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Smart home engineer

Also called domotics engineer, smart home designer, home automation specifier

Smart home engineers are responsible for the design, integration and acceptance testing of home automation systems (heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, solar shading, irrigation, security, safety, etc.), which integrate connected devices and smart appliances within residential facilities. They work with key stakeholders to ensure the desired project outcome is achieved including wire design, layout, appearance and component programming.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospectsShortage in 16 countries now. 40 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Science and engineering professionalsWhat does it pay?Above averageFrom about €2,000 (Bulgaria) to €7,100 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Science and engineering professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree9 in 10 have a degree.Science and engineering professionalsWill AI change it?Very littleLevel 1 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Electrical engineers · ILO

What you'd do

Electrical engineers · ILO
  • Advising on and designing power stations and systems which generate, transmit and distribute electrical power
  • Supervising, controlling and monitoring the operation of electrical generation, transmission and distribution systems
  • Advising on and designing systems for electrical motors, electrical traction and other equipment, or electrical domestic appliances
  • Specifying electrical installation and application in industrial and other buildings and objects
  • Establishing control standards and procedures to monitor performance and safety of electrical generating and distribution systems, motors and equipment
  • Determining manufacturing methods for electrical systems, as well as maintenance and repair of existing electrical systems, motors and equipment
Design electronic systemsApply technical communication skillsDesign electrical systemsAssess integrated domotics systemsCommunicate with customers+ 8 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • Sitting most of the day
  • Lots of contact with people
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the related, broader US job "Mechatronics Engineers"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

16 EU countries are short of electrical engineers now, and many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as science and engineering professionals in the EU
5.82m7.82m9.03m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
948,000 new jobs 2,300,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Science and engineering professionals40
All jobs29
Right now
16 of 27 countries report a shortage of electrical engineers, 3 a surplus.
Electrical engineers · EURES

What does it pay?

Above average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €2,000 a month (Bulgaria) to €7,100 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among professionals in the EU, women earn 21% less per hour than men. Professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree in electronics and automation is the usual route.

Highest qualification of science and engineering professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 90%Vocational 6%General secondary 3%Basic schooling 1%
Field that teaches it
Electronics and automation
Vocational route, EU
6 in 10 trainees in this field
Engineering graduates in a matching job
73% in the EU

949 institutions in the EU offer engineering bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Very little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.31 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 6 tasks
Advising on and designing power stations and systems which generate, transmit and distribute electrical power0.44
Advising on and designing systems for electrical motors, electrical traction and other equipment, or electrical domestic appliances0.36
Establishing control standards and procedures to monitor performance and safety of electrical generating and distribution systems, motors and equipment0.35
Supervising, controlling and monitoring the operation of electrical generation, transmission and distribution systems0.30
Specifying electrical installation and application in industrial and other buildings and objects0.23
Determining manufacturing methods for electrical systems, as well as maintenance and repair of existing electrical systems, motors and equipment0.21

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for electrical engineers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).