It must fulfil a need, work well and look good - every innovative solution that Design Engineers generate across diverse sectors must meet the criteria of functionality, performance, aesthetics, and more. Whether developing new products, processes, systems and services or improving existing ones, Design ... Continue Reading
USA 
UK 
Explore Career
What are the typical responsibilities of a Design Engineer?
A Design Engineer would typically need to:
The work of Design Engineers is typically office-based. Their workspace usually comprises a dedicated workstation equipped with a computer and design engineering tools. They use CAD (computer-aided design) and CAE (computer-aided engineering) software to translate ideas into plans and models.
The travel requirements of Design Engineers depend on the industry or organisation they work for and the specific project they are engaged with. They may need to travel to attend training sessions, conferences and workshops.
Design Engineers typically work 9 am to 5 pm but must be prepared to work late nights, holidays or weekends to meet project deadlines. Specific work schedules may vary from one company to another.
Research suggests that flexible hours and generous telework policies appeal more than salary to the younger generation. There has been an incremental increase in employers willing to give promising employees a chance to adjust their schedules per the job demands. Recruitment agencies may also help aspiring Design Engineers find short-term contracts. Freelancing may be possible right after graduation or after you build sufficient experience and a robust network.
Finding a new job might seem challenging. Design Engineers can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, from blue chip to SMEs in both the public and private sectors, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.
Self-employment and freelance work are possible in product and industrial design engineering right after graduation or after acquiring experience and building a network.
Design Engineers are generally employed by:
Professional associations and organisations, such as the Design Society (DS), are crucial for Design Engineers interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation.
Professional associations provide their members with various continuing education and networking opportunities, and mentorship services. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.
Academic programs that potential Design Engineers take up typically require a period of supervised experience, such as an internship, which helps you gain practical experience in and exposure to real-world design engineering projects.
Co-op programs are another way of gaining hands-on experience while at college or university. Engineering apprenticeships allow you to earn while you learn, thus building practical skills and experience and opening up the door to receiving a job offer from the employer for whom you work as an apprentice.
Design Engineers will benefit from tasks outside the classroom that align perfectly with lessons inside it. One may hear countless stories from more experienced professionals and obtain valuable hands-on experience when they turn seemingly routine incidents into unique learning moments.
Summer internships, part-time work at an entry-level position or short-term paid/voluntary work offer a taste of the career, give valuable insight into how a company or institution operates, help build useful contacts and improve one’s prospects of getting a permanent job.
The experience may also help determine whether the public, private or voluntary sector is best suited to realise one’s ambitions. Your educational provider’s career service department can provide information about viable opportunities for work placements, internships and voluntary work in diverse sectors.
Start to build your online portfolio showcasing your skills and experience to prospective employers by undertaking personal design projects, such as building prototypes, designing websites and creating 3D models. Freelancing and consultancy work enable you to expand your portfolio to include diverse projects while also networking with clients.
Another useful avenue to foster your creativity and technical expertise is participating in industry challenges, design contests and hackathons, which provide a platform to demonstrate your abilities and learn to work under pressure while applying your knowledge to help solve real-world challenges.
Once they land entry-level jobs, Design Engineers may learn from experienced engineers and help complete various challenging tasks and projects, building the experience and capabilities to generate creative solutions, which they can also showcase to current and prospective employers.
Some niche areas of design engineering, such as the automotive industry and electronics, may call for specialised knowledge and experience.
Even while in high school, you can check with a teacher or counsellor about relevant work-based learning opportunities available in your school or community that can help you connect your school experiences with real-life work. Join some groups, try some hobbies or volunteer with an organisation of interest, so you can have fun while learning about yourself and be directed toward a future career.
Read about the profession and interview or job shadow experts in design engineering to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.
A bachelor's degree in design, mechanical, electrical, chemical, civil or agricultural engineering or a relevant field is typically the minimum academic requirement for an aspiring Design Engineer to land a job. Pursuing a conversion course in some locations may be possible if you hold a bachelor’s degree in a subject that is not directly related to design engineering. It is useful to learn about machining, steel fabrication and welding.
In some cases, it may be possible to enter the field of design engineering through the route of vocational training, a foundation degree, an associate degree, or a higher national diploma (HND), choosing subjects such as engineering product design, industrial design, computer-aided design (CAD) engineering, engineering design & manufacture, materials science, or maths and physics. You may improve your qualifications with a university degree to advance your career. Another option is to enrol in an engineering apprenticeship, which combines on-the-job training with academic study and allows you to earn while you learn.
Some credentials may stipulate a master’s degree in a branch of engineering or science with a specialisation, and some employers may allow employees to pursue part-time study to fulfil such requirements.
Aspiring Design Engineers would do well to take high school courses in design, mathematics, physics and chemistry. English and speech classes will help you develop your research, writing and oral communication skills.
Remember that completing a particular academic course does not guarantee entry into the profession. Be that as it may, professional qualifications and transferable skills may open up more than one door.
Do your homework and look into all available options for education and employment before enrolling in a specific programme. Reliable sources that help you make an educated decision include associations and employers in your field.
Certification demonstrates a Design Engineer’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.
The PMP (project management professional) designation is a globally recognised certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It assures employers that you have a solid knowledge base in project management and can effectively manage people, processes and business environments.
You may opt for one or more of Autodesk’s architecture, engineering and construction certifications that demonstrate your grasp of CAD (computer-aided design) and BIM (building information management) software.
If you possess five or more years of systems engineering work experience, you may pursue the Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP), an internationally renowned certification provided by the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE).
Design Engineers may also need to undergo an employment background check, including but not limited to a person’s work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, use of social media, and drug screening.
Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression. Design Engineers with consistently high levels of performance may be eligible for promotion every two to three years.
Design Engineers typically commence their professional journey as Junior Design Engineers, assisting senior engineers and learning design principles and techniques under their guidance. They may be assigned to work on specific design components of innovative engineering products and processes. Junior Design Engineers use CAD and other relevant software to create drawings and models.
Since you must work on diverse projects that seek to develop innovative solutions, your experience and successful completion of work will likely make you a Senior Design Engineer, bringing more complex projects under your supervision. You will lead design teams in researching and developing design concepts and specifications for new and improved products and processes and analysing prototype data.
Collaborating with multispecialty and cross-functional teams, upkeeping safety standards and mentoring junior Design Engineers will also be your responsibilities. CAD software and tools will continue to be critical to your work. You can opt to specialise in an area of interest, for instance, structural design, electronics design, user experience (UX) design, or sustainable design.
Your next steps are advancing to become Principal/Lead Design Engineer, leading major and multiple design projects, and then Design Manager/Engineering Manager, overseeing a team of Design Engineers.
If you rise higher to the role of Director of Design Engineering, you will spearhead building a comprehensive and innovative design strategy for your organisation while overseeing design projects and budgets and striving for continuous improvement. In this executive role, you will also interact with other members of the executive leadership team.
With extensive experience and a proven track record of successful innovation and leadership, you may become your company's Chief Design Officer (CDO)/Chief Technology Officer (CTO). In this executive role, you will help create the organisation’s overall design vision and strategy, oversee research & development and drive innovation at all levels, while keeping design excellence at the core.
The desire to accelerate career growth and personal development has an increasing number of millennials choosing to job hop and build a scattershot resume that showcases ambition, motivation, and the desire to learn a broad range of skills.
Studies prove that job hopping, earlier dismissed as “flaky” behaviour, can lead to greater job fulfilment. Employees searching for a positive culture and interesting work are willing to try out various roles and workplaces and learn valuable, transferable skills along the way.
Candidates with the necessary academic qualifications, creative, design and mathematical skills, expertise in CAD (computer-aided design) and other relevant software, experience, ability to work in multidisciplinary teams, and education have the best job prospects.
Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Design Engineer build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, professional activities,
formal education, business trends or self-directed learning.
Pursue higher academic qualifications and certifications to achieve career progression, build a deeper understanding of your subject and update your knowledge and skills. A doctoral degree can open up research and innovation opportunities.
Boost your technical knowledge and abilities continuously through self-study and reading technical journals, research papers and industry publications. Participating in specialist training workshops and seminars or webinars. You may learn about recent developments, network with industry experts, and receive insight into new trends and technologies by going to conferences and trade exhibits in your area of expertise.
The aerospace, automotive, electronics and some other industries require specialised skills and experience and may offer training programs tailored to their requirements.
Develop a multidisciplinary perspective on solving problems and your understanding of the entire product lifecycle by collaborating with your colleagues in manufacturing, production, quality assurance and other departments.
It helps to work on personal design projects to foster your creativity, experimentation with new tools and technologies and strengthen your portfolio. At the same time, seek opportunities to collaborate with colleagues on their projects to learn about different challenges and how to meet them using innovative design approaches.
Become a member of professional organisations for Design Engineers or of industry associations. Attend their forums, webinars, trade shows and other events to build your network, share knowledge and stay current with industry news and trends. Find a mentor who is an expert in the field and can help you chart your career path.
Use online or in-person courses to build your communication, leadership and teamwork skills since work projects are typically carried out in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. To that extent, foster your versatility by cross-training in related disciplines, such as manufacturing processes, materials science or project management.
In addition to offering the opportunity to continually upskill, regardless of one’s age, job, or level of knowledge, CPD also enables the periodic renewal of desirable certifications, which increases your chances of advancement and becoming an independent consultant.
Specialisations & Roles in Design Engineering
The field of design engineering is broad and diversified, covering numerous specialisations and occupations. It constantly evolves with advancing technology and creates opportunities for Design Engineers to pursue new specialisations and roles as part of interdisciplinary teams. An outline of a few roles is provided below.
Mechanical Design Engineers specialise in mechanical design, creating and developing machinery, equipment, mechanical devices, systems and products. They design components using cutting-edge CAD software and engineering concepts to guarantee optimal functionality, efficiency and safety.
Electrical Design Engineers specialise in creating electrical components and systems for diverse purposes, including power distribution, control systems, electronics, and communication equipment.
Civil/Structural Design Engineers specialise in designing infrastructure and buildings, ensuring that bridges, roads and other structures fulfil safety, stability and other industry and legislative standards.
Aerospace Design Engineers design aircraft and spacecraft and their parts, taking into account. Aerodynamics, materials and safety requirements are among the aspects they consider.
Industrial Design Engineers design the products and systems needed for manufacturing operations, factoring in various aspects, such as efficiency, ergonomics and cost-effectiveness.
Automotive Design Engineers develop and improve the performance, safety features, aesthetics, and other aspects of automobiles.
Software Design Engineers design the architecture and structure of software applications, ensuring scalability, robustness and the fulfilment of user needs.
User Experience (UX) Design Engineers aim to maximise user satisfaction by making products or software more usable and accessible and enhancing the overall user experience.
PCB (Printed Circuit Board) Design Engineers design and refine circuit layouts for various electronic devices, such as computers and mobile devices.
Sustainable Design Engineers develop eco-friendly and energy-efficient solutions for a range of products and systems to minimise adverse effects on the environment.
A Bit About the Design Engineering Process
The engineering design process comprises a sequence of steps that serve as guidelines for problem-solving by engineering teams. Iteration is critical to the success of the process as it enables the repetition of steps as needed to effect modifications and improvements, and enables teams to learn from mistakes and failures and discover or arrive at fresh and optimal solutions.
Design Engineers typically begin a project by asking questions such as what the problem to be solved is, who the stakeholders are and what the project objectives are, the answers to which go towards defining the product vision. In other words, they identify the need and the constraints in fulfilling the vision through an innovative or improved solution.
The process of identifying and developing a solution to a problem typically goes through the phases of empathising or researching, analysing and understanding the users’ needs, defining an approach based on this understanding, ideating, imagining or freely brainstorming possible solutions, selecting potentially suitable and feasible ones, designing the chosen solutions, prototyping them to test and validate hypotheses, conducting tests to receive users’ feedback, and undertaking post-launch activities.
Current Scenario
The employment outlook of a particular profession may be impacted by diverse factors, such as the time of year (for seasonal jobs), location, employment turnover (when people leave current jobs), occupational growth (when new roles are created), size of the occupation, and industry-specific trends and events that affect overall employment.
The projected growth rate in the employment of Design Engineers over the next few years is 4%. Several causes, including technology improvements, product innovation, urbanisation and the need for enhanced infrastructure and environmental sustainability, contribute to the predicted increase in design engineering employment.
On the other hand, potential reasons for a reduction in employment in the future could include variables such as automation taking over particular activities, the outsourcing of design work, and the impact of an economic crisis.
Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment
Freelancing Design Engineers have more flexible work schedules and locations. They fully own the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.
On the other hand, full-time Design Engineers have company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety.
When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.
Design Engineers apply their creativity and technical expertise to the ever-evolving technological landscape of various industries and changing user requirements. Their knowledge, skills and work propel the development of cutting-edge systems, structures and products that facilitate modern life.
Collaboration is critical to the success of design engineering projects since multidisciplinary teams typically carry them out, and synergy among team members generates innovative solutions. Develop your communication skills and be willing to work with subject matter experts from diverse fields.
Design Engineers have played a crucial role in realising trailblazing concepts, from iconic structures, such as the Eiffel Tower, to innovative technologies, such as cell phones.
What do Design Engineers do?
A Design Engineer would typically need to:
Accredited
$72,100
