National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2011

A

Statistics Canada's Trust Centre: Learn how Statistics Canada keeps your data safe and protects your privacy.

2 - Natural and applied sciences and related occupations

21 - Professional occupations in natural and applied sciences

213 - Civil, mechanical, electrical and chemical engineers

2131 - 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. Civil engineers 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
    • environmental engineer
    • geodetic engineer
    • geomatics engineer
    • highway engineer
    • hydraulics engineer
    • municipal engineer
    • project engineer, construction
    • public works engineer
    • sanitation engineer
    • structural engineer
    • surveying engineer
    • traffic engineer
    • transportation engineer
    • water management engineer

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Chemical environmental engineers (See 2134 Chemical engineers)
    • Construction managers (0711)
    • Engineering managers (0211)
    • Geological engineers (2144)
    • Managers in transportation (0731)
  • Main duties

    Civil engineers perform 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.
2132 - 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. Mechanical engineers 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
    • engineer, power generation
    • fluid mechanics engineer
    • heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) engineer
    • mechanical engineer
    • mechanical maintenance engineer
    • nuclear engineer
    • piping engineer
    • refrigeration engineer
    • robotics engineer
    • thermal design engineer
    • tool engineer

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Engineering managers (0211)
    • Industrial and manufacturing engineers (2141)
    • Metallurgical and materials engineers (2142)
    • Power engineers or stationary engineers (See 9241 Power engineers and power systems operators)
  • Main duties

    Mechanical engineers perform 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.
2133 - Electrical and electronics engineers

Electrical and electronics engineers design, plan, research, evaluate and test electrical and electronic equipment and systems. They are employed by electrical utilities, communications companies, manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment, consulting firms, and by a wide range of manufacturing, processing and transportation industries and government.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • avionics engineer
    • control systems engineer
    • design engineer, electrical
    • distribution planning engineer, electrical
    • electrical engineer
    • electrical network engineer
    • electronics engineer
    • instrumentation and control engineer
    • planning engineer, electrical systems
    • process control engineer, electrical
    • roadway lighting design engineer
    • television systems engineer
    • test engineer, electronics

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Computer and information systems managers (0213)
    • Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) (2147)
    • Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (2241)
    • Engineering managers (0211)
    • Software engineers and designers (2173)
  • Main duties

    Electrical and electronics engineers perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Conduct research into the feasibility, design, operation and performance of electrical generation and distribution networks, electrical machinery and components and electronic communications, instrumentation and control systems, equipment, and components
    • Prepare material cost and timing estimates, reports and design specifications for electrical and electronic systems and equipment
    • Design electrical and electronic circuits, components, systems and equipment
    • Conduct micro or nanodevices simulations, characterization, process modeling and integration in the development of new electronic devices and products
    • Supervise and inspect the installation, modification, testing and operation of electrical and electronic systems and equipment
    • Develop maintenance and operating standards for electrical and electronic systems and equipment
    • Investigate electrical or electronic failures
    • Prepare contract documents and evaluate tenders for construction or maintenance
    • Supervise technicians, technologists, programmers, analysts and other engineers.

    Electrical and electronics engineers may specialize in a number of areas including electrical design for residential, commercial or industrial installations, electrical power generation and transmission, and instrumentation and control systems.

  • Employment requirements

    • A bachelor's degree in electrical or electronics engineering or in an appropriate related engineering discipline is required.
    • A master's or doctoral degree 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

    • 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.
2134 - Chemical engineers

Chemical engineers research, design, and develop chemical processes and equipment, oversee the operation and maintenance of industrial chemical, plastics, pharmaceutical, resource, pulp and paper, and food processing plants and perform duties related to chemical quality control, environmental protection and biochemical or biotechnical engineering. Chemical engineers are employed in a wide range of manufacturing and processing industries, consulting firms, government, research and educational institutions.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • adhesives engineer
    • biochemical engineer
    • biotechnical engineer
    • chemical engineer, environmental
    • chemical process engineer
    • industrial hygiene engineer
    • industrial waste treatment engineer
    • liquid fuels engineer
    • petrochemical engineer
    • polymer engineer
    • process control engineer, chemical
    • project engineer, chemical
    • pulp and paper engineer
    • refinery engineer
    • waste treatment engineer

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Agricultural and biomedical engineers (See 2148 Other professional engineers, n.e.c.)
    • Chemists (2112)
    • Civil environmental engineers (See 2131 Civil engineers)
    • Engineering managers (0211)
    • Metallurgical and materials engineers (2142)
    • Petroleum engineers (2145)
    • Process control engineers with electrical or electronic specialization (See 2133 Electrical and electronics engineers)
  • Main duties

    Chemical engineers perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Conduct economic and technical feasibility studies in areas related to chemical, petroleum, pulp and paper, food or other processing industries
    • Conduct research into the development or improvement of chemical engineering processes, reactions and materials
    • Evaluate chemical process technology and equipment and determine production specifications
    • Design and test chemical processing and associated plants and equipment
    • Oversee the construction, modification, operation and maintenance of pilot plants, processing units or processing plants
    • Establish and conduct quality control programs, operating procedures and control strategies to ensure consistency and adherence to standards for raw materials, products and waste products or emissions
    • Prepare contract documents and evaluate tenders for the process aspects of industrial construction
    • Supervise technicians, technologists and other engineers
    • May work in an administrative capacity, for example, in the development of guidelines and specifications for the handling of dangerous chemicals, environmental protection, or standards for foods, materials and consumer goods.

    Chemical engineers may specialize in the products and processes of a particular industry such as pulp and paper manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, energy processing, plastics, metal extraction and refining, or adhesives and coatings production. They may also specialize in functional areas of various industries such as process control, pollution control or fermentation processes.

  • Employment requirements

    • A bachelor's degree in chemical 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 chemical 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.
    • Chemical engineers work closely with chemists and other scientists and engineers and mobility is possible between some fields of specialization.
Report a problem on this page

Is something not working? Is there information outdated? Can't find what you're looking for?

Please contact us and let us know how we can help you.

Privacy notice

Date modified: