Renewable Energy (onshore, offshore & marine) jobs and careers

As a discipline, Renewable Energy (onshore, offshore & marine) combines a wide range of principles such as Solar energy, Wind energy, Hydro energy, Tidal energy, Geothermal energy and Biomass energy.

Why consider a career within Renewable Energy? 

A career in Renewable Energy exposes you to an array of amazing industries. Your work can have you working on the design of new product innovation, from Wind farms to the full design/lifecycle of Solar parks. This is a highly rewarding industry, due to the positive impact it has on the planet, people as well as future generations.

What a job or career in Renewable Energy may entail… 

A career in Renewable Energy is rewarding, you will be involved in projects that have a positive impact on our planet and these projects can be located all over the world. Due to the ongoing growth and investment into the sector, there are always opportunities for personal development and growth within large organisations as well as SMEs that operate in this sector.

As a Renewable Energy professional, you often have the opportunity to work across the full product life cycle. Depending on the company and your position, this will be from requirements stages, through to design, production, manufacturing, delivery and continuous improvement stages.

On a principal level, you will have a mix of hands-on design, innovation, and leadership responsibilities. You will often be charged with liaising with senior management, to work through existing issues with technology and the ways in which the team can push the technology forward. You may also be leading and mentoring the more junior Engineers that are part of the team. Depending on your company, you may also be tasked with compiling and presenting on the current state of your product or project life cycle, and how you intend to take it forward.

Typical role titles include: 

Land Manager
Project Development Manager
Construction Manager
Asset Manager
Grid Manager
Solar Engineer
Wind Engineer
Project Manager
Energy Analyst
Solar Sales Manager

Career progression example: 

Director
Head
Lead
Principal
Senior

Salary Benchmarks 

This often comes down to speciality, location, experience and whether you pursued a masters.

Entry-level salaries range from £25k – £32k.

Mid-level salaries, normally sit between £30k and £50k.

Seniors normally earn between £45k and £60k.

On a Principal level, you would be looking for £60k – £80k.

Is it right for me? The skills it takes… 

Depending on your speciality you will need experience with the software used, report writing, low and zero carbon technologies, client management, and a passion for a greener future.

What qualifications does it take?

Often, clients will look for you to hold a Bsc in Engineering, Renewable Energy, Mathematics or Physics. Otherwise, they will look for candidates who have undertaken an apprenticeship related to the field. A technical background, be it academic or industry-related, is normally necessary to secure a role in the field.

CAREER PATH

This guide maps out the progression of roles in renewable energy, from entry-level technical roles through to senior leadership, including job descriptions, salary bands, and key skills for the UK market.

Renewable Energy Technician (Onshore/Offshore)

Salary: £24k – £32k
What They Do:
Installs, maintains, and repairs renewable energy systems such as wind turbines, solar panels, and marine energy devices.

Skills Needed:

  • Electrical and mechanical maintenance knowledge
  • Health & safety (GWO, IOSH certifications)
  • Rope access and working at heights (for offshore wind)
  • Basic data collection and reporting
  • Ability to work in challenging environments

Graduate Engineer / Junior Project Engineer

Salary: £28k – £35k
What They Do:
Supports the design, planning, and delivery of renewable energy projects, assisting senior engineers and project managers.

Skills Needed:

  • Knowledge of renewable energy technologies
  • CAD software and technical drawing ability
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
  • Project coordination and reporting
  • Understanding of regulatory and permitting processes

Project Engineer / Operations Engineer

Salary: £35k – £45k
What They Do:
Manages technical aspects of renewable energy projects, oversees contractors, and ensures health, safety, and quality standards are met.

Skills Needed:

  • Detailed engineering knowledge of wind, solar, or marine systems
  • Procurement and contractor management
  • Project scheduling and risk assessment
  • Budget management and cost control
  • Strong communication and leadership skills

Project Manager / Operations Manager

Salary: £45k – £60k
What They Do:
Delivers renewable energy projects from inception to completion, managing budgets, timelines, and teams.

Skills Needed:

  • Full project lifecycle management
  • Financial planning and reporting
  • Stakeholder engagement (landowners, local authorities, investors)
  • Knowledge of environmental impact assessments
  • Contract negotiation and management

Head of Projects / Head of Operations

Salary: £60k – £85k
What They Do:
Leads project delivery or operations across multiple renewable energy sites, sets strategic objectives, and drives commercial performance.

Skills Needed:

  • Multi-site leadership and team management
  • Regulatory and market insight
  • Ability to build strategic partnerships
  • P&L responsibility
  • Innovation and process optimisation

Renewable Energy Director / Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Salary: £90k – £130k+
What They Do:
Sets the company’s renewable energy strategy, drives growth, oversees operations, and engages with investors, government, and industry bodies.

Skills Needed:

  • Visionary leadership and sector expertise
  • Extensive experience in offshore, onshore, or marine energy
  • Strategic planning and investment management
  • Policy and regulatory engagement
  • Executive-level communication and board management

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