Do you have an interest in engineering, passionate about the environment and are interested in the energy needs of the future?  What is Energy Engineering all about?

Energy Engineer

So, what do they do?

Energy Engineers work on ways of providing us with our energy needs such as the heat, light and power that we need for our everyday lives and also for manufacturing and transport.  The need to move away from fossil fuels as a source of this power towards renewable or sustainable sources such as wind power, solar power or biofuels, means that energy engineers have a very important role to play in the battle to limit the pollution that is affecting global warming.

What type of person would make a good Energy Engineer?

Energy engineers should ideally have excellent problem solving ability.  They should have also have a strong awareness of environmental issues.  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are needed to work as part of engineering teams.  Good computer, CAD and mathematical skills are also desirable.

OK, so how do I become a Energy Engineer?

It will be necessary to have a degree in Engineering, ideally specialising in Energy Engineering.  GMIT run Level 7 and Level 8 Energy Engineering degrees while Waterford IT and TU Dublin run Sustainable Energy Engineering degrees and Cork IT has an Environmental Engineering offering.  All of these have QQI pathways included in them.

Finally, are there jobs and what’s the pay like?!

Renewable Energy is a growing industry.  The increase in windfarms and offshore turbines coupled with the increasing move towards electric powered vehicles means that this area should see continued growth.  There are many different types of organisations who require energy engineers, including utility companies, sustainable energy developers, government planning departments and energy consultants.

Salary rates range from €50k - €65k. 

If you are interested in finding out more information about what an Energy Engineer is, what they do and how you might become one, just go to our Career Explorer where you will find detailed information on this occupation and over 1,000 other careers. 

You might also do some research on the Sustainable Energy, Electrical and Electronic Engineering and  Energy and Utilities sectors which are also relevant to this occupation.

CareersPortal