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, speakers)
• communications (such as fibre optics, lasers, antenna design, wireless communications)
• electronics and computer technologies (such as designing amplifiers, logic circuits, computer peripherals, detectors)
• environmental science (such as oceanography, pollution detection and control, meteorology, climatology)
• instrumentation and control systems (such as medical instruments and equipment, sensing equipment)
• lasers and optics (such as holography, non-linear optics, photonics, telecommunications)
• materials science (such as biomaterials, magnetic thin films, semiconductor devices, superconductivity)
• medicine (such as medical imaging techniques, radiation treatment, prosthetics)
• microelectronics (such as designing components and circuits, sensors, novel processes)
• nanotechnology (such as high-resolution imaging, structured engineered materials)
• nuclear or plasma science (such as reactor design and waste management, radiation detection)
• 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 need to have:

• natural curiosity and observation skills
• critical thinking and problem solving skills
• expertise in physics and math
• attention to detail
• creativity and persistence
• the ability to see how complex processes and equipment go together
• speaking and writing skills
• the ability to work on their own and in a team of people from different backgrounds
• a desire for ongoing learning in a variety of disciplines.

They should enjoy:

• synthesizing information
• working on tasks that require precision
• consulting with and directing the work of others.

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, 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.

Engineering physicists are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 2148: Other professional engineers. In Alberta, 86% of people employed in this classification work in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry.

The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events that affect overall employment (especially in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities that come up when people leave existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities that come up when new positions are created)
• size of the occupation.

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

In Alberta, the C048: Other Professional Engineers, n.e.c. occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 1.8% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 95 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

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

For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.