thermal engineer
Snapshot
Are you fascinated by how heat and energy move? As a thermal engineer, you'll design and build systems that control temperature and energy transfer, playing a crucial role in industries from aerospace to manufacturing. This expert-level role combines scientific principles with practical engineering solutions.
Thermal engineers are professionals specializing in the application of thermodynamics to design, develop, and test systems involving heat transfer. Your daily work might involve modelling complex thermal processes using software, selecting appropriate materials for high-temperature environments, or troubleshooting performance issues in existing heating and cooling infrastructure. You’ll leverage your understanding of liquids, gases, and energy to optimise efficiency and ensure safety.
- • Designing and modelling thermal systems, such as HVAC systems, heat exchangers, and cooling solutions.
- • Conducting tests and analyses to validate system performance and identify areas for improvement.
- • Selecting materials and components that can withstand extreme temperatures and pressures.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Science and engineering professionals — 274 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Ireland and 4 more.
Longest-running shortage: Ireland, 4 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
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Could thermal engineer fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
Do you enjoy tasks that require Attention to Detail?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Integrity?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Dependability?
Future Outlook for thermal engineer
The outlook for thermal engineer reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could thermal engineer change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could thermal engineer change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- provide information on geothermal heat pumps
- troubleshoot
- manage engineering project
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- perform a feasibility study on electric heating
- perform a feasibility study on heat pumps
- use technical drawing software
Tasks most exposed to automation
No single task here is highly automatable yet.
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Advanced Manufacturing
A typical day as a thermal engineer
09 09:00 · Morning design an electric heating system
10 10:30 · Mid-morning design passive energy measures
12 12:00 · Midday design thermal equipment
14 14:00 · Afternoon design thermal requirements
15 15:30 · Late afternoon interpret 2D plans
17 17:00 · Wrap-up operate solar thermal energy systems for hot water and heating
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
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engineering processes
The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems.
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heat transfer processes
Field of information which distinguishes three types of heat transfers, such as conduction, convection and radiation. These processes set limits to the performance of thermal engineered components and systems.
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mechanical engineering
Discipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.
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thermal materials
Field of information which distinguishes different kinds of thermally conductive and interface materials such as thermal modules used in electronic instrumentation and several energy applications. Their intention is to dissipate heat.
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combined heat and power generation
Technology that generates electricity and captures the heat that would otherwise be wasted to provide steam or hot water, that can be used for space heating, cooling, domestic hot water and industrial processes, thus contributing to energy performance.
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distribution of heating cooling and hot water
The design principles of water distribution systems for heating, cooling and domestic hot water and the relation with insulation, energy saving by optimal hydraulic design. The nature of energy loss in these systems caused by heat transfer, pressure loss (resistance of tubes and valves) and electrical power for pumps and valves.
- engineering principles
- fluid mechanics
- mechanics
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perform a feasibility study on electric heating
Perform the evaluation and assessment of the potential of electric heating. Realise a standardised study to determine whether the application of electric heating is appropriate under the given condition and conduct research to support the process of decision making.
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perform a feasibility study on heat pumps
Perform the evaluation and assessment of the potential of a heat pump system. Realise a standardised study to determine costs and restrictions, and conduct research to support the process of decision making.
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adjust engineering designs
Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.
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design thermal equipment
Conceptually design equipment for healing and cooling using heat transfer principles such as conduction, convection, radiation and combustion. The temperature for these devices should stay stable and optimal, since they continually move heat around the system.
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use technical drawing software
Create technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.
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use thermal analysis
Use software tools such as Icepak, Fluens and FloTHERM as a means to develop and optimize thermal control designs in order to cope with a wide range of difficult problems regarding thermal products and properties of thermal materials.
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design an electric heating system
Design the details of electric heating systems. Calculate the needed capacity for space heating under given conditions complying with available electrical power supply.
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approve engineering design
Give consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.
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design engineering components
Design engineering parts, assemblies, products, or systems.
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design passive energy measures
Design systems that achieve energy performance using passive measures (i.e. natural light and ventilation, control of solar gains), are less prone to failures and without maintenance costs and requirements. Complement passive measures with as few as necessary active measures.
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interpret 3D plans
Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.
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interpret 2D plans
Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in two dimensions.
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provide information on geothermal heat pumps
Provide organisations and individuals searching for alternative methods to provide buildings with energy on the cost, benefits, and negative aspects of the installation and use of geothermal heat pumps for utility services, and what one must take into account when considering the purchase and installation of geothermal heat pumps.
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troubleshoot
Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
See whether this role fits your Career DNA
Take the free Career DNA assessment to see how thermal engineer aligns with your interests, work style, and future path. In less than 10 minutes, you will get a personalized fit signal and a roadmap for what to do next.
Scan to continue on mobileGrowth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does thermal engineer fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of industries employ thermal engineers?
- Thermal engineers are in demand across a wide range of sectors, including aerospace, automotive, power generation, manufacturing, building services (HVAC), and even food processing. Any industry that relies on efficient heating, cooling, or energy transfer will likely have a need for thermal engineering expertise.
- What skills are most important for a thermal engineer?
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are essential. You’ll also need a solid understanding of thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and materials science. Proficiency in simulation software (e.g., ANSYS, COMSOL) and CAD tools is highly valuable.
- Is this a role that often requires fieldwork or lab work?
- While much of the work involves design and analysis, thermal engineers often spend time conducting tests, inspecting equipment, and troubleshooting issues on-site. Lab work may be involved in material testing and validation of prototypes.
- Thermal Engineer — is there a shortage in Europe?
- Yes. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a shortage was reported in 8 of the 13 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Spain and 4 more. Ireland has reported one for 4 consecutive years. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Thermal Engineer — what does it pay in the United States?
- $117,750 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $76,100 to $162,070. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.