Nestorbot
Science & ResearchISCO 2149

Compliance engineer

A compliance engineer is a person who works to keep systems as closely aligned with their technical specifications as possible, and who makes sure the engineering itself complies with regulations, safety measures and the organisation's internal directives. The field is not fixed to one discipline: the same role appears around mechanical, electrical and electronic systems.

Take the free testCheck yourself in a minute ↓AI risk: 78/100 (very high risk)

Check yourself in a minute: compliance engineer

Rate 5 of the 14 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

ensure compliance with legal requirements

create manufacturing guidelines

write specifications

perform scientific research

use technical drawing software

About compliance engineer

Requirements are the starting material. The engineer interprets technical requirements, determines what the requirements for a given system actually are, and writes the specifications that the design and the suppliers will be held to. The wording of each requirement is kept unambiguous.

The engineer also carries out the inspections required by international conventions, examines systems against the specification rather than against what was intended, and sees that legal requirements are observed. Knowledge of engineering fundamentals and of manufacturing processes decides whether a deviation found on the line is a defect or an acceptable variation.

Documentation carries the result. The engineer works in computer-aided design software to read and mark up drawings, and keeps the record that shows a system was checked, against what, and with what outcome. That record allows any compliance decision to be traced back later, when a regulator, a customer or an auditor asks about it.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (14)

engineering principlesengineering principlesThe engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.manufacturing processesmanufacturing processesThe steps required through which a material is transformed into a product, its development and full-scale manufacturing.technical drawingstechnical drawingsDrawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.project managementproject managementThe discipline of project management, the activities which comprise this area and the variables implied in it, such as time, resources, requirements, deadlines, and responding to unexpected events.quality standardsquality standardsThe national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.ensure compliance with legal requirementsensure compliance with legal requirementsGuarantee compliance with established and applicable standards and legal requirements such as specifications, policies, standards or law for the goal that organisations aspire to achieve in their effo...create manufacturing guidelinescreate manufacturing guidelinesDraft procedures and guidelines to ensure that government and industry regulations are met by manufacturers in both international and domestic markets.write specificationswrite specificationsWrite documents where the expected characteristics of a product or service are specified. Make sure all necessary properties of the product or service are covered. Balance the level of detail with the...perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.use technical drawing softwareuse technical drawing softwareCreate technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.manage engineering projectmanage engineering projectManage engineering project resources, budget, deadlines, and human resources, and plan schedules as well as any technical activities pertinent to the project.perform inspections required by international conventionsperform inspections required by international conventionsPerform inspections as required by international conventions. Understand procedures and regulations to ensure compliance.interpret technical requirementsinterpret technical requirementsAnalyse, understand and apply the information provided regarding technical conditions.define technical requirementsdefine technical requirementsSpecify technical properties of goods, materials, methods, processes, services, systems, software and functionalities by identifying and responding to the particular needs that are to be satisfied acc...
Optional (22) — show
electrical engineeringelectrical engineeringThe field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.security engineeringsecurity engineeringInterdisciplinary field of study that focuses on the realisation of secure systems and the technology to protect individuals or information from malice, errors, or unauthorized access. It involves def...electronicselectronicsThe functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications.mechanical engineeringmechanical engineeringDiscipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.industrial engineeringindustrial engineeringThe field of engineering concerned with the development, improvement, and implementation of complex processes and systems of knowledge, people, equipment, etc.radiation protectionradiation protectionThe measures and procedures used to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation.communicate regulationscommunicate regulationsKeep relevant persons and department up-to-date with new or revised regulations in order that product requirements and specifications are met at all times.consult with technical staffconsult with technical staffSeek the advice of technical staff concerning the requirements, operation, and use of various products and systems.apply radiation protection proceduresapply radiation protection proceduresInspect rules related to ionising radiation and ensure these abide by the Medical Exposure Directive (MED).troubleshoottroubleshootIdentify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.advise on safety improvementsadvise on safety improvementsProvide relevant recommendations following the conclusion of an investigation; ensure that recommendations are duly considered and where appropriate acted upon.train staff about product featurestrain staff about product featuresProvide training to a staff of employees or design team about product characteristics and specific product features.advise on equipment maintenanceadvise on equipment maintenanceAdvise customers on the appropriate products, methods and, if necessary, interventions to ensure proper maintenance and prevent premature damage of an object or an installation.archive documentation related to workarchive documentation related to workSelect relevant documentation related to the ongoing or complete work and take steps to archive it in a way that ensures its future accessibility.identify customer's needsidentify customer's needsUse appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.meet deadlinesmeet deadlinesEnsure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.manage contractsmanage contractsNegotiate the terms, conditions, costs and other specifications of a contract while making sure they comply with legal requirements and are legally enforceable. Oversee the execution of the contract, ...ensure cross-department cooperationensure cross-department cooperationGuarantee communication and cooperation with all the entities and teams in a given organisation, according to the company strategy.collaborate with designerscollaborate with designersCommunicate and collaborate with fellow designers in order to coordinate new products and designs.ensure compliance with radiation protection regulationsensure compliance with radiation protection regulationsMake sure the company and the employees implement the legal and operational measures established to guarantee protection against radiation.train employeestrain employeesLead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the perform...analyse production processes for improvementanalyse production processes for improvementAnalyse production processes leading toward improvement. Analyse in order to reduce production losses and overall manufacturing costs.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

component engineer9 shared essential skillsequipment engineer9 shared essential skillsprocess engineer9 shared essential skillsapplication engineer8 shared essential skillsdesign engineer8 shared essential skillslanguage engineer8 shared essential skillslogistics engineer8 shared essential skillsprecision engineer8 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a compliance engineer do?

Compliance engineers strive to keep the highest compliance of systems with engineering specifications. They can exert compliance in a varied array of engineering fields including mechanical, electrical, electronical systems. They ensure the engineering complies with regulations, safety measures, and internal directives.

What skills does a compliance engineer need?

A compliance engineer needs 14 essential skills, including engineering principles, manufacturing processes, technical drawings, project management, quality standards.

Will AI replace compliance engineer jobs?

The AI disruption score for compliance engineer is 78/100 (very high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: quality standards, archive documentation related to work, communicate regulations. Most resilient: collaborate with designers, consult with technical staff, security engineering.

AI Replacement Risk

78/ 100
Very High Risk
Low riskHigh risk

This is the average for the whole occupation. The AI Career Shield test (about 10 minutes) shows the risk in your own work and what you can do about it.

Check your own AI risk
View full AI disruption analysis →

Quick Facts

SectorScience & Research
ISCO GroupScience and engineering professionals
Essential Skills14

Is compliance engineer right for you?

Take the free 10-minute Career Portrait to see which career direction fits your motivations and strengths.

Take the free test