National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0

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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.

2131 - Electrical, electronics and computer engineers

This minor group comprises electrical, electronics and computer engineers other than software engineers and designers. They are employed by electrical utilities, telecommunications companies, manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment, consulting firms, computer and telecommunication hardware manufacturers, and by a wide range of manufacturing, processing and transportation industries, by governmental, educational and research institutions and in information technology units throughout the public and private sectors.

21310 - 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
    • electrical design engineer
    • electrical distribution planning engineer
    • electrical engineer
    • electrical network engineer
    • electrical process control engineer
    • electrical systems planning engineer
    • electronics engineer
    • electronics test engineer
    • instrumentation and control engineer
    • roadway lighting design engineer
    • television systems engineer

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Computer and information systems managers (See 20012 Computer and information systems managers)
    • Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) (See 21311 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers))
    • Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (See 22310 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians)
    • Engineering managers (See 20010 Engineering managers)
    • Software engineers and designers (See 21231 Software engineers and designers)
  • Main duties

    This group performs 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.
21311 - Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)

Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) research, plan, design, develop, modify, evaluate and integrate computer and telecommunications hardware and related equipment, and information and communication system networks including mainframe systems, local and wide area networks, fibre-optic networks, wireless communication networks, intranets, the Internet and other data communications systems. They are employed by computer and telecommunication hardware manufacturers, by engineering, manufacturing and telecommunications firms, in information technology consulting firms, by governmental, educational and research institutions and in information technology units throughout the private and public sectors.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • computer hardware engineer
    • fibre-optic network designer
    • hardware circuit board designer
    • hardware development engineer
    • hardware technical architect
    • network test engineer
    • systems designer - hardware
    • telecommunications hardware engineer
    • wireless communications network engineer

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Business systems specialists (See 21221 Business systems specialists)
    • Computer and information systems managers (See 20012 Computer and information systems managers)
    • Computer systems developers and programmers (See 21230 Computer systems developers and programmers)
    • Cybersecurity specialists (See 21220 Cybersecurity specialists)
    • Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (See 22310 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians)
    • Electrical and electronics engineers (See 21310 Electrical and electronics engineers)
    • Engineering managers (See 20010 Engineering managers)
    • Information systems specialists (See 21222 Information systems specialists)
    • Software developers and programmers (See 21232 Software developers and programmers)
    • Software engineers and designers (See 21231 Software engineers and designers)
    • Web designers (See 21233 Web designers)
    • Web developers and programmers (See 21234 Web developers and programmers)
  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    Computer and telecommunications hardware engineers

    • Analyze user requirements, and design and develop system architecture and specifications
    • Research, design, develop and integrate computer and telecommunications hardware such as microprocessors, integrated circuit boards and semiconductor lasers
    • Develop and conduct design verification simulations and prototype bench tests of components
    • Supervise, inspect and provide design support during the manufacturing, installation and implementation of computer and telecommunications hardware
    • Establish and maintain relationships with suppliers and clients
    • May lead and coordinate teams of engineers, technologists, technicians and drafters in the design and development of computer and telecommunications hardware.

    Network system and data communication engineers

    • Research, design and develop information and communication system network architecture
    • Research, evaluate and integrate network system and data communication hardware and software
    • Assess, document and optimize the capacity and performance of information and communication system networks
    • May lead and coordinate teams of design professionals in the development and integration of information and communication system architecture, hardware and software.

    Computer engineers may specialize in a number of areas including analog and digital signal processing, fibre optics, integrated circuits, lasers, microprocessors, microwaves and radio astronomy.

  • Employment requirements

    • Computer engineers require a bachelor's degree in computer engineering, electrical or electronics engineering, engineering physics or computer science.
    • 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, three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.
  • 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.
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