Engineering Physicist

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

• 2006 NOC: Engineering Physicists and Engineering Scientists (2148.3) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Other Professional Engineers, n.e.c. (C048) 
• 2011 NOC: Other professional engineers, n.e.c. (2148) 
• 2016 NOC: Other professional engineers, n.e.c. (2148) 

Engineering physicists solve challenging problems and apply scientific discoveries in a practical way. They do this in fields involving many disciplines. They may help to develop new knowledge about lasers, optics, robotics, imaging systems, superconductors, hydrodynamics, thermodynamics, nanotechnology, or nuclear science. They may use this knowledge to develop new engineering methods and principles. They may also use it to design solutions to technical problems in the electronics, communications, aerospace, biomedical, or energy industries. The work may include numerical simulation methods to study complex multi-physics problems.

Engineering physicists work with other engineers and scientists. They integrate new findings on advanced and emerging technologies into processes for making and using other technology. The work that engineering physicists perform is constantly evolving. They often work in research and development or competitive high-tech industries.

Engineering physicists may help develop instruments, measurement techniques, or prototype systems related to:

• Acoustics such as sound reproduction, hall design, and speakers
• Communications such as fibre optics, lasers, antenna design, and wireless communications
• Electronics and computer technologies such as designing amplifiers, logic circuits, computer peripherals, and detectors
• Environmental sciences such as oceanography, pollution detection and control, meteorology, and climatology
• Instrumentation and control systems such as medical instruments and equipment, and sensing equipment
• Lasers and optics such as holography, non-linear optics, photonics, and telecommunications
• Materials science such as biomaterials, magnetic thin films, semiconductor devices, and superconductivity
• Medicine such as medical imaging techniques, radiation treatment, and prosthetics
• Microelectronics such as designing components and circuits, sensors, and novel processes
• Nanotechnology such as high-resolution imaging and structured engineered materials
• Nuclear or plasma science such as reactor design and waste management, and detecting radiation
• Space science such as designing instruments for satellite or ground-based observations

Engineering physicists must constantly update their knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advances in technology.

Engineering physicists work in office settings, industrial plants, and labs. They may work long hours. They may work under pressure to meet deadlines and define procedures and standards.

Engineering physicists work for:

• Engineering consulting firms
• Universities and other research and development facilities
• Governments
• Manufacturing and other private sector firms
• Resource and high-tech industries such as telecommunications, microelectronics, nuclear power, and aerospace

Engineering physicists often work with people from many other disciplines. The knowledge and skills they gain as they work may allow them to move into other areas of science and engineering. They may also move into sales, marketing, or management.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

In the 2148: Other professional engineers, n.e.c. occupational group, 81.9% of people work in:

• Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Agriculture
• Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction
• Public Administration
• Manufacturing
• Transportation and Warehousing

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

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Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

• Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation
• Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, the 2148: Other professional engineers, n.e.c. occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.6% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 39 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) website: www.apega.ca

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