Description

Energy engineers design, develop, and evaluate products and systems to promote energy efficiency, including building mechanical systems. Those who work in the HVAC/R field need an understanding of traditional equipment such as boilers, furnaces, and chillers that use fossil fuels, and they need knowledge of the most current environmentally friendly equipment to effectively maximize buildings’ energy efficiency. This includes electricity-based heating and cooling systems such as variable refrigerant flow and air and ground source heat pumps as well as building automation systems and related technologies that support smart buildings.

Energy engineers must be detail-oriented critical-thinkers with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Job duties typically involve conducting energy audits and evaluating and interpreting energy data; working on commissioning or retro-commissioning projects to ensure that buildings comply with government regulations regarding sustainability; designing or redesigning programs, products, or systems to improve energy use; and troubleshooting mechanical problems that affect the efficiency of existing systems. They use spreadsheets and energy modeling software (e.g., eQUEST, Ea-Quip, TREAT) and run simulations to assess the feasibility and benefits of a project, estimate greenhouse gas emissions, calculate cost savings, and recommend strategies and measures that will improve energy conservation. 

Oral communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills are necessary because energy engineers regularly interact with other engineers and energy analysts, contractors, and clients. Energy engineers must be effective writers to produce technical reports that document a project’s scope, methodology and assumptions, calculations, and conclusions.

Experienced energy engineers are responsible for project management, including drafting work scopes, budgeting, setting schedules and timelines, ensuring adequate staffing, and organizing workflow among team members. Senior-level energy engineers are leaders within their organization who also train and supervise the work of less experienced staff, oversee quality assurance, present project proposals and results to clients, and attract and develop new business.

Energy engineers spend most of their time in offices, but the job may involve traveling to worksites to conduct inspections and investigate problems with mechanical equipment and systems. Those who specialize in renewable energy (e.g., solar or wind energy) spend more time outdoors. Energy engineers typically work full-time. 

Job Outlook

According to the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL), there are approximately 4,200 energy engineers and other engineers not otherwise classified in New York State. (Energy engineers are classified under the Standard Occupational Classification title Engineers, All Other, along with engineers who focus on mechatronics, microsystems, photonics, robotics, nanosystems, wind energy, and solar energy systems.) NYSDOL projects that this occupation group of miscellaneous engineers will grow by only 260 jobs between 2018 and 2028, which reflects a relatively small projected growth rate and a modest number of expected job openings compared to other occupations.

Entering the Field

Energy engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in engineering to qualify for entry-level jobs. Programs that focus on mechanical engineering are particularly relevant for jobs in the HVAC/R field, and degrees in electrical or energy engineering may also be acceptable to employers. Junior engineers generally work under the supervision of a senior engineer for a few years before they can work independently. Some employers prefer to hire energy engineers with a master’s degree, especially for senior positions. Work experience or training in energy efficiency, sustainability, green building design, HVAC/R systems (including clean energy technologies such as heat pumps), or building automation systems is valued. Positions may be available to candidates without a degree who have extensive work experience, such as that gained working in facilities management.

Many employers also require additional certifications related to energy efficiency or renewable energy. Examples include those offered by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) (e.g., Certified Energy Manager [CEM], Energy Efficiency Practitioner [EEP], Certified Energy Auditor [CEA], Certified Building Commissioning Professional [CBCP]), the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) (e.g., Building Energy Modeling Professional [BEMP]), the U.S. Green Building Council (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design [LEED]), or the Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association (RETA) (Certified Refrigeration Energy Specialist [CRES]). Having a New York State Professional Engineer (PE) license can also be advantageous. 

Wages

In New York State, the median wage for energy and all other miscellaneous engineers is approximately $98,300. Entry-level workers earn about $62,900 and experienced workers earn about $119,900.

Annual Wage (Q1 2021 dollars, rounded to 100s) – Statewide and by Labor Market Region

Source: New York State Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Survey, SOC Code 17-2199 (Engineers, All Other)

Employers

Energy engineers whose work includes HVAC/R equipment and systems may be employed by manufacturers or companies that provide professional services such as engineering design consulting and scientific research and development. Governments may also hire energy engineers.

The top 3 employers with the most online job advertisements in each region in 2020 are listed below. (Some regions did not have at least three employers that posted relevant job ads.)

Capital Region

• American Energy Care
• TRC Environmental Corporation
• Siemens

Central New York

• United Technologies Corporation

Finger Lakes

• TRC Environmental Corporation

Hudson Valley

• Willdan Energy Solutions

Long Island (Employers did not post any job ads online in 2020.)

Mohawk Valley (Employers did not post any job ads online in 2020.)

New York City

• TRC Environmental Corporation
• Altanova
• Association for Energy Affordability

North Country (Employers did not post any job ads online in 2020.)

Southern Tier (Employers did not post any job ads online in 2020.)

Western New York

• Armstrong Fluid Technology
• Stark Technical Group Incorporated

Source: Burning Glass Technologies: Labor Insight™. 2021.

Labor Unions

Workers in architectural and engineering occupations, including energy engineers, are not highly unionized. Engineers who work in the public sector may be more likely to be union members than those who work in the private sector. Check with public unions that represent government workers to see if their members include energy engineers.

Education and Training Programs

Energy engineers who want training on specific HVAC/R technologies (including adding to their skillset by learning about modern variable refrigerant flow systems, heat pumps, and building automation systems) can take courses offered by manufacturers and distributors of the equipment. See which companies partner with NYSERDA through Clean Heat Connect and check with individual manufacturers and distributors for a complete list of online or in-person offerings and to see which courses are intended for design professionals.

Steven Winter Associates, Inc. offers a Building Electrification Training Series. It includes design professionals and consultants among the target audience for its courses covering topics such as heat pumps and strategies for implementing clean energy mechanical systems.

HVAC/R industry organizations that offer certifications often provide training courses as preparation for taking the certification exam. The following organizations offer certifications relevant to energy engineers (examples are listed above in Entering the Field). Check their websites for available courses, study materials, and/or a list of approved training providers.

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)

Association of Energy Engineers (AEE)

Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association (RETA)

U.S. Green Building Council

For workers just starting in this field or seeking advanced education, schools throughout New York State offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in mechanical engineering that prepare students to become energy engineers. Many schools listed below also offer electrical engineering degrees. Schools noted with an asterisk (“*”) in the table below offer degrees specifically related to energy management or sustainable building design (separately or in addition to mechanical engineering degrees). Many community colleges offer associate degrees in engineering or engineering science that prepare students to transfer to a bachelor’s program upon graduation. Check with local community colleges for program availability.

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