SOC 17-2199.11 · Energy Efficiency

Energy Engineer: $103,940 Median Pay

Perform site-specific engineering analysis or evaluation of energy efficiency and solar projects involving residential, commercial, or industrial customers. Design solar domestic hot water and space heating systems for new and existing structures, applying knowledge of structural energy requirements, local climates, solar technology, and thermodynamics.

Median Annual Wage

$103,940
BLS OES national median for SOC 17-2199.11.

O*NET Job Zone

4 / 5
Bachelor's degree

Sector

Energy Efficiency
20 alternate job titles · 10 related occupations

1. What They Actually Do

Complete task inventory from O*NET (13 tasks).

  1. Conduct engineering site audits to collect structural, electrical, and related site information for use in the design of residential or commercial solar power systems. (Core)
  2. Create plans for solar energy system development, monitoring, and evaluation activities. (Core)
  3. Design or coordinate design of photovoltaic (PV) or solar thermal systems, including system components, for residential and commercial buildings. (Core)
  4. Provide technical direction or support to installation teams during installation, start-up, testing, system commissioning, or performance monitoring. (Core)
  5. Create electrical single-line diagrams, panel schedules, or connection diagrams for solar electric systems, using computer-aided design (CAD) software. (Core)
  6. Perform computer simulation of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation system performance or energy production to optimize efficiency. (Core)
  7. Review specifications and recommend engineering or manufacturing changes to achieve solar design objectives. (Core)
  8. Develop design specifications and functional requirements for residential, commercial, or industrial solar energy systems or components. (Core)
  9. Develop standard operation procedures and quality or safety standards for solar installation work. (Core)
  10. Create checklists for review or inspection of completed solar installation projects. (Core)
  11. Perform thermal, stress, or cost reduction analyses for solar systems. (Core)
  12. Test or evaluate photovoltaic (PV) cells or modules. (Supplemental)
  13. Design or develop vacuum tube collector systems for solar applications. (Supplemental)

2. Required Competencies

2.1 Skills

Critical Thinking4.00
Reading Comprehension4.00
Complex Problem Solving3.88
Speaking3.88
Writing3.88
Active Listening3.75
Judgment and Decision Making3.38
Mathematics3.38
Monitoring3.25
Active Learning3.25

2.2 Knowledge

Engineering and Technology4.32
Design4.14
Building and Construction3.93
Mathematics3.82
Mechanical3.56
Physics3.29
Computers and Electronics3.29
Administration and Management3.21
English Language3.14
Customer and Personal Service2.96

2.3 Abilities

Deductive Reasoning4.00
Problem Sensitivity4.00
Written Expression4.00
Written Comprehension4.00
Inductive Reasoning3.88
Fluency of Ideas3.88
Oral Expression3.88
Oral Comprehension3.75
Mathematical Reasoning3.62
Information Ordering3.62

2.4 Work Styles

Attention to Detail4.61
Dependability4.29
Integrity4.18
Cooperation4.04
Adaptability/Flexibility4.00
Persistence3.96
Analytical Thinking3.93
Achievement/Effort3.86
Stress Tolerance3.75
Initiative3.75

3. Day-to-Day Work

3.1 Generalized Work Activities

Getting Information4.48
Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.25
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards4.21
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment4.04
Working with Computers3.96
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events3.96
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work3.93
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge3.93
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates3.92
Analyzing Data or Information3.82

3.2 Work Context (5-point scale)

Electronic Mail4.89
Telephone4.89
Face-to-Face Discussions4.61
Frequency of Decision Making4.25
Work With Work Group or Team4.25
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results4.21
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled4.14
Contact With Others4.11
Time Pressure3.89
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate3.89

4. Education, Training & Experience

PT

On-Site or In-Plant Training25.0%
On-Site or In-Plant Training21.4%
On-Site or In-Plant Training14.3%
On-Site or In-Plant Training14.3%
On-Site or In-Plant Training10.7%
On-Site or In-Plant Training7.1%

Related Work Experience (Years)

Related Work Experience39.3%
Related Work Experience17.9%
Related Work Experience10.7%
Related Work Experience10.7%
Related Work Experience10.7%
Related Work Experience3.6%

Required Level of Education

Required Level of Education55.6%
Required Level of Education11.1%
Required Level of Education11.1%
Required Level of Education7.4%
Required Level of Education7.4%
Required Level of Education3.7%

OJ

On-the-Job Training32.1%
On-the-Job Training21.4%
On-the-Job Training14.3%
On-the-Job Training10.7%
On-the-Job Training10.7%
On-the-Job Training7.1%

IM

Job-Related Professional Certification3.0%
Apprenticeship2.4%

5. Interests (Holland Codes)

Realistic5.97
Investigative5.02
Conventional3.96
Enterprising3.05
Artistic2.11
Social1.90

6. Work Values

Achievement6.00
Working Conditions5.67
Independence5.33
Recognition5.33
Support3.33
Relationships3.00

7. Technology & Tools

Software and tools used by people in this role, per O*NET. “Hot” technologies are flagged by O*NET as in-demand.

Autodesk AutoCAD 🔥 Autodesk Revit 🔥 Bash 🔥 C++ 🔥 Dassault Systemes SolidWorks 🔥 Google Workspace software 🔥 JavaScript 🔥 Linux 🔥 Microsoft Access 🔥 Microsoft Excel 🔥 Microsoft Office software 🔥 Microsoft Outlook 🔥 Microsoft PowerPoint 🔥 Microsoft Project 🔥 Microsoft Visio 🔥 Microsoft Visual Basic 🔥 Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA 🔥 Microsoft Word 🔥 Python 🔥 R 🔥 Salesforce software 🔥 Structured query language SQL 🔥 The MathWorks MATLAB 🔥 Trimble SketchUp Pro 🔥 Ansys Fluent Aurora HelioScope Autodesk AutoCAD LT Computer aided design and drafting CADD software Data acquisition software Data visualization software

8. Also Known As

20 alternate job titles used by employers for this occupation.

Applications Engineer Consulting Engineer Engineer Photovoltaic System Designer (PV System Designer) Power Systems Engineer Project Engineer Renewable Energy Specialist Research Engineer Solar Applications Development Engineer Solar Array Engineer Solar Design Engineer Solar Designer Solar Development Engineer Solar Energy Advisor Solar Energy Contractor Solar Energy Engineer Solar Energy Systems Designer Solar Energy Systems Engineer Solar Engineer Solar Mechanical Engineer

9. Related Occupations

Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors
SOC 41-4011.07 · Primary-Short
Solar Energy Installation Managers
SOC 47-1011.03 · Primary-Short
Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
SOC 47-2152.04 · Primary-Short
Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar
SOC 17-2199.03 · Primary-Short
Wind Energy Engineers
SOC 17-2199.10 · Primary-Short
Electrical Engineers
SOC 17-2071.00 · Primary-Long
Wind Energy Development Managers
SOC 11-9199.10 · Primary-Long
Energy Auditors
SOC 47-4011.01 · Primary-Long
Mechanical Engineers
SOC 17-2141.00 · Primary-Long
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
SOC 17-2072.00 · Primary-Long

Data source: O*NET Database 29.1 (tasks, skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, work context, education, technology, alternate titles, related occupations); BLS OES (median wage).

Last updated: April 2026.