engineering processes
The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems.
Thermal engineers design systems which provide heating or cooling, using thermodynamics, that transfer heat or energy through liquids and gases. They also construct these systems, and perform test to ensure proper functionality.
Competences and skills
54 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 10 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
4 competencesheat 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.
mechanical engineering
Discipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.
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.
Cross-sector
6 competencesengineering principles
The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.
fluid mechanics
The characteristics and properties of fluids, including gases, liquids and plasmas, at rest and in motion, and the forces on them.
mechanics
Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.
sustainable technologies
Technologies with the aim of reducing environmental and ecological risks, achieving at the same time, a positive economic, social, and environmental impact. They are innovative technologies designed to prevent, reduce and recover from the negative impact of humanity in the planet.
green
technical drawings
Drawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.
digital
thermodynamics
The branch of physics that deals with the relationships between heat and other forms of energy.
Essential skills and competences 19 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
11 competencesdesign 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.
green
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.
green
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.
green
design thermal requirements
Engineer level design requirements for thermal products such as telecom systems. Improve and optimize these designs by using thermal solutions or experimentation and validation techniques.
interpret 2D plans
Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in two dimensions.
operate solar thermal energy systems for hot water and heating
Use solar tube collectors systems to generate and store domestic potable hot water and heating, in order to increase energy performance.
green
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.
green
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.
green
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.
green
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.
digital
use thermal management
Provide thermal management solutions for product design, system development and electronic devices used to protect high power systems and applications in demanding environments. These can be eventually collaborated with customers or other engineers.
digital
Cross-sector
8 competencesadjust engineering designs
Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.
approve engineering design
Give consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.
design engineering components
Design engineering parts, assemblies, products, or systems.
interpret 3D plans
Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.
manage engineering project
Manage engineering project resources, budget, deadlines, and human resources, and plan schedules as well as any technical activities pertinent to the project.
perform scientific research
Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
research
troubleshoot
Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
use technical drawing software
Create technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.
digital
Optional knowledge 5 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
2 competencescombined 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.
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.
green
Cross-sector
3 competencesCAD software
The computer-aided design (CAD) software for creating, modifying, analysing or optimising a design.
digital
- Scope note
- CAD software should be differentiated from computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) software. CADD systems are CAD systems with additional drafting features. For example, CADD systems enable an engineer or architect to insert size annotations and other notes into a design.
computational fluid dynamics
The principles of computer-manipulated fluid mechanics, which determines the behaviour of fluids in motion.
digital
power engineering
Subdiscipline of energy and electrical engineering which specialises in the generation, transmission, distribution, and usage of electrical power through the connection of electrical devices to motors, generators, and transformers, such as an AC-DC power adapter.
Optional skills and competences 20 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
12 competencesassess energy consumption of ventilation systems
Calculate and evaluate the total energy use of the ventilation system regarding electrical power consumption, heat loss of the system and the building, on a yearly base, in order to select a fitted concept.
green
design a solar absorption cooling system
Design an absorption cooling generation system with solar regeneration by heat tube collectors. Calculate accurate cooling demand of the building in order to select the right capacity (kW). Make a detailed design of the installation, principle, automatisation strategy, using available products and concepts, select fitted products.
green
design a solar heating system
Design a solar thermal energy system. Calculate accurate heating demand of the building, calculate accurate domestic hot water demand in order to select the right capacity (kW, litres). Make a detailed design of the installation, principle, automatisation strategy, using available products and concepts. Determine and calculate external heating.
green
design heat pump installations
Design a heat pump system, including calculations of heat loss or transmission, needed capacity, mono- or bivalent, energy balances, and noise reduction.
green
design hot water systems
Design hot water distribution systems for uses such as heating and distributing potable water. Design insulation systems and solutions for heat recovery. Consider the influence of insulation on the total demand for energy and calculate the insulation needs.
develop product design
Convert market requirements into product design and development.
develop software prototype
Create a first incomplete or preliminary version of a piece of software application to simulate some specific aspects of the final product.
digital
ensure equipment cooling
Make sure the machines and installations are properly supplied with air and coolants in order to prevent overheating and other malfunctions.
identify fitted source for heat pumps
Determine available heat and energy sources choosing among different types of available heat sources, taking into account the influence of source temperature on energy efficiency.
green
operate climate control
Operate climate control installations.
perform a feasibility study on combined heat and power
Perform the evaluation and assessment of the potential of combined heat and power (CHP). Realise a standardised study to determine technical demands, regulation and costs. Estimate the needed electrical power and heating demand as well as the heat storage needed in order to determine possibilities of CHP by means of load and load duration curves, and conduct research to support the process of decision making.
perform feasibility study on solar heating
Perform the evaluation and assessment of the potential of solar heating systems. Realise a standardised study to estimate the heat loss of the building and the heating demand, the demand of domestic hot water, the needed storage volume and the possible types of storage tank, and conduct research to support the process of decision making.
green
Cross-sector
8 competencescommunicate with customers
Respond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.
design firmware
Design the appropriate firmware to a specific electronic system.
digital
design prototypes
Design prototypes of products or components of products by applying design and engineering principles.
follow company standards
Lead and manage according to the organisation's code of conduct.
oversee quality control
Monitor and assure the quality of the provided goods or services by overseeing that all the factors of the production meet quality requirements. Supervise product inspection and testing.
report test findings
Report test results with a focus on findings and recommendations, differentiating results by levels of severity. Include relevant information from the test plan and outline the test methodologies, using metrics, tables, and visual methods to clarify where needed.
use testing equipment
Use equipment to test performance and operation of machinery.
wear appropriate protective gear
Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.