About us

Representing more than 16,000 engineers in transport, plant and the engineer surveying industries, the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE) is one of the top 15 professional bodies for the engineering industry in the UK.

The Society's aim is to be recognised as a leading and relevant professional organisation, continually delivering best practice among engineers and their related companies.

This is achieved through the promotion of safe, efficient and environmentally sustainable operations engineering for the benefit of the community at large. The SOE also supports best practice, health and safety initiatives and a commitment to the professional development of its members.

SOE offers its members continuous professional development and support throughout their engineering careers and provides a definitive recognition of status and achievement. The organisation is a licensed member of ECUK and is can nominate members for ECUK registration at Engineering Technician (EngTech), Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and Chartered Engineer (CEng) levels. Visit the ECUK website.

SOE members obtain post-nominal letters, exclusive access to the members-only section of the SOE website, free entry to a number of technical events and seminars and receive two regular journals.

Three professional engineering sectors make up the SOE; The Institution of Plant Engineers (IPlantE), Bureau of Engineer Surveyors (BES) and Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE). The IRTE pioneered and operates the irtec licensing scheme, a renewable voluntary testing and assessment scheme that certifies the theoretical and practical skills of heavy goods and light commercial vehicle technicians.