ADD ADVICE TO FAVDesign engineer
Design engineers liaise with research and development, production and marketing about the design of products.
What design engineers do
- consider various factors, including use of the product, its environment, materials, the economics of production, safety, legal requirements, quality, production requirements, cost and ease of maintenance
- sketch outline designs
- use computer-aided design for detailed design, generating parts lists and specifications
- liaise with the marketing department about upgrading the product, failures in service and reducing the cost
- liaise with development engineers about new products and the application of novel technology.
Key skills
- creativity and innovation
- attention to detail
- ability to select functional and economic materials
- understanding of a range of technologies and engineering drawings
- knowledge of computer-aided design and rapid prototyping
- knowledge of computer-assisted design software
- ability to liaise effectively with colleagues in many other departments
- communicate well verbally, diagrammatically and in writing.
Training to be a design engineer
Some engineers, especially civil engineering consultants, start their careers in design and progress from there. Others spend part of their professional training period in design, and may opt to continue their careers in that area afterwards.
Salaries
Salaries are typically in the range of £20,000 to £24,000 depending on the industry.
