Thermal Engineering Education Requirements

Thermal Engineering Education Requirements

A range of private enterprises actively seek to add thermal engineers to their organizations. From technology firms and automotive companies to utility power firms, the skills of a thermal engineer are sought to deliver efficient solutions to energy problems. Specifically these companies integrate engineers into projects such as refining power converters and circuit breakers; overseeing thermal design projects including analysis and manufacturing integrity; collaborating with manufacturing groups and vendors internally and externally to manage a product development cycle; and analyzing risks and opportunities with a given product or system. Traditionally, these professionals are required to travel to various locations for in-person consultations and evaluations of a facility or project. More senior professionals who assume management roles are required to recruit and manage teams of engineers in bringing to fruition a project within a designated corporate budget. Communication and people skills, of course, are a vital asset for professionals in this capacity. Global corporations such as Google, General Motors, Duke Energy, and Apple are a few of the firms seeking thermal engineers of various backgrounds to lead and execute their industry initiatives.

Though most universities in the United States do not offer formal degrees in thermal engineering, most candidates find employment with a Bachelor’s Degree in mechanical engineering. This level of education is required by employers in the industry. In this course of study, students complete coursework in thermodynamics, computer science and kinetics. Those students who elect to pursue more advanced study in the field at the Master’s and Ph.D. level access career opportunities in advanced research, design and quality control. Coursework at the Master’s level explore theory in heat transfer and mechanics rooted in computer modeling and smart materials that respond to temperature change. Doctoral students embark upon classwork in granular flows, electronics architecture, data storage solutions, as well as material innovation, whereby they assume titled roles like consultant analyst, heat engineer and quality assurance manager. These highly trained professionals are actively recruited by federal organizations like the U.S. Department of Energy and the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency in order to teach both graduate and undergraduate students at esteemed universities around the world. Candidates are served by also developing broader skills in terms of written and oral communication, leadership, negotiating, multitasking as well as team-building and management capacities.

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