Mid-Level Engineer / Associate Engineer

Engineers work in a variety of fields to analyze, develop, and evaluate complex systems and projects. Engineers are knowledgeable on current clean energy technology, techniques, and practices in their specific field and apply them to their projects. Mid-level or Associate Engineers are able to apply fundamental concepts and practices and typically assist senior-level engineers on major projects. They may also supervise entry-level engineers.

Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers design, build, supervise, construct, and maintain green infrastructure projects such as roads, buildings, bridges, dams, tunnels, and city planning.

EXAMPLE SCENARIO

A Civil Engineer is responsible for designing a sustainable bridge and decides to recycle the old materials and use less energy-intensive new materials during construction.

TYPICAL TASKS SRC

  • Inspect project sites to monitor progress and ensure conformance to design specifications and safety or sanitation standards.
  • Compute load and grade requirements, water flow rates, or material stress factors to determine design specifications.
  • Provide technical advice to industrial or managerial personnel regarding design, construction, or program modifications or structural repairs.
  • Design energy efficient or environmentally sound civil structures.
  • Prepare or present public reports on topics such as bid proposals, deeds, environmental impact statements, or property and right-of-way descriptions.

EXAMPLE JOB TITLES SRC

City Engineer, Design Engineer, Project Engineer, Structural Engineer

MEDIAN PAY SRC

$86,640

EDUCATION & TRAINING LEVEL

Bachelor’s Degree, Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam (recommended)

WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

3-5 years

SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS

Analytical Skills, Communication Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Decision-Making Skills, Organizational Skills, Technical Skills, Detail Oriented, Math Skills, Safety Protocols, Mechanical Skills, Math Skills, Time Management

SIMILAR OCCUPATIONS

Architect, Construction Manager

Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers use the principals of engineering, science, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems such as recycling, waste disposal, public health, and water and air pollution control. They also address issues such as climate change, unsafe drinking water, and environmental sustainability.

EXAMPLE SCENARIO

An Environmental Engineer tests local drinking water to mitigate unsafe conditions for public health.

TYPICAL TASKS SRC

  • Design systems, processes, or equipment for control, management, or remediation of water, air, or soil quality.
  • Advise corporations or government agencies of procedures to follow in cleaning up contaminated sites to protect people and the environment.
  • Collaborate with environmental scientists, planners, hazardous waste technicians, engineers, experts in law or business, or other specialists to address environmental problems.
  • Obtain, update, or maintain plans, permits, or standard operating procedures.
  • Develop site-specific health and safety protocols, such as spill contingency plans or methods for loading or transporting waste.

EXAMPLE JOB TITLES SRC

Environmental Analyst, Environmental Remediation Specialist, Regulatory Environmental Compliance Manager, Sanitary Engineer

MEDIAN PAY SRC

$87,620

EDUCATION & TRAINING LEVEL

Bachelor’s Degree, Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam (recommended)

WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

3-5 years

SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS

Analytical Skills, Communication Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Decision-Making Skills, Organizational Skills, Technical Skills, Detail Oriented, Math Skills, Safety Protocols, Mechanical Skills, Math Skills, Time Management

SIMILAR OCCUPATIONS

Environmental Scientist, Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers research, design, develop, build, and test mechanical clean energy devices including tools, engines, machines, and sensors.

EXAMPLE SCENARIO

A Mechanical Engineer is designing a scaled-down prototype for a wind turbine blade to test various scenarios, tension values, and compression values that the blade may experience to better understand its functionality.

TYPICAL TASKS SRC

  • Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports.
  • Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, or maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems or processes to meet requirements.
  • Investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and recommend remedial actions.
  • Develop or test models of alternate designs or processing methods to assess feasibility, sustainability, operating condition effects, potential new applications, or necessity of modification.
  • Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, or repair to ensure that machines or equipment are installed and functioning according to specifications.

EXAMPLE JOB TITLES SRC

Application Engineer, Design Engineer, Equipment Engineer, Mechanical Design Engineer, Product Engineer, Project Engineer, Test Engineer

MEDIAN PAY SRC

$87,370

EDUCATION & TRAINING LEVEL

Bachelor’s Degree, Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam (recommended)

WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

3-5 years

SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS

Analytical Skills, Communication Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Decision-Making Skills, Organizational Skills, Technical Skills, Detail Oriented, Math Skills, Safety Protocols, Mechanical Skills, Math Skills, Time Management

SIMILAR OCCUPATIONS

Nuclear Engineer, Materials Engineer

Chemical Engineer

Chemical Engineers use the principals of chemistry, biology, physics, and math to solve problems involving chemicals, fuel, food, and other products in the clean energy industry.

EXAMPLE SCENARIO

A Chemical Engineer is experimenting with renewable liquid biofuels to evaluate how they perform in an engine.

TYPICAL TASKS SRC

  • Monitor and analyze data from processes and experiments.
  • Develop safety procedures to be employed by workers operating equipment or working in close proximity to ongoing chemical reactions and processes to separate components of liquids or gases or generate electrical currents, using controlled chemical processes.
  • Evaluate chemical equipment and processes to identify ways to optimize performance or to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
  • Conduct research to develop new and improved chemical manufacturing processes.
  • Perform laboratory studies of steps in manufacture of new products and test proposed processes in small-scale operation, such as a pilot plant.

EXAMPLE JOB TITLES SRC

Development Engineer, Engineering Scientist, Process Control Engineer, Process Engineer, Research Chemical Engineer, Scientist

MEDIAN PAY SRC

$104,910

EDUCATION & TRAINING LEVEL

Bachelor’s Degree, Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam (recommended)

WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

3-5 years

SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS

Analytical Skills, Communication Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Decision-Making Skills, Organizational Skills, Technical Skills, Detail Oriented, Math Skills, Safety Protocols, Mechanical Skills, Math Skills, Time Management

SIMILAR OCCUPATIONS

Occupational Health and Safety Specialist, Biomedical Engineer, Research Assistant, Nuclear Engineer

Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers design, develop, and test electrical systems, devices, and technologies in the clean energy industry.

EXAMPLE SCENARIO

An Electrical Engineer is designing PV systems and components for a residential building complex so installers know where to mount and connect the panels.

TYPICAL TASKS SRC

  • Prepare technical drawings, specifications of electrical systems, or topographical maps to ensure that installation and operations conform to standards and customer requirements.
  • Design, implement, maintain, or improve electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, components, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, or domestic purposes.
  • Direct or coordinate manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance, support, documentation, or testing activities to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, or customer requirements.
  • Perform detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, or installation standards or specifications.
  • Compile data and write reports regarding existing or potential electrical engineering studies or projects.

EXAMPLE JOB TITLES SRC

Circuits Engineer, Design Engineer, Electrical Controls Engineer, Electrical Design Engineer, Power Systems Engineer, Test Engineer

MEDIAN PAY SRC

$96,640

EDUCATION & TRAINING LEVEL

Bachelor’s Degree, Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam (recommended)

WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

3-5 years

SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS

Analytical Skills, Communication Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Decision-Making Skills, Organizational Skills, Technical Skills, Detail Oriented, Math Skills, Safety Protocols, Mechanical Skills, Math Skills, Time Management

SIMILAR OCCUPATIONS

Electrician

Industrial Engineer

Industrial Engineers eliminate wastefulness in the production process by creating efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to make a product.

EXAMPLE SCENARIO

An Industrial Engineer is examining a manufacturing process to devise a plan to reduce the waste water in a hydropower plant.

TYPICAL TASKS SRC

  • Plan and establish sequence of operations to fabricate and assemble parts or products and to promote efficient utilization.
  • Review production schedules, engineering specifications, orders, and related information to obtain knowledge of manufacturing methods, procedures, and activities.
  • Estimate production costs, cost saving methods, and the effects of product design changes on expenditures for management review, action, and control.
  • Draft and design layout of equipment, materials, and workspace to illustrate maximum efficiency using drafting tools and computer.
  • Coordinate and implement quality control objectives, activities, or procedures to resolve production problems, maximize product reliability, or minimize costs.

EXAMPLE JOB TITLES SRC

Manufacturing Specialist, Operations Engineer, Plant Engineer, Process Engineer, Production Engineer, Supply Chain Engineer

MEDIAN PAY SRC

$87,040

EDUCATION & TRAINING LEVEL

Bachelor’s Degree, Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam (recommended)

WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

3-5 years

SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS

Analytical Skills, Communication Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Decision-Making Skills, Organizational Skills, Technical Skills, Detail Oriented, Math Skills, Safety Protocols, Mechanical Skills, Math Skills, Time Management

SIMILAR OCCUPATIONS

Industrial Production Manager, Health and Safety Engineer