. May specialize in electrical systems; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems; green buildings; lighting; air quality; or energy procurement.

Experience Requirements Overview

  • Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
  • A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
  • Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
  • Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree

Related Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

Detailed Work Activities

  • Create models of engineering designs or methods.
  • Advise others regarding green practices or environmental concerns.
  • Inspect equipment or systems.
  • Direct energy production or management activities.
  • Monitor industrial energy consumption or management.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

  • 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.
  • Verify energy bills and meter readings.
  • Collect data for energy conservation analyses, using jobsite observation, field inspections, or sub-metering.
  • 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.
  • Consult with construction or renovation clients or other engineers on topics such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) or Green Buildings.

Work Styles

Achievement/Effort

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self-Control

Stress Tolerance

Adaptability/Flexibility

Dependability

Attention to Detail

Integrity

Independence

Innovation

Analytical Thinking

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 28.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.