Science & ResearchISCO 2151

Smart home engineer

A smart home engineer is a person who designs, installs and commissions the automation systems in a house: heating, ventilation and air conditioning, lighting, blinds and shading, irrigation, security and alarms, and the connected devices that tie them together.

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Rate 5 of the 32 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

develop energy saving concepts

design electrical systems

cooperate with colleagues

assess integrated domotics systems

design a domotic system in buildings

About smart home engineer

Smart home engineering begins on paper. The engineer designs the home automation system for a particular building, works out the wiring layout and the cable routes, and decides where each component sits and how it will look once installed. Building information modelling is used to keep that design consistent with the rest of the building. From there the work moves on site: installing the components, programming them so that they respond to each other rather than acting separately, and running acceptance tests before the system is handed over.

The engineer works with the people whose decisions shape the result — the client, the architect, the electrician and the other trades on site — so that what is installed matches what was agreed.

The role sits between several fields. It draws on electrical engineering for the wiring and the devices, computing and software prototyping for the control logic, building automation for the systems themselves, and energy efficiency, since much of what home automation is asked to do is to use less power. Formal requirements are set by the employer and by the electrical regulations of each country.

European Skills Framework

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

Essential (32)

building systems monitoring technologybuilding systems monitoring technologyComputer-based control systems that monitor mechanical and electrical equipment in a building such as HVAC, security and lighting systems.alarm systemsalarm systemsSecurity systems in buildings and on properties automatically alarming security companies or producing acoustic or audio-visual signals when break-in, theft or damage of property is detected.electrical engineeringelectrical engineeringThe field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.technical drawingstechnical drawingsDrawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.programmable logic controllerprogrammable logic controllerProgrammable logic controllers or PLC's are computer control systems used for the monitoring and control of input and output as well as the automation of electromechanical processes.building automationbuilding automationType of automatic control system where through a Building Managements System or Building Automation System (BAS) the control of a building's ventilation, humidity, heating, lighting and other systems ...sensorssensorsSensors are transducers that can detect or sense characteristics in their environment. They detect changes in the apparatus or environment and provide a corresponding optical or electrical signal. Sen...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.smart grids systemssmart grids systemsSmart grids are a digital electricity network. The system involves the electronic digital control of production, distribution and use of electricity, information management of the components and energ...computer sciencecomputer scienceThe scientific and practical study that deals with the foundations of information and computation, namely algorithms, data structures, programming, and data architecture. It deals with the practicabil...artificial lighting systemsartificial lighting systemsTypes of artificial lighting and their power consumption. HF fluorescent lighting, LED lighting, natural daylight and programmed control systems allow an efficient use of energy.computer engineeringcomputer engineeringEngineering discipline that combines computer science with electrical engineering to develop computer hardware and software. Computer engineering occupies itself with electronics, software design, and...electronicselectronicsThe functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications.3D modelling3D modellingThe process of developing a mathematical representation of any three-dimensional surface of an object via specialised software. The product is called a 3D model. It can be displayed as a two-dimension...cloud technologiescloud technologiesThe technologies which enable access to hardware, software, data and services through remote servers and software networks irrespective of their location and architecture.domotic systemsdomotic systemsResidential intelligent building installations for lighting, heating, security, etc that can be controlled remotely. Domotic systems aim at improving the quality of life inside houses and buildings, i...types of alarm systemstypes of alarm systemsCharacteristics, price, workings and installation of various alarm systems such as landline, cellular or broadband, wired or wireless.energy conservationenergy conservationThe practice of reducing energy consumption and using fewer energy services. As a sustainable process, energy conservation is done by replacing used energy with alternative sources, using more efficie...Internet of ThingsInternet of ThingsThe general principles, categories, requirements, limitations and vulnerabilities of smart connected devices (most of them with intended internet connectivity).building information modellingbuilding information modellingA software platform for integrated design, modelling, planning, and collaboration, which provides a digital representation of a building's characteristics in its whole lifecycle.develop energy saving conceptsdevelop energy saving conceptsUse current research results and collaborate with experts to optimise or develop concepts, equipment, and production processes which require a lesser amount of energy such as new insulation practices ...design electrical systemsdesign electrical systemsDraft sketches and design electrical systems, products, and components using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software and equipment. Draw panel arrangement layouts, electrical schematics, electrical wirin...cooperate with colleaguescooperate with colleaguesCooperate with colleagues in order to ensure that operations run effectively.assess integrated domotics systemsassess integrated domotics systemsUnderstand designs and specifications provided by producers of domotics integrated systems and choose a concept that fulfils specific needs within the project.communicate with customerscommunicate with customersRespond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.design a domotic system in buildingsdesign a domotic system in buildingsDesign a complete domotic system for buildings, taking into account every chosen component. Make a weighting and balancing between which components and systems should be included in domotics and which...provide advice to hatcheriesprovide advice to hatcheriesProvide recommendations for the installation and well functioning of hatcheries.perform ICT troubleshootingperform ICT troubleshootingIdentify problems with servers, desktops, printers, networks, and remote access, and perform actions which solve the problems.develop software prototypedevelop software prototypeCreate a first incomplete or preliminary version of a piece of software application to simulate some specific aspects of the final product.design application interfacesdesign application interfacesCreate and program application interfaces, their operations, inputs and outputs and underlying types.apply technical communication skillsapply technical communication skillsExplain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.design electronic systemsdesign electronic systemsDraft sketches and design electronic systems, products, and components using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software and equipment. Make a simulation so that an assessment can be made of the viability of...

Optional (11) — show

electricity consumptionelectricity consumptionThe different factors which are involved in the calculation and estimation of electricity consumption in a residence or facility, and methods in which electricity consumption can be lowered or made mo...C#C#The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in C#.ICT communications protocolsICT communications protocolsThe system of rules which allow the exchange of information between computers or other devices via computer networks.SketchBook ProSketchBook ProThe computer program SketchBook Pro is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by the software ...C++C++The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in C++.Python (computer programming)Python (computer programming)The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Python.provide ICT system trainingprovide ICT system trainingPlan and conduct training of staff on system and network issues. Utilise training material, evaluate and report on the learning progress of trainees.perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.select sustainable technologies in designselect sustainable technologies in designProduce a holistic design, which includes passive measures that are complemented by active technologies in a sensible way.support ICT system userssupport ICT system usersCommunicate with end users, instruct them on how to progress with tasks, use ICT support tools and methods to solve problems and identify possible side effects and provide solutions.instruct on energy saving technologiesinstruct on energy saving technologiesInstruct the facility manager or similar figures on monitoring parameters, to guarantee that the system achieves the designed energy saving goals.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a smart home engineer do?

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.

What skills does a smart home engineer need?

A smart home engineer needs 32 essential skills, including building systems monitoring technology, alarm systems, electrical engineering, technical drawings, programmable logic controller.

Will AI replace smart home engineer jobs?

The AI disruption score for smart home engineer is 72/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: electricity consumption, sensors, domotic systems. Most resilient: cooperate with colleagues, cloud technologies, provide advice to hatcheries.

AI Replacement Risk

72/ 100

High Risk

Low riskHigh risk

Skills most at risk from AI

electricity consumption sensors domotic systems

Skills resilient to automation

cooperate with colleagues cloud technologies provide advice to hatcheries

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Quick Facts

SectorScience & Research

ISCO GroupScience and engineering professionals

Essential Skills32

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