Key Takeaways
- There are dozens of engineering disciplines. In Quebec’s industrial sector, the most common are industrial, mechanical, electrical, automation, chemical, and civil engineering.
- Each discipline follows a different logic: optimize, design, automate, transform, or build.
- To choose, start with what you enjoy doing day to day and the industry that appeals to you, before looking at a job title.
- In Quebec, only members of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ) can use the title of engineer.
Environmental engineer
Environmental engineers play a vital role in protecting our planet. Their mission is to develop sustainable solutions to environmental problems. That can mean waste management, biodiversity preservation, green technology design, and more. These professionals help strike a balance between industrial progress and ecosystem preservation, moving society toward a more sustainable future.
Industrial engineer
The industrial engineer is a planner and an optimizer. They analyze manufacturing processes, identify inefficiencies, and put solutions in place to improve productivity. Their expertise also extends to human resources management and efficient systems design. Their approach helps companies become more profitable and stay in business for the long haul.
Electrical engineer
Electrical engineers are the architects of modern electrical systems. They design and develop electrical installations, from electronic circuits to complex power grids. These professionals are at the forefront of innovation, working on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and electric mobility, helping shape the future of our connected society.
Mining engineer
A mining engineer’s expertise lies in the responsible and efficient extraction of minerals and precious metals. Armed with cutting-edge technology, they plan and oversee mining operations, with a particular focus on the safety and sustainability of both their teams and the environment they work in.
Food engineer
Food engineers combine engineering knowledge with food science to develop efficient production processes while maintaining the safety and quality of food products. These food industry jobs drive innovation in the sector, as engineers constantly look for ways to improve the shelf life, flavor, and nutrition of the products we eat every day.
Aeronautical engineer
Aeronautical engineers tackle the challenges of the sky and space to shape the future of aviation and space exploration. Their expertise spans a range of areas, from aircraft design to propulsion systems management. Here’s how they stand out in the field:
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Aircraft design – Aeronautical engineers design airplanes and spacecraft using advanced modeling software.
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Performance optimization – They work to improve the fuel efficiency, stability, and safety of aircraft.
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Space exploration – Some aeronautical engineers take part in space research projects, contributing to the exploration of the universe beyond our atmosphere.
Automotive engineer
Automotive engineers are the visionaries behind our ground transportation, driving the constant evolution of the auto industry. From vehicle electrification to automation, they are shaping the future of driving. Engineers also design advanced safety systems to prevent accidents and protect drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
When it comes to sustainability, these professionals work to make vehicles more environmentally friendly. From research on alternative fuels to improved energy efficiency, their work contributes to the shift toward more sustainable mobility.
Civil engineer
Civil engineers work across the full range of design and project management, shaping the world around us. In structural design, they create durable buildings, resilient bridges, and solid infrastructure, all while accounting for environmental constraints.
Project management is central to their work. From budgets to team coordination, they make sure every project is delivered efficiently and in compliance with standards.
Computer engineer
Computer engineers have expertise that goes well beyond coding, including the design of complex systems and technological innovation. In software development, they build the applications and systems that power our daily lives, from healthcare to education to entertainment. Computer engineers can also work to protect sensitive data and strengthen systems against cyber threats. Artificial intelligence and computer science research are also part of their field, paving the way for innovations such as robotics and machine learning.
Chemical engineer
The chemical engineer, or the microbiology engineer, explores new formulas and discovers innovative applications in R&D labs. They implement chemical processes in manufacturing, with a commitment to safety and sustainability.
You’re probably starting to see that there are many more types of engineers. We could also have covered the automation engineer or the mechanical engineer, but we’ve already dedicated career profiles to them! 😊
Types of engineers at a glance
The table below compares the disciplines on three criteria: what the engineer does, the industries where you’ll find them, and the profile that fits. It helps you tell apart two similar disciplines, like industrial and mechanical, before deciding. It includes automation engineering and mechanical engineering, which have their own career profiles.
| Discipline | What the engineer does | Typical industries | Profile that fits |
| Industrial | Optimizes processes and flows | Manufacturing, logistics, services | Efficiency, organization |
| Mechanical | Designs and tests machines and parts | Manufacturing, transportation, energy | Design, testing |
| Electrical | Designs electrical systems and networks | Energy, industry, transportation | Systems, innovation |
| Automation | Automates facilities and processes | Plants, industrial processes | Smart systems, data |
| Chemical | Implements transformation processes | Industry, R&D, laboratory | Rigor, processes |
| Civil | Designs and manages infrastructure | Construction, municipal | Large-scale projects, coordination |
| Environmental | Reduces environmental impact | Industry, consulting, public sector | Sustainability, fieldwork |
| Aeronautical | Designs aircraft, optimizes performance | Aerospace | Precision, safety |
| Automotive | Designs vehicle systems | Transportation, equipment suppliers | Innovation, mobility |
| Food | Secures and optimizes food production | Food processing | Quality, standards |
| Computer | Designs computer systems | IT, all industries | Logic, problem-solving |
| Mining | Plans and oversees mining operations | Mines, natural resources | Fieldwork, safety |
Which type of engineer should you choose based on your profile?
There’s no such thing as the best type of engineer in absolute terms: the right discipline is the one that matches what you enjoy doing day to day. Ask yourself three questions. Do you prefer to design, optimize, or supervise? Do you want to work in a plant, a lab, on a job site, or at a screen? Which industry appeals to you: manufacturing, energy, food, transportation? Your answers will quickly narrow the list to two or three disciplines. Then look at what the job actually involves, not just its title. In one of our food processing mandates, a first quality technician placement failed after a month because the real tasks were production work. The job description was rewritten with the client, and the next placement was completed within a month. Ask specific questions about the responsibilities as early as the interview.
| If you like… | Consider… |
| Optimizing processes and productivity | Industrial, continuous improvement |
| Designing parts and systems | Mechanical, R&D |
| Electrical systems and automation | Electrical, automation |
| Processes, formulas, and the lab | Chemical, process engineering |
| Large construction projects | Civil |
| Quality, compliance, and safety | Quality, HSE, food processing |
If compensation is part of your thinking, check out our article on salaries by type of engineer.
Find your engineering career with Fed Manutech
Because we work closely with the various engineering and industrial sectors, our engineering recruitment agency Fed Manutech is in the best position to help you find your next engineering job.
Don’t hesitate to send us your unsolicited application so we can bring your career plans to life together!
Your questions about types of engineers and engineering careers in Quebec
What’s the difference between an engineer and a technician?
An engineer holds a university bachelor’s degree in engineering (four years in Quebec) and must be a member of the OIQ to use the title. A technician or technologist holds a technical college diploma. Pathways between the two exist: the Industrial Engineering Technology program at Cégep de Limoilou offers 8 credited courses toward the bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering at UQTR.
Can you switch engineering disciplines during your career?
Yes, especially between neighboring disciplines: a production engineer can move into continuous improvement, and a mechanical engineer into automation. The switch requires complementary skills, gained on the job or through continuing education. According to Fed Manutech’s market analysis, hybrid profiles, both technical and digital, are becoming increasingly attractive.
Do you have to be an OIQ member to work as an engineer in Quebec?
As a general rule, yes: only members of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec, which has more than 70,000 members and future members, can use the title of engineer. The license is issued after a review of your file and passing the professional exam. In the meantime, a candidate can work under the supervision of a member engineer, without using the title.
What’s the difference between an industrial engineer and a production engineer?
The industrial engineer improves the system as a whole: flows, methods, resources, and productivity. The production engineer keeps a line or a shop running day to day: production rates, quality, and teams. The two work together, and the former often leads the improvement projects that the latter carries out on the floor.
How do you prepare for an engineering job interview?
Prepare specific examples of projects where you improved a result: the problem, the action, the outcome. Some employers use case scenarios or case studies to assess your concrete proposals right in the interview. For video interviews, test your equipment five minutes beforehand and look at the camera. Your resume should tell the same story of accomplishments: see how to write an engineer’s resume.
