Renewable energy jobs · Electrical Engineering

Electrical Engineering Jobs in Renewable Energy

Electrical engineers in the renewable energy sector design, test, and commission the power systems that connect wind turbines, solar arrays, battery storage, and EV charging stations to the grid -- work that sits at the technical core of the energy transition. The global energy sector employed 76 million people in 2024, with the power sector accounting for three-quarters of recent job growth, and electrical engineering roles are among the hardest to fill.

What the work looks like

The title "electrical engineer" covers a wide range in renewables. At the design end, you might model power systems for a 500 MW offshore wind farm or specify high-voltage switchgear for a solar plant. On the field side, solar technicians and wind turbine technicians -- two of the most frequently advertised roles on Rejobs -- wire, test, and troubleshoot generation equipment. In between sit substation engineers, protection and control specialists, and SCADA engineers who keep the grid stable as variable generation grows.

What distinguishes these roles from conventional electrical engineering is the pace of change. Grid codes are being rewritten to accommodate bidirectional power flows, battery-backed inverters, and vehicle-to-grid technology. Engineers who understand both classical power systems and digital grid controls command a premium.

Who is hiring

Wind turbine OEMs dominate hiring: Vestas, Nordex, and ENERCON together posted over 230 electrical engineering positions on Rejobs in the past year. Utilities and grid operators such as SSE Renewables and Enexis recruit heavily for substation and transmission roles. Independent developers like EDP Renewables need project engineers who can take a plant from design through commissioning. Berlin, Hamburg, London, and Glasgow are the strongest European hiring clusters.

The skills gap

The shortage is acute. Over 90% of European transmission system operators reported skill shortages directly delaying projects in 2025, and more than 45% of Europe's transmission engineering workforce was over 50. Protection and relay engineers are considered the single hardest power-systems role to hire across major European utilities. Senior high-voltage engineers in Germany, France, and the Nordics saw compensation rise 15-20% between 2024 and 2025 as employers compete for scarce talent. The IEA estimates that to prevent the global skills gap from widening further, the number of new qualified entrants into the energy sector would need to rise by 40% by 2030.

For engineers willing to specialise in renewable grid integration, power electronics, or battery management systems, this shortage translates directly into leverage -- stronger salaries, faster progression, and the ability to choose between employers rather than compete for positions.