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Power, process and mobile plant specialists

IPlantE was one of the two constituent bodies which merged to form SOE (as the Institution of Plant Engineers). Plant Engineers are involved in maintenance and operation of a fixed and mobile machine assets . In practice you will find plant engineers working across most industries. 

The IPlantE Professional Sector Council (PSC) is dedicated to improving maintenance, operational and safety standards across a range of plant. They act as a representative voice in industry for our plant members, and is currently working on the following initiatives:

  • Working to develop industry wide technician accreditation with our industry partners
  • Representing SOE's interests on the board of Society for the Environment
  • Working with the RAF to widen and fast track Engineering Council registration
     
What makes a modern plant engineer?

The machinery worked on by plant engineers can greatly vary across sectors, we have members involved in the following, to name a few:

  • Power and utilities
  • Process and chemical
  • Manufacturing
  • Construction
  • Building services
  • Mobile and machinery
  • Transport infrastructure 
  • Defence and military 

What is common, wherever they work, is a high level of technical knowledge, incredible problem solving skills and the ability to think ahead. Plant engineers are responsible for ensuring large, complex systems and machinery don't fail, that they are maintained to exacting safety standards and are kept at peak performance to the end of their operational life. Many of our plant members are registered to Incorporated or Chartered Engineer, and the majority of our Chartered Environmentalist members sit in this professional sector.

Ready to take the next step?

Join SOE today

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The Thames Barrier: Engineering Resilience on the River Thames

The Thames Barrier is one of the UK’s greatest engineering achievements, as climate change intensifies, its design shows the value of resilience.

Everything UK Engineers Need to Know About the 2025 UK-EU Trade Deal

Discover how the 2025 UK-EU trade agreement impacts UK engineers, focusing on emissions trading, carbon taxes, and steel exports.

Ministerial appreciation for 20 years of invaluable Chartered Environmentalists

Marking 20 years of the Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) registration, Mary Creagh CBE MP expresses her gratitude for the invaluable contributions of Chartered Environmentalists.

View all resources

 
Plant related events
OWL NI
IRTE members and friends are invited to attend OWL NI, in partnership with IRTE Ireland North Centre, taking place at the Titanic Centre in Belfast on 23 October 2025.
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Knorr-Bremse: Introducing the iTEBSX System
Join the IRTE Northern Centre for a CPD presentation by Richard Veasey of Knorr-Bremse. Discussing the company’s evolution, future technologies, and the UK launch of the iTEBSX trailer EBS system.
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The Later Avon Valley Copper & Brass Industry 1740 to 1925 Presentation
Join us for our next presentation, “The Later Avon Valley Copper & Brass Industry 1740–1925,” with speaker Tony Coverdale. Discover how the Avon Valley became a centre of innovation in brass and copper production from the pioneering work of William Champion to the lasting legacy of the Bristol Brass Company at Keynsham and Saltford.

Find and book events

 


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