National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0
2 - Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
This broad category comprises occupations in natural sciences (including basic and applied sciences and experimental development), engineering, architecture and information technology. These occupations cover specialized middle management occupations in engineering, architecture, science and information systems; professional occupations in natural sciences (basic and applied sciences and experimental development); and technical occupations related to natural sciences (including basic and applied sciences and experimental development).
21 - Professional occupations in natural and applied sciences
This major group comprises professional occupations in natural sciences; professional occupations in applied sciences and professional occupations in engineering. These occupations come with Training, Education, Experience and Responsibility (TEER) identified as TEER 1. Occupations classified in TEER 1, as those in this group with a 1 as the second digit of their code, typically require a university degree (bachelor's, master's or doctorate) or the accumulation of several years of experience and expertise in the subject matter knowledge in a related occupation found in TEER 2, when applicable (which includes occupations with a 2 as a second digit in their code).
213 - Professional occupations in engineering
This sub-major group comprises professional occupations in engineering, including civil and mechanical engineers; electrical, electronics and computer engineers; manufacturing and processing engineers; natural resources engineers; and other engineers.
2130 - Civil and mechanical engineers
This minor group comprises civil and mechanical engineers. They are employed by governments; engineering, consulting and construction companies; a wide range of manufacturing, processing and transportation industries; or they may be self-employed.
21300 - Civil engineers
Civil engineers plan, design, develop and manage projects for the construction or repair of buildings, earth structures, powerhouses, roads, airports, railways, rapid transit facilities, bridges, tunnels, canals, dams, ports and coastal installations and systems related to highway and transportation services, water distribution and sanitation. Civil engineers may also specialize in foundation analysis, building and structural inspection, surveying, geomatics and municipal planning. They are employed by engineering consulting companies, in all levels of government, by construction firms and in many other industries, or they may be self-employed.
Illustrative example(s)
- bridge engineer
- civil engineer
- construction engineer
- construction project engineer
- environmental engineer
- geodetic engineer
- geomatics engineer
- highway engineer
- hydraulics engineer
- municipal engineer
- public works engineer
- sanitation engineer
- structural engineer
- surveying engineer
- traffic engineer
- transportation engineer
- water management engineer
Inclusion(s)
- spatial information systems engineer
Exclusion(s)
- Construction managers (See 70010 Construction managers)
- Engineering managers (See 20010 Engineering managers)
- Environmental chemical engineer (See 21320 Chemical engineers)
- Geological engineers (See 21331 Geological engineers)
- Managers in transportation (See 70020 Managers in transportation)
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Confer with clients and other members of the engineering team and conduct research to determine project requirements
- Plan and design major civil projects such as buildings, roads, bridges, dams, water and waste management systems and structural steel fabrications
- Develop construction specifications and procedures
- Evaluate and recommend appropriate building and construction materials
- Interpret, review and approve survey and civil design work
- Conduct field services for civil works
- Ensure construction plans meet guidelines and specifications of building codes and other regulations
- Establish and monitor construction work schedules
- Conduct feasibility studies, economic analyses, municipal and regional traffic studies, environmental impact studies or other investigations
- Monitor air, water and soil quality and develop procedures to clean up contaminated sites
- Conduct technical analyses of survey and field data for development of topographic, soil, hydrological or other information and prepare reports
- Act as project or site supervisor for land survey or construction work
- Prepare contract documents and review and evaluate tenders for construction projects
- Supervise technicians, technologists and other engineers and review and approve designs, calculations and cost estimates.
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree in civil engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required.
- A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required.
- Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
- Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is offered by the Canada Green Building Council and may be required by some employers.
Additional information
- There is considerable mobility between civil engineering specializations at the less senior levels.
- Supervisory and senior positions in this unit group require experience.
- Engineers often work in a multidisciplinary environment and acquire knowledge and skills through work experience that may allow them to practise in associated areas of science, engineering, sales, marketing or management.
21301 - Mechanical engineers
Mechanical engineers research, design and develop machinery and systems for heating, ventilating and air conditioning, power generation, transportation, processing and manufacturing. They also perform duties related to the evaluation, installation, operation and maintenance of mechanical systems. They are employed by consulting firms, by power-generating utilities and in a wide range of manufacturing, processing and transportation industries, or they may be self-employed.
Illustrative example(s)
- acoustics engineer
- automotive engineer
- design engineer - mechanical
- energy conservation engineer
- fluid mechanics engineer
- heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) engineer
- mechanical engineer
- mechanical maintenance engineer
- nuclear engineer
- piping engineer
- power generation engineer
- refrigeration engineer
- robotics engineer
- thermal design engineer
- tool engineer
Exclusion(s)
- Engineering managers (See 20010 Engineering managers)
- Industrial and manufacturing engineers (See 21321 Industrial and manufacturing engineers)
- Metallurgical and materials engineers (See 21322 Metallurgical and materials engineers)
- Power engineer (See 92100 Power engineers and power systems operators)
- Stationary engineer (See 92100 Power engineers and power systems operators)
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Conduct research into the feasibility, design, operation and performance of mechanisms, components and systems
- Plan and manage projects, and prepare material, cost and timing estimates, reports and design specifications for machinery and systems
- Design power plants, machines, components, tools, fixtures and equipment
- Analyze dynamics and vibrations of mechanical systems and structures
- Supervise and inspect the installation, modification and commissioning of mechanical systems at construction sites or in industrial facilities
- Develop maintenance standards, schedules and programs and provide guidance to industrial maintenance crews
- Investigate mechanical failures or unexpected maintenance problems
- Prepare contract documents and evaluate tenders for industrial construction or maintenance
- Supervise technicians, technologists and other engineers and review and approve designs, calculations and cost estimates.
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required.
- A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required.
- Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
- Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.
Additional information
- There is considerable mobility between mechanical engineering specializations at the less senior levels.
- Supervisory and senior positions in this unit group require experience.
- Mechanical engineers work closely with civil, electrical, aerospace, chemical, industrial and other engineers, and mobility is possible between some fields of specialization in these disciplines.
- Engineers often work in a multidisciplinary environment and acquire knowledge and skills through work experience that may allow them to practise in associated areas of science, engineering, sales, marketing or management.
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