Jobs / Architecture and engineering / 17-2199.03

Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar

Design, develop, or evaluate energy-related projects or programs to reduce energy costs or improve energy efficiency during the designing, building, or remodeling stages of construction. May specialize in electrical systems; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems; green buildings; lighting; air quality; or energy procurement.

US jobs
154,070 (SOC 17-2199 group, "Engineers, All Other")
Median wage
$122,930 a year
Job family
Architecture and engineering

Can agents do the work of energy engineers, except wind and solar?

We read the evidence at the level of the job family, Architecture and engineering:

  • Task levelUnexploredNo task-level benchmark in our collection tests architecture or engineering design work, such as CAD modeling or engineering calculations.
  • Project levelNot yetWhole projects are mostly out of reach. The Remote Labor Index includes 3D, CAD, and architecture projects; across all its projects, the best agent completed 15.8% to a standard a client would accept. GDPval includes mechanical engineers, and its deliverables score higher, but those tasks are one-shot and fully specified.

Benchmarks for the job family

These cover work in architecture and engineering, not always this occupation's tasks.

  • GDPvalby OpenAIProject level · Wins plus ties against experts
    84.9%GPT-5.5 · Apr 2026
    Strong
  • GDPval-AAby Artificial AnalysisProject level · GDPval-AA Elo
    1846 EloClaude Opus 5.5 (Adaptive Reasoning, Max Effort, Default Fallback) · 23 Sep 2026
    Unrated
  • Remote Labor Indexby CAIS and Scale AIProject level · Automation rate
    15.8%Claude Fable 5 · 1 Jul 2026
    Open

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • Identify and recommend energy savings strategies to achieve more energy-efficient operation.
  • Collect data for energy conservation analyses, using jobsite observation, field inspections, or sub-metering.
  • Monitor and analyze energy consumption.
  • Prepare energy-related project reports or related documentation.
  • Monitor energy related design or construction issues, such as energy engineering, energy management, or sustainable design.
  • Conduct energy audits to evaluate energy use and to identify conservation and cost reduction measures.
  • Analyze, interpret, or create graphical representations of energy data, using engineering software.
  • Train personnel or clients on topics such as energy management.
  • Advise clients or colleagues on topics such as climate control systems, energy modeling, data logging, sustainable design, or energy auditing.
  • Perform energy modeling, measurement, verification, commissioning, or retro-commissioning.
  • Verify energy bills and meter readings.
  • Review architectural, mechanical, or electrical plans or specifications to evaluate energy efficiency.
Other job titles for this occupation (21)

Energy Efficiency Engineer · Energy Engineer · Industrial Energy Engineer · Test and Balance Engineer (TAB Engineer) · Alternative Energy Engineer · Building Engineer · Certified Green Building Engineer · Commissioning Engineer · Energy Conservation Engineer · Energy Infrastructure Engineer · Energy Market Analyst · Energy Modeler · Energy Project Engineer · Energy Systems Engineer · Green Building Energy Engineer · Green Building Engineer · Heating Engineer · HVAC Engineer (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Engineer) · Hydroelectric Plant Power Generation Engineer · Optimization Engineer · Sustainability Engineer