Renewable Energy Engineer

Salary
Graduate: £16,000 - £20,000
Employee with 10-15 years in the role: £22,000 - £35,000
Senior employee: £40,000 - £70,000

Main Employers

• Energy agencies
• Consultancies
• Utility companies
• Engineering companies

Job Profile
Renewable energy engineers are involved in developing highly adaptable new technology that can be applied to a range of applications, from consumer goods through to industrial and leisure. They manage renewable energy projects, including marine, biomass, hydro and wind, often being responsible for the technical direction of these renewable projects.

Role and Responsibilities
Jobs will vary according to each employer; however you could expect to be involved in:

• Managing products from concept, through mock-up and prototyping, to final commercial viability
• Providing customer focused buildings with integrated solar and wind energy systems
• Leading and co-ordinating specific project engineering tasks
• Delivering technical troubleshooting

Qualifications
Relevant further educations subjects include: Applied Chemistry; Building and Construction; Business Studies; Chemistry; Energy Engineering; Engineering; Geology; Physics; Sustainable Energy.

In addition to academic qualifications, membership of a professional body such as the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) is useful. CIWEM provides training, debating, networking and socialising opportunities, and offers a student membership scheme which can provide useful contacts for the future.

Career Development
Renewable energy is a growth area, due to increased interest in environmental issues. Career progression normally involves moving into consultancy, strategic planning and policy development. A growing number of engineers work on a freelance basis and there are overseas opportunities available.

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