Plant engineer NOC code
NOC 2021 code, TEER level and Express Entry status for plant engineer.
Last reviewed 2026-11-02 · Sources: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Quick answer
The NOC code for plant engineer is 21321 (Industrial and manufacturing engineers), a TEER 1 occupation — it counts as skilled work for Express Entry. It's a high-wage occupation (Level 2): +40 CRS for 12+ months of Canadian work, or 70 for a job offer. It's eligible for STEM category draws.
NOC code
21321
TEER 1 · skilled
High-wage
Level 2
+40 work · 70 job offer
Category draws
STEM
IRCC 2026 lists
What NOC 21321 covers
Industrial and manufacturing engineers conduct studies, and develop and supervise programs to achieve the best use of equipment, human resources, technology, materials and procedures to enhance efficiency and productivity. They are employed in consulting firms, manufacturing and processing companies, in government, financial, health care and other institutions, or they may be self-employed.
| Unit group | 21321 — Industrial and manufacturing engineers |
|---|---|
| TEER | TEER 1 — usually requires a university degree |
| Broad category | Natural and applied sciences and related occupations |
Main duties to compare with yours
- Plan and design plant layouts and facilities
- Study new machinery and facilities and recommend or select efficient combinations
- Develop flexible or integrated manufacturing systems and procedures
- Conduct studies and implement programs to determine optimum inventory levels for production and to allow optimum utilization of machinery, materials and resources
- Analyze costs of production
- Design, develop and conduct time studies and work simplification programs
To use NOC 21321 on an Express Entry profile or reference letter, your duties should match the lead statement and most of the main duties. See every duty and the full Express Entry breakdown for NOC 21321 →
Other job titles under NOC 21321
- Fire prevention engineer
- Industrial engineer
- Manufacturing engineer
- Production engineer
- Quality control engineer
- Safety engineer
- Computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) engineer
Similar titles in other NOC codes
If your duties don't match NOC 21321, one of these may fit better:
- Acid plant operator — NOC 93101 (Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing, TEER 3)
- Acoustics engineer — NOC 21301 (Mechanical engineers, TEER 1)
- Adhesives engineer — NOC 21320 (Chemical engineers, TEER 1)
- Aerodynamics engineer — NOC 21390 (Aerospace engineers, TEER 1)
- Aeronautical engineer — NOC 21390 (Aerospace engineers, TEER 1)
- Aerospace engineer — NOC 21390 (Aerospace engineers, TEER 1)
- Aerospace structural engineer — NOC 21390 (Aerospace engineers, TEER 1)
- Aerospace systems engineer — NOC 21390 (Aerospace engineers, TEER 1)
Calculate your CRS score → · All job titles A–Z · High-wage list
Sources: Statistics Canada, NOC 2021 Version 1.0 (example titles and duties); IRCC high-wage occupations and category-based selection lists. Check the official NOC site before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for plant engineer?+
In NOC 2021, "plant engineer" is an example title in unit group 21321 — Industrial and manufacturing engineers. It is a TEER 1 occupation in the "Natural and applied sciences and related occupations" broad category.
Is plant engineer eligible for Express Entry?+
NOC 21321 is TEER 1, which IRCC counts as skilled work experience for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class — provided your actual duties match the NOC description and you meet every other program requirement.
Does plant engineer get extra CRS points?+
Yes. NOC 21321 is on IRCC's high-wage list at Level 2. From November 3, 2026, 12+ months of qualifying Canadian work adds 40 CRS points, or a valid job offer is worth 70 (whichever is higher).
Can a plant engineer get a category-based Express Entry invitation?+
Yes — NOC 21321 is on IRCC's list for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations. You generally need have accumulated, within the past 3 years, at least 12 months of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time experience) — this experience does not need to be continuous.
What if my job title says plant engineer but my duties are different?+
IRCC assesses your duties, not your job title. Compare what you actually do with the lead statement and main duties of NOC 21321. If most of them don't match, look at the related occupations below or search the official NOC site.