Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Energy Efficiency Engineer
- Energy Engineer
- Industrial Energy Engineer
- Test and Balance Engineer
Alternate Job Titles
- Alternative Energy Engineer
- Carbon Analyst
- Carbon Specialist
- Certified Green Building Engineer
- Energy Conservation Engineer
- Energy Efficiency Engineer
- Energy Engineer
- Energy Infrastructure Engineer
- Energy Market Analyst
- Energy Modeler
- Energy Project Engineer
- Energy Systems Engineer
- Engineer
- Field Engineer
- Green Building Energy Engineer
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Engineering and Technology
- Mathematics
- Building and Construction
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Design
- Physics
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Monitoring
- Complex Problem Solving
- Systems Analysis
- Speaking
- Mathematics
- Active Learning
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Written Comprehension
- Information Ordering
- Inductive Reasoning
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Speech Clarity
- Oral Expression
- Near Vision
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Innovation
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Achievement Orientation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
- Independence
- Recognition
- Support
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience Required: 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.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- C++
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Air current testers
- Blower doors
- Dataloggers
- Desktop computers
- Digital infrared thermometers
- Digital multimeters
- Draft gauges
- Handheld digital thermometers
- Heating system combustion analyzers
- Infrared cameras
- Laptop computers
- Personal computers
Work Environment
- Telephone Conversations
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Contact With Others
Salary & Job Market
Wages reported for the broader Engineers, All Other occupational group (BLS 2024), which includes Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar.
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $62,840 |
| Median | $117,750 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $183,510 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 150,750
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Energy Auditors
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $72,120
Solar Energy Systems Engineers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $117,750
Wind Energy Engineers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $117,750
Wind Energy Development Managers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $136,550
Biomass Power Plant Managers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $121,440
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.