Society of Operations Engineers
SOE is the professional home for around 16,000 members working to inspect, maintain and manage the equipment and machinery which keeps people and businesses safe on a daily basis. We are a Professional Engineering Institution and registered charity, and our members work to implement smarter ways of working, improve maintenance and inspection processes, and embed environmentally friendly and sustainable engineering practice. SOE actively champions the next generation of engineers, and is passionate about making a global difference to the world around us.
Supporting careers
Diverse sectors linked by engineering excellence
Raising standards
Working in partnership to create industry standards
Strategic objectives
Charting the global future of operations engineering
Our sectors
Consisting of five professional sectors in particular technical specialisms.
Why join SOE?
I regard my SOE membership as an essential and valuable part of my professional credentials.
Chris Ellis MSOE MIRTE
I look back, and if I hadn’t joined professional institutions such as the SOE and BES, made the effort to attend meetings and the rest of it, then I wouldn’t have met the people to pull me through.
Dave Cooper MSOE MBES
Being a CEng and CEnv keeps me ahead of the game for professional standards and best practice sharing.
Jeffrey Yung CEng CEnv HonFSOE HonFIPlantE
I got the CEng and, from an aspirational point of view, I really wanted to achieve it because it’s the highest engineering qualification you can get. Also, if you look at the rail industry and many other industries, it’s become more or less a standard; it’s not a standard in the bus industry yet, but I think it will be one day – it’s definitely worth having.
James Higlett CEng AMSOE AMIRTE
Whether you are looking for professional registration to boost your career, comprehensive CPD support, or tailored knowledge and events, SOE membership offers the benefits you would expect from a Professional Engineering Institution.
Career Development
Whether you are an apprentice in your first HGV maintenance role, or a senior engineer responsible for the complex connected plant in an industry 4.0 ready factory, SOE supports career progression for as far as you want to go. We offer a CPD library, industry leading publications, mentoring, and a range of professional qualifications - with content relevant to all members as they continue their career journey.
Careers Advice For Engineers
Meeting modern CPD needs of engineers and employers
Become professionally registered
The global benchmark of recognition for engineering professionals
Technical guides for members
SOE produces a range of technical guides to support our members and industry in their roles. These guides are free to all SOE members, or can be purchased on request.
Upcoming Events
Take a look at our upcoming events at SOE!
Blackout: exposing the hidden risks of battery failure in lift passenger emergency systems
Paul Burns of D2E lift consultants explores the effects of poorly maintained back up batteries in lift systems
Site Visit: Leyland PR26 6TJ
Site Visit: Tour of the FOX GROUP facility in Leyland (Hurt Plant Hire) that will include the logistics administration hub, workshop facilities, recycling areas, crush plant, railhead, plant equipment and fleet vehicles.Road Transport Expo
Road Transport Expo (RTX) is the UK’s premier haulage tradeshow, featuring 300+ exhibitors, vehicle demos, and expert talks on compliance and green tech. Free to attend with parking included, it’s the go-to event for fleet solutions and industry networking.
The Future and Sustainability of Scania
CPD Presentation topics: The speaker will speak about the history of Scania Trucks/Haydock Group and the present range of company products. In addition to this future technology and customer driven developments within Scania trucks will be covered.
Recent News
Take a look at the recent news at SOE.
Setting New Standards: IRTE to Launch the Maintenance Provision Rating Scheme (MPRS) at the 2025 CV Show
The Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE) is preparing to unveil a transformative new industry benchmark, the Maintenance Provision Rating Scheme (MPRS).
IRTE Skills Challenge 2025: Paving the Way for Professional Growth in the Bus and Coach Industry
As we approach the 2025 edition, the competition continues to attract talented individuals eager to test their skills and gain valuable industry recognition.
IRTE Spotlights Career Development at CV Show 2025
The Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE) is putting career development and professional credentials in the spotlight at this year’s CV Show.
Imperial Engineering Sponsors 2025 IRTE Skills Challenge, Supporting Future Bus and Coach Engineering
Imperial Engineering, a leading PSV parts distributor, is proud to continue its sponsorship of the 2025 IRTE Skills Challenge, reinforcing its commitment to developing skilled bus and coach engineers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our frequently asked questions.