About skills and jobs

There are two important considerations when looking for work as an engineer in Canada:

  •     Your type of engineering and skills
  •     Locations best suited to your type of engineering

By learning about these, you will be better prepared to begin the licence application process and find work.

Types of engineering

Specific names of engineering disciplines and job titles vary from country-to-country. One of the best ways to learn about the jobs best matched to your skill set in Canada is through the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system. Engineering job titles are group under Natural and Applied Sciences and Related Occupations list. This list provides sample job titles and descriptions, as well as their related skills.

Please note that not all jobs with “engineer” in their title require a licence. Sound engineers and locomotive engineers, for example, do not require an engineering licence.

Where to practise engineering in Canada

The demand for different types of engineering varies across Canada and is based on regional differences in geography, industry, and natural resources. For example, naval engineering jobs are found in coastal provinces like British Columbia and Nova Scotia.

Several tools are available to help you determine which province is best suited to your expertise:

  • The Labour Market Report provides information about current supply and demand needs for engineers and projects through to the year 2025.
  • Explore an occupation provides information about engineering jobs in Canada, including opportunities, wages, qualifications, and skill requirements.

Related Information

Find your provincial or territorial regulator

To work as a professional engineer in one of Canada's provinces or territories, you must receive a licence from that province or territory's engineering association.