Well-Paid Engineering Careers That Don’t Require a PE License

Think a Professional Engineer (PE) license is the only way to succeed in engineering? Discover how many pros are building high-paying, impactful careers without it — and the skills that help them stand out.

Many aspiring engineers believe that earning a Professional Engineer (PE) license is essential for building a successful career. While licensure is required for certain positions — particularly those involving public safety, project approvals, or government oversight — it is not the only path to success in the engineering profession.

In fact, of the more than two million engineers working in the United States, only about 478,802 hold an active resident PE license (PDF, page 36). ¹ This means the majority of engineers are advancing in high-impact roles, often with competitive salaries, without ever becoming licensed.

If you’re pursuing degrees in mechanical, civil, electrical, chemical, or industrial engineering, you will find that fields such as manufacturing, technology, energy, and research and development (R&D) offer dynamic and rewarding career opportunities where a PE license is not required.

This article explores several of these paths, showing how engineers thrive without PE licensure while continuing to shape the world through innovation and leadership. Interested in where your degree could take you? Explore NMSU Global Campus engineering programs to see how you can build your career on your own terms.

When is a PE License Required?

Before exploring careers that don’t require licensure, it helps to understand what a PE license represents. A Professional Engineer (PE) credential certifies that an engineer has met rigorous standards of education, experience, and examination. ² It signals to employers and the public that the engineer is both technically competent and legally accountable for their work.

An engineering license is generally required if you:

• Provide engineering services directly to the public, such as consulting on infrastructure or safety projects.
• Sign and seal engineering plans or drawings, taking legal responsibility for their accuracy and safety.
• Supervise projects for government agencies or municipalities, where regulatory compliance and public safety are critical.

In these situations, licensure is more than a formality; it ensures accountability, ethical responsibility, and adherence to quality standards.

That said, many engineers build long and successful careers in settings where licensure isn’t necessary. Roles in private industry, research and development (R&D), manufacturing, or corporate engineering typically operate under a licensed firm or within industries where designs don’t need official certification for public use. In these environments, engineers can hold well-compensated positions of high responsibility without ever pursuing a PE license.

High-Paying Engineering Roles Without a PE License

Not every engineering career requires licensure to make an impact or earn a competitive salary. Many positions in private industry, technology, and manufacturing focus on design, development, and systems optimization. In these areas, a PE license isn’t necessary.

In such roles, success is measured by technical expertise, innovation, and problem-solving rather than formal sign-off authority. For engineers who want to advance quickly and take on challenging projects, these positions can be excellent alternatives to traditional licensed pathways. The following careers highlight just a few of the opportunities available.

Chemical Process Engineer

What they do: Design and optimize chemical processes for industries such as pharmaceuticals, consumer products, and energy production. They focus on efficiency, safety, and scalability of chemical systems.

Degree path: A bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering allows graduates to enter the field. A master’s degree in chemical engineering offers advanced training in thermodynamics, process simulation, and plant design, which supports leadership or highly technical career tracks.

Why a PE license isn’t required: Most work occurs in industrial or laboratory settings with corporate oversight, rather than in contexts requiring individual legal accountability.

Electrical Design Engineer

What they do: Develop electrical systems for applications such as electronics, robotics, and renewable energy. They design circuits, evaluate prototypes, and ensure reliable functionality.

Degree path: A bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering is the entry point. A master’s degree in electrical engineering deepens technical expertise in circuit design, embedded systems, and advanced power applications, preparing graduates for more specialized or senior roles.

Why a PE license isn’t required: Their designs are created for private products and systems rather than public utilities that require formal certification.

Industrial Engineer

What they do: Optimize systems that involve people, materials, information, and technology to improve overall efficiency. Industrial engineers analyze workflows, design layouts, and streamline production or service delivery.

Degree path: A bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering provides the foundation for entering the field. An industrial engineering master’s degree builds on that base with advanced coursework in operations research, systems analysis, and quality management, which can accelerate career progression.

Why a PE license isn’t required: Their work is centered on internal organizational performance and systems optimization, rather than public projects that demand licensed approval.

Manufacturing Engineer

What they do: Improve production processes to enhance efficiency, safety, and quality. They identify bottlenecks, apply Lean or Six Sigma principles, and increase output without compromising safety.

Degree path: A bachelor’s degree in industrial or mechanical engineering prepares students for entry into the field. A Master of Science in Industrial Engineering, however, adds advanced study in process design and systems management, which can open pathways to management and specialized roles.

Why a PE license isn’t required: This role focuses on internal processes within factories or companies, not public-facing infrastructure that requires licensed oversight.

Mechanical Design Engineer

What they do: Design and develop mechanical components, machines, and systems using CAD and simulation software. They work on prototypes, product designs, and manufacturing improvements.

Degree path: A bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering is the standard entry point. A master’s in mechanical engineering provides deeper expertise in design principles, modeling, and system optimization, which can expand opportunities in advanced product development and leadership.

Why a PE license isn’t required: Their work is typically conducted in private industry for product development or internal use, where public approval of designs is not necessary.

Project Engineer

What they do: Oversee engineering projects from planning to completion, coordinating teams and ensuring that milestones are met. They often balance technical responsibilities with project management duties.

Degree path: A bachelor’s degree in civil, mechanical, or industrial engineering provides the technical foundation for entry. An engineering master’s degree broadens expertise across disciplines and supports advancement into management or leadership positions.

Why a PE license isn’t required: In private firms, project engineers can lead projects and deliver outcomes without needing licensure, particularly when working under a licensed supervisor.

Systems Engineer

What they do: Integrate complex technologies to ensure systems function together effectively. This work often applies to aerospace, defense, energy, and IT industries.

Degree path: A bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, or industrial engineering prepares graduates for entry-level systems roles. A Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering degree strengthens your capabilities in systems integration and multidisciplinary management, making it valuable for advanced positions. NMSU Global Campus also offers a Graduate Certificate in Systems Engineering you can earn in just one year.

Why a PE license isn’t required: The role emphasizes coordination, performance, and technology management rather than public certification or regulatory approval.

Engineering Salary and Career Outlook Without a PE License

Engineering remains one of the most lucrative career fields, even for those who never pursue licensure. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, architecture and engineering occupations earn a median annual wage of $97,310, nearly double the national average across all jobs. ³ The field is also projected to generate about 186,500 openings each year through 2034, fueled by both new positions and retirements.

Branches such as electrical, mechanical, industrial, and chemical engineering consistently rank among the most in-demand and highest paying, particularly in sectors like technology, energy, and advanced manufacturing. For students and professionals entering the workforce without a PE license, this translates into strong prospects for financial stability, career mobility, and long-term growth.

Success, however, depends on more than choosing the right role. Engineers who thrive without licensure often distinguish themselves through specialized skills and the ability to adapt to evolving technologies.

Job Skills that Help You Stand Out Without a PE License

While PE licensure can open certain doors, many engineering careers hinge more on the strengths you bring to the workplace than on a license. Employers consistently look for engineers who can solve problems, adapt to new technologies, and work effectively in complex environments. Building these capabilities not only sets you apart in competitive job markets but also creates pathways to leadership and advancement.

Key engineering career skills include:

• Problem-solving and critical thinking for tackling complex technical challenges
• Technical proficiency with industry-standard tools like CAD, MATLAB, and process simulation platforms
• Project management to lead teams and deliver results
• Communication and teamwork to collaborate across industries and disciplines
• Ethical and sustainable thinking to design solutions that balance innovation with responsibility

NMSU Global Campus engineering programs integrate these skills through project-based learning, real-world case studies, and practical technical training. Graduates leave prepared not only with the technical foundation for success but also with the adaptability to excel in high-paying roles that do not require licensure.

Build Your Engineering Career at NMSU Global Campus

A Professional Engineer (PE) license is one respected pathway in engineering, but it is not the only path. Many rewarding, high-paying careers do not require licensure, and employers value the skills and knowledge you bring just as much.

New Mexico State University is recognized as a leader in engineering education, offering programs that prepare graduates for success across fields such as mechanical, civil, electrical, chemical, and industrial engineering. Through NMSU Global Campus, you can access that expertise in a flexible online format designed for working professionals.

Advance Your Career with an Online Engineering Degree at NMSU Global Campus

References

1. “Squared 2024.” National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), PDF, page 36, February 2025.

2. “What is a PE — and Why Licensing Matters.” National Society of Professional Engineers, 2025.

3. “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Architecture and Engineering Occupations.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, last updated 28 August 2025.