Energy performance engineers, also known as energy efficiency engineers, focus on making systems run smarter, not harder. They find ways to cut waste, lower energy bills, and improve building and equipment performance without sacrificing function.
Their work shows up anywhere energy gets used on a large scale. Demand for these roles grows as energy costs climb and efficiency standards tighten.
Is this career for you? If you want a hands-on role with measurable impact, this path offers stability and room to move up.
What Is Energy Performance Engineering?
The primary focus of energy performance engineering is finding efficient, clean, and innovative ways to supply energy using renewable sources.
This involves understanding multiple grid-connected systems within a renewable energy plant and throughout its industrial operations.
While other engineering disciplines may only work with one element, such as mechanical, chemical, or electrical, energy performance work touches on HVAC, lighting, insulation, industrial controls, all the way back to software modeling before the building is completed.
The other big difference between energy performance engineering and other disciplines of renewable energy engineering is that this work is a form of practical and applied engineering.
While theory is an essential element and required to make sense of the information collected, energy performance engineers are hands-on in applying theory to the information they collect for results.
What Energy Performance Engineers Actually Do
The scope of this career probably seems rather broad, and there are a variety of elements and tasks that go along with it. You have to be a well-rounded engineer to handle them all.
Energy efficiency engineers look for ways to improve how systems use energy after monitoring how much they use.
If you choose this career path, you’ll work with architects, contractors, utility companies, and data analysts to gather data and working conditions that you’ll then use to:
- Run performance audits
- Use simulation tools (EnergyPlus, TRACE 3D, eQUEST)
- Recommend retrofits, equipment changes, and behavior shifts
- Track and report performance metrics before and after recommendations are made
As an energy efficiency professional, you’ll be responsible for monitoring, gathering, and making sense of energy consumption so that it can constantly be improved as time passes.
Where These Jobs Show Up
As more and more companies turn to renewable energy, engineers are necessary to ensure energy is being consumed at the highest efficiency.
As an energy performance engineer, you may work in various locations or move between locations throughout the week.
Some of the jobs including working in:
- Commercial and public buildings
- Data centers and industrial plants
- Utilities and energy consulting firms
- Government agencies and policy-driven projects
- ESCOs (Energy Service Companies)
You may choose to specialize in a particular area or industry, or take a job in one sector and then move to another for a different experience.
Each location offers a different set of challenges and opportunities.
Why This Role Matters Right Now
As one of the most recent engineering disciplines to emerge, this is a career born out of necessity.
1. Companies are pressured to meet carbon and efficiency goals regardless of their industry.
This pressure comes from government regulations, competition, and the consumers of their products. If one business fails to meet these goals, consumers are often willing to switch to another company.
2. Energy codes and building performance standards are getting stricter, and just observing data throughout the year isn’t enough any longer.
Teams need a member who can devote time to address all aspects of energy performance and make changes before they occur, as well as after.
3. Upgrading systems to meet these stricter standards can also be expensive. Cost savings from performance upgrades are measurable and fast.
If new machinery can be tested and adjusted to save energy before being implemented on a larger scale, time and money can be saved. There will also be one fewer potential code violation.
4. Globalization and the interconnectedness of industries in many countries mean that operating at peak efficiency is now necessary to operate at all.
Grid reliability and demand response depend on well-designed systems free of inefficiencies and capable of performing at a high level.
Skills You’ll Need
To become an energy efficiency engineer, you’ll require a combination of hard and soft skills.
Hard Skills
- Data interpretation and modeling
- Familiarity with mechanical/electrical systems
- Software tools for simulation and reporting
- An understanding of renewable energy and its processes
Soft Skills
- Excellent communication skills for cross-team collaboration
- Ability to work in small groups or alone
- Capable of delivering results in a way that is constructive and practical
Education
Many employers require a Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Engineering or Sciences with an excellent grasp of mathematics and statistics. Familiarity with the renewable energy sector is always an asset.
Certifications
While optional, certifications can be useful to set yourself apart from others applying for the same job:
- CEM (Certified Energy Manager)
- LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
- PMP (Project Management Professional)
Since the job is one that requires many different skills, being well-rounded and possessing at least a basic understanding of all aspects can go a long way.
Entry Points and Career Paths
So, you’ve decided you want to become an energy performance engineer, but where do you start?
It will depend on whether you are already in the energy industry and want to get an entry-level job first, gain experience in the industry, and work up, or apply directly to a mid-level title right away.
This second option may work well for someone who has already gained experience as a renewable energy engineer and is choosing to pivot and obtain a different job.
- Entry-level roles: energy analyst, performance technician, commissioning assistant
- Mid-level titles: energy performance engineer, building systems engineer, MEP analyst
- Long-term growth: senior engineering roles, project management, sustainability consulting
This is not an exhaustive list but it’s a good starting point to identify key job titles to look out for especially if you’re transitioning from the oil and gas industry to renewable energy.
How to Break In (Even Without a Background in Energy)
Breaking into a career when you have less experience or lack a background in energy altogether can be difficult, but certainly not impossible.
It’s just a matter of using your experience and education and showing how your skills transition from past jobs into this one. Take stock of what you have by asking yourself these questions:
What Education Do I Have?
Leverage mechanical, civil, or industrial engineering degrees. While they aren’t energy-specific, they cover many of the necessary skills you’ll need.
What Are My Transferable Skills?
Are you transitioning from construction, HVAC, or facilities maintenance? You are probably already familiar with common equipment and how to improve them so that they have better efficiency.
What Can I Learn Now?
If you’re currently working in another industry, consider making time outside of work to take online courses such as those on building performance modeling. If you graduate soon, see if your university or college offers those courses.
Learning will give you confidence and show potential employers you are serious about the job and seeking ways to succeed.
How Can I Show What I Already Know?
Showing is always better than just telling.
Build a portfolio of small energy audits or system analyses so a potential employer can see that you know part of the job and won’t need to be trained.
Summary: What Employers Are Looking For
- Problem-solvers with hands-on thinking
- Engineers who understand systems, not just components
- Experience with metrics, benchmarking, and reporting
- Curiosity and willingness to work across roles and departments
- Be capable of implementing the information they discover in a meaningful way
Conclusion
Energy performance/efficiency engineering combines technical skill, practical problem-solving, and real-world impact. It’s a career built for people who want their work to deliver tangible results and stronger compliance.
If you have an engineering background or hands-on experience in energy systems, this job offers clear next steps and long-term growth.
Jobs in this field are ready for you if you’re curious, adaptable, and ready to dig into how systems work.