Riding the Wave: Careers in Ocean Energy’s New Frontier.

Technical and Engineering Roles Driving Innovation

At the core of the industry are specialists working on the technology itself. Research and development teams, like those at CorPower Ocean focusing on our point-absorber Wave Energy Converter (WEC) design, are key to improving the efficiency and reliability of devices operating in harsh ocean conditions. Mechanical, electrical, control, software, and systems engineers are involved in developing the full range of components that make up a wave energy device. From structural integrity and power take-off systems to real-time monitoring software, their work determines the overall performance and viability of the technology.

In addition, marine engineers and field technicians are essential for open-water deployment, commissioning, and long-term testing – verifying that devices perform under real-world conditions and are ready for grid integration. Looking ahead, energy systems engineers will play a vital role in integrating wave energy into hybrid renewable parks that combine solar, wind, and storage. These co-located systems will require advanced modelling, control systems, and infrastructure planning to deliver stable, continuous power to national grids.

Supporting Specializations: Certification, Environment, and Finance

The wave energy sector also depends on a broad set of supporting roles. Certification engineers ensure that devices meet industry safety and performance standards, which is essential for investor confidence and permitting. Supply chain engineers help scale up production and deployment by designing efficient processes for sourcing materials, managing logistics, and coordinating across vendors.

And as ocean energy moves from demonstration to deployment, environmental monitoring engineers and coastal ecologists are needed to assess and mitigate the environmental impact of installations. Their expertise supports responsible development and long-term sustainability. Meanwhile, green finance specialists are critical to attracting capital into this emerging sector. They build financial models that reduce perceived risk, enable blended finance strategies, and link wave energy projects to global climate investment frameworks.

Project Development and Supply Chain Demand

Wave energy is likely to replicate the economic ripple effects already seen in the offshore wind sector.
For instance, Europe’s offshore wind has not only boosted renewable capacity but also strengthened its entire maritime supply chain. A 2025 study by the International Marine Contractors Association and PA Consulting found that, across Europe (including the UK and Norway), marine contracting for offshore renewables generated over €45 billion in direct gross value added (GVA) and supported around 220,000 direct jobs – rising to nearly 490,000 jobs and €80 billion in total GVA when indirect and induced impacts are included (2). Wave farms are expected to generate similar industrial demand as the ocean energy sector grows.

Wave energy projects require anchoring systems, subsea cables, composite materials, and deployment vessels. This creates a need for workers in manufacturing, welding, machining, and port operations, many of them located near deployment sites. In Scotland, marine energy has the potential to contribute £8 billion to the economy and create 15,000 jobs by 2050, according to recent research from the University of Edinburgh (3). Another industry analysis from the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation estimates that 15,600 UK jobs could be supported by wave and tidal energy deployments by mid-century (4).

Local Content – Manufacturing, Assembly, and Long-Term Operations

One of the key advantages of wave energy is its high local content potential. Unlike some renewable technologies that rely on imported parts, wave energy systems can often be manufactured and assembled domestically, especially in regions with existing maritime infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities. This creates significant opportunities in manufacturing, assembly, and operations and maintenance (O&M). These are roles that require skilled labour, such as welders, fabricators, technicians, and marine maintenance personnel, and often provide long-term, stable employment.

Countries across Europe, North America, and the Asia-Pacific are expected to benefit from wave energy projects located off their own coasts. With continued investment, this sector can support regional economic development, especially in areas affected by the decline of traditional maritime or fossil fuel industries. To meet this demand, training programs, university partnerships, and reskilling initiatives are already being developed. These efforts aim to ensure that the right skills are available to support industrial growth in a sustainable and inclusive way.

Education and Workforce Investment

Developing a workforce for ocean energy requires sustained investment in education, apprenticeships, and applied research. As such, Universities and technical colleges are launching new programs focused on marine renewable energy engineering, marine robotics, and environmental science. However, governments and private companies must also expand support for STEM education, vocational training, and on-the-job learning, especially in coastal regions where wave energy infrastructure will be built and operated.

The success of wave energy will ultimately depend not just on innovation, but on the people designing, building, and maintaining the systems. With the right training and workforce development strategies, the sector can become a long-term source of skilled employment and industrial growth.