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Contents
Job Photographs
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The energy/environmental engineer is part of a team.
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Computers are used to control and analyse fuel processing operations.
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Fuel/energy engineers try to reduce pollution while getting maximum energy from different fuels.
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Environmental/Energy Engineers need to carefully follow and understand plans.
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Organising a site test of some new equipment with a contractor.
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The electron microscope can provide valuable information about fuels and other materials.
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Experiments are an essential part of research.
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Energy Engineer
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Energy Engineer
Energy Engineer
Introduction
As an Energy Engineer, you will give your expert advice on the use of safe and reliable sources of energy. You must have excellent engineering knowledge as well as a strong awareness of environmental and safety issues.
Also known as
- Energy Technologist
- Oil Technologist
- Fuel Systems Engineer
- Renewable Energy Engineer
Work Activities
As an Energy engineer, you will tackle the problem of providing us with safe and reliable sources of energy.
You could be working in the following areas:
- the oil industry - you might be developing new methods of making combustion engines work more efficiently
- research departments - working on major projects, such as investigating the causes of pollution
- green energy - researching, developing and testing alternative sources of energy, such as tidal, wind, solar and geothermal power
- manufacturing - designing, researching, testing, and installing energy equipment such as furnaces, boilers, gas turbines and engines
- car manufacture - advising car manufacturers on how to meet strict exhaust emission targets (reducing pollution caused by cars)
You could be performing the following tasks:
- project management
- reporting energy usage
- making presentations to senior management teams
- carrying out energy audits (how is energy used, and how can this be improved?)
- researching new energy saving indeas
- using new technologies
Being able to read, write and speak Welsh may be an advantage when you’re looking for work in Wales.
Personal Qualities and Skills
To become an Energy Engineer, you need:
- the ability to solve problems using your creativity
- excellent knowledge of general engineering
- a strong awareness of environmental and safety issues
- to be willing to keep up to date with changes in technology, the latest information on environmental issues, as well as new UK and EU legislation regarding pollution
- good knowledge of computing and strong mathematical skills
- project management skills
Pay and Opportunities
Pay
The pay rates given below are approximate.
- Starting: £30,500 - £34,000
- With experience: £37,000 - £45,500
- Senior Energy Engineers earn £49,500 - £54,000
Hours of work
Most Energy Engineers work around 35-40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. However, late finishes and some weekend work may be required, especially as deadlines approach.
Where could I work?
Employers include firms in the oil, gas and nuclear industries, which produce and distribute the various types of fuel.
You could also work in other industries that use fuel in their manufacturing and processing operations (such as cars, steel, chemicals, ceramics and textiles).
Other employers are manufacturers of burners, boilers, generators, turbines, and engines that supply power plants.
Some Energy Engineers work for consultancies that advise on energy conservation and the efficient management of plant and buildings.
Energy Engineers can also work for charities - helping communities with their energy needs.
Opportunities occur with employers in towns and cities throughout the UK.
Where are vacancies advertised?
Vacancies are advertised in local/national newspapers, trade industry publications, at Jobcentre Plus and on the Find a Job website.
Vacancies can also be found through specialist engineering recruitment agencies, internet job boards and the websites of professional engineering bodies and energy organisations.
RenewableEnergyJobs is a job board aimed at people interested in careers in renewable energy:
Entry Routes and Training
Entry routes
Normally, employers will expect you to have a degree in order to enter this career. However, if you have completed at least two A levels, including one in a relevant subject, then you might be able to start work as an Energy Engineer.
After completing your A levels, you might be able to get onto an Intermediate or Advanced Level Apprenticeship in a relevant area. Take a look at our information article
A great way to get into this career is through an internship. Take a look at our information article '
Progression
Depending on your qualification, you could progress by taking on more responsibility for the management of engineering projects and teams of Engineers.
You might choose to become self-employed or take contract work on a freelance basis.
Work Experience
Previous experience working in the construction industry (electrical, chemical or mechanical) would be really useful for this career.
Qualifications
The usual entry requirements for a degree related to fuel and energy engineering are:
- 2/3 A levels
- GCSEs in your A level subjects at grade C/4 or above
- a further 2/3 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above
- English, maths and a science subject are usually required at GCSE at grade C/4 or above
Other qualifications, such as a relevant BTEC level 3 qualification or the International Baccalaureate Diploma are often accepted.
Check prospectuses carefully.
To get onto an Advanced Level Apprenticeship, you'll usually need 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including English and maths, or to have completed an Intermediate Level Apprenticeship.
To get onto a Higher Level Apprenticeship, you will need at least 2 A levels, or an Advanced Level Apprenticeship.
To get onto a Degree Apprenticeship, you will usually need at least 2 A levels.
Some universities accept the Welsh Baccalaureate as equivalent to 1 A level.
Adult Opportunities
Age limits
It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.
Courses
If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course (eg, Access to Engineering) could be the way in.
These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.
Distance learning
Loughborough University offers an MSc in Renewable Energy Systems Technology, by distance learning.
The Robert Gordon University offers an MSc in Oil and Gas Engineering, and an MSc in Petroleum Production Engineering, both by distance learning.
The University of Aberdeen offers an MSc in Oil and Gas Structural Engineering, by distance learning.
Training
Information on pathways to registration as a Chartered (CEng) or Incorporated (IEng) Engineer can be found on the Engineering Council's website.
Statistics
- 4% of people in occupations such as energy engineer work part-time.
- 16% have flexible hours.
- 7% of employees work on a temporary basis.
Further Information
Professional institutions
Professional institutions have the following roles:
- To support their members.
- To protect the public by keeping standards high in their professions.
For more information on the institution(s) relevant to this career, check out the contacts below.
Semta
Skills for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies
Address: 14 Upton Road, Watford, Hertfordshire WD18 0JT
Tel: 0845 6439001
Email: customerservices@semta.org.uk
Website: www.semta.org.uk
The Engineer
Engineering technology news
Email: customerservices@theengineer.co.uk
Website: www.theengineer.co.uk
Tomorrow's Engineers
Publisher: EngineeringUK and Royal Academy of Engineering
Email: contactus@tomorrowsengineers.org.uk
Website: www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk
New Scientist
Publisher: Reed Business Information Ltd
Email: ns.subs@quadrantsubs.com
Website: www.newscientist.com
Earthworks-jobs.com
Website: www.earthworks-jobs.com
Engineer Jobs
Publisher: Venture Marketing Group
Email: ner@vmgl.com
Website: www.engineerjobs.co.uk
Getting into Engineering Courses
Author: James Burnett Publisher: Trotman
Website: www.mpw.ac.uk/university-guides/getting-into/engineering-courses/
Scottish Engineering
Scottish enquiries
Address: 105 West George Street, Glasgow G2 1QL
Tel: 0141 2213181
Email: consult@scottishengineering.org.uk
Website: www.scottishengineering.org.uk
Engineering Council
Address: 246 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EX
Tel: 020 3206 0500
Website: www.engc.org.uk
Engineering Training Council Northern Ireland (ETC NI)
Northern Ireland Enquiries
Address: Sketrick House, Ards Business Park, Jubilee Road, Newtownards BT23 4YH
Tel: 028 9182 2377
Email: info@etcni.org.uk
Website: www.etcni.org.uk
Maritime UK Careers
Tel: 020 7417 2837
Email: enquiries@seavision.org.uk
Website: www.seavision.org.uk
Energy Institute
Address: 61 New Cavendish Street, London W1G 7AR
Tel: 020 7467 7100
Email: info@energyinst.org.uk
Website: www.energyinst.org.uk
Electrical Careers - The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership
Website: www.electricalcareers.co.uk/
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