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While architects design buildings for meeting occupants’ spatial, use, and aesthetic needs, architectural engineers make sure that these buildings are structurally sound, provide constant environmental comfort to occupants in winter and summer, power their lights, computers, and machines, and provide a safe escape in case of fire.

Architectural engineers differ from civil engineers. While both share a common knowledge of structures, civil engineers tend to apply this knowledge to bridges, roads, dams, and water reservoirs. Architectural engineers are interested in buildings, but their education goes beyond structural systems by including the engineering of other building parts, such as mechanical (HVAC), electrical, and fire safety systems. In addition, because architectural engineers work closely with architects in their education, they develop a good knowledge of architectural design and drawings as well as the appreciation of the history of our architectural heritage. Similarly to architects, architectural engineers, after earning an accredited degree, become registered professionals with required work experience and state licensing examinations.

Companies That Have Hired WPI Architectural Engineers

Simpson, Gumpertz, and Heger (SGH)
ARUP
Affiliated Engineers
Avery Dennison
RDK Engineers

Visit Career Cornerstone for more companies that hire architectural engineers.

Sample Job Titles

Architectural Engineer
Civil Engineer
Façade Engineer
Structural Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Energy Modeler
Electrical Engineer
Lighting Designer
Project Manager
Construction Management Project Manager

Visit the Civil Engineering page for additional job titles.

Sample Graduate Schools that have accepted WPI Architectural Engineering graduates

University of California, Berkeley
Stanford University
University of Texas, Austin
University of Colorado, Boulder
Carnegie Mellon University
University of Southern California

Sample Professional Associations and Clubs

Visit What Can I Do With This Major? for more associations and clubs.

Examples of MQPs

350 Mission: AEI Charles Pankow Student Design Competition
Addition to Kaven Hall – Performance-Based Design Using Energy Simulation Tools
Building Mechanical System Design for New Science Workplace
Energy Retrofit of Kaven Hall with Aerogel Application

Visit WPI’s Electronic Projects Collection for more MQP titles.

Popular Industries for Architectural Engineers

Architectural Engineering Firms
Colleges and Universities
Government (Federal, State, City)

Visit Career Cornerstone for a list of more industries.

Learn more about Architectural Engineering

Course Catalog

Career Development Center