Engineering

ENGINEERING Jobs

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Aerospace Engineer • Agricultural Engineer • Automotive Engineer • Biomedical Engineer • Business Development Manager • Chemical Engineer • Civil Engineer • Design Engineer • Electrical Engineer • Energy Engineer • Lecturer • Maintenance Technician • Manufacturing Engineer • Marketing Executive • Mechanical Engineer • Naval Architect • Production Manager • Quality Manager • Researcher • Sales Representative • Turbine Engineer

researcher

You would find better ways for businesses and organisations to work and achieve their goals.

You would analyse systems and processes and work out how they can be improved using advanced mathematical, statistical and business theories.

You would test your solutions to problems using statistical and computer forecasts and ‘models’.

Your research and advice would help senior managers in companies and government departments solve business problems and make better decisions.

You would:

Analyse complex information and add insight
Apply business and other theories to the organisation and its work
Come up with the solution to problems
Observe and interview staff
Examine a company's current procedures
Report your findings to the client
Make recommendations about where to make changes
Advise managers on putting the changes into practice

You might work alone or in a small team. Good knowledge of business would be useful. You would also need to be able to explain complex ideas to people who are not experts.

quality manager

You would check that products meet quality standards and are safe for customers to buy.

You would also help to set up and manage quality control systems.

You would:

Deal with feedback and complaints from customers
Refer issues to managers when needed
Assess suppliers
Check and update quality control policies
Train new staff
Write reports for quality managers.
Work in a team under the supervision of a quality manager

You would also have specialised tasks depending on where you work.

For example, if you worked in food and drink production, you would:

Find and remove faults in the production process
Test microbiological, chemical and physical samples
Check labels
Check that methods are in line with legislation

If you work in manufacturing engineering, you would:

Monitor each stage of production
Use statistical analysis to make sure that machined parts are within tolerance limits
Run tests to check for defects

You would need technical knowledge of your industry. You would also need good knowledge of quality control standards and legislation.

business development manager

Business development managers find new customers, and persuade existing ones to buy extra services.

You will work in a variety of businesses across the public and private sectors, or for charities.

Your day-to-day duties could include:

Researching organisations to find new customers and identify who makes the decisions
‘Cold calling’ to arrange meetings at customers’ premises
Finding out what an organisation needs and working with a team to plan proposals and pricing
Selling products and services to new and existing customers
Negotiating with customers and building positive relationships
Attending events and conferences
Writing reports and making presentations to customers and senior management
Identifying new methods and opportunities for sales campaigns
Forecasting sales targets and making sure they’re met
Delivering training to business developers and junior sales teams

agricultural engineer

You would assess the techniques used by farmers and landowners and explain how they can improve their land.

You would plan and supervise construction projects to tackle environmental problems.

You would work with specialist machinery used in farming, forestry and horticulture. For example, you might design the all-terrain vehicles which can move over uneven ground in different weather conditions.

You would also help farmers, landowners and government departments understand issues such as crop diversity, sustainable land use and adapting to climate change.

You would:

Assess the environmental impact of intensive agricultural production methods
Supervise land drainage, reclamation and irrigation construction projects
Solve agricultural engineering problems
Test and install new equipment, such as harvesters, crop sprayers, storage facilities and logging machinery
Analyse weather and GPS data, then use computer modelling to advise farmers and businesses how to improve their land use

Depending on the size of the company you work for, you might also manage and coordinate sales, or do marketing and technical support. It would be important to be willing to work flexibly.

You would need to keep up to date with new developments in technology and production methods.

lecturer

You would help teenagers and adults learn new skills and get qualifications to improve their job prospects.

You could work in colleges, community centres, prisons and the armed forces.

You would teach students over the age of 16. You might also work with some 14 to 16 year-olds studying work-related subjects.

There are different types of courses taught by further education lecturers, for example:

Academic subjects, like maths and English - often leading to qualifications such as standard grades or Highers
Vocational courses that train students for careers such as catering, construction or childcare - often leading to qualifications
Diplomas offered in colleges or partner schools
Leisure and hobby courses, such as photography

Depending on the subject you teach, you would use a variety of teaching methods, such as seminars, tutorials and demonstrations.

You would:

Plan and prepare lessons or seminars
Set and mark assignments, tests and exams
Monitor and assess students’ progress
Develop new courses and teaching materials
Keep records and carry out other administrative tasks
Go to meetings, professional development courses and workshops
Interview prospective students
Act as personal tutor - supporting students and helping with problems
Supervise practical work, work placements or field trips

You could teach full-time, part-time (day or evening) or day release courses.

You would need to have patience and a sense of humour and be able to relate well to students of all ages and abilities.

aerospace engineer

You would design and build aeroplanes, helicopters, spacecraft, satellites, missiles and rockets.

You would design, build and maintain the aircraft and the parts and instruments that go inside them. You would make them safe and efficient for people to use.

You would plan and organise projects to improve:

Fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters
Space vehicles and satellites
Missiles and weapons
Flight simulators
Flight components and instruments

You could focus on research and development, testing, or production and maintenance.

You would:

Develop avionic systems like navigation instruments and communications
Research ways to make fuel-efficient parts, such as wings, fuselage and engines
Use computer-aided design (CAD) software to draw up project designs
Carry out ground- and flight-testing programmes on prototypes
Collect and analyse test data
Plan and supervise the assembly and fitting of aircraft and components
Sign off projects under strict licensing regulations
Schedule and supervise line (airport) and base (hangar) maintenance of aircraft

You would also be involved with estimating project costs and timescales, attending meetings, writing technical reports and manuals, and giving presentations to managers and clients.

With several years' experience as an engineer, you could work on the investigation of air accidents.

You need a comprehensive understanding of engineering licence regulations and a commitment to keeping up to date. Having European language skills might be helpful, particularly if you are working on a joint international project.

automotive engineer

You would design, test and build the cars of the future to make them more reliable, fuel-efficient and stylish.

You could work on a variety of vehicles including domestic cars, racing cars, motorbikes and coaches, buses, trucks and tractors.

You would make the vehicle more cost-effective and reduce its impact on the environment. You would make it safer for drivers and passengers and come up with exciting new designs for the way it looks.

You might work on:

Body, chassis and engine systems
Electrical and electronic instruments and control systems
Thermodynamics, aerodynamics and fluid mechanics
Fuel technology and emissions

There are several stages to the motor manufacturing process.

If you focused on design you would do research and use computer-aided design (CAD) software to produce detailed plans for vehicles.

In the development stage you would:

Build prototypes
Test prototypes and models
Use computer simulations and physical models to assess the components' performance and safety

If you worked in production you would

Redesign machine tools, equipment and processes to make new parts
Check the costs
Keep track of the production schedules
Control the quality of the products

As a senior engineer, you would manage projects, supervise technical teams, write reports and negotiate with clients.

biomedical engineer

You would research, design and develop medical products, such as joint replacements or robotic surgical instruments, design or modify equipment for clients with special needs in a rehabilitation setting, or manage the use of clinical equipment in hospitals and the community.

You will be employed by health services, medical equipment manufacturers and research departments or institutes.

Your tasks may include:

Using computer software and mathematical models to design, develop and test new materials, devices and equipment.
Liaising with technicians and manufacturers to ensure the feasibility of a product in terms of design and economic viability.
Conducting research to solve clinical problems using a variety of means to collate the necessary information, including questionnaires, interviews and group conferences;
Working closely with other medical professionals, such as doctors and therapists as well as with end-users (patients and their carers)
Discussing and solving problems with manufacturing, quality, purchasing and marketing departments
Arranging clinical trials of medical products
Writing reports and attending conferences and exhibitions to present your work and latest designs to a range of technical and non-technical audiences
Testing and maintaining clinical equipment
Training technical or clinical staff;

You may also be involved in investigating safety-related incidents and keeping up to date with new developments in the field, nationally and internationally.

chemical engineer

You would do research to improve the methods used to turn raw materials into fuel, plastics, food, medicine and more.

You may also work on developing the machines used in the production process.

You could work in a field such as food, gas or minerals.

You could also work as a biochemical engineer. You might work on projects such as new medical treatments or sustainable energy sources.

It is likely you would specialise in working in manufacturing or in research and development. However, some employers would give you the chance to work in both.

If you worked in research and development, you would:

Test new ways to develop products in the lab
Use computer models to work out the safest and most cost-effective production methods
Use lab tests to try out a pilot phase of production
Plan how to take pilot projects to large-scale industrial processing
Develop methods to deal with by-products and waste materials in a safe way

In manufacturing, you would:

Work with plant designers to create equipment for the production process
Help to oversee the day-to-day operation of the processing plant
Check production and deal with problems
Work closely with quality control managers
Work closely with health and safety managers

You might also manage a team of chemical engineering technicians.

civil engineer

You would plan, design and manage construction projects for large buildings, transport links and major structures.

You would explain your ideas to the client and make sure that the project is finished on time and to budget.

The projects you would work on could be anything from bridges and tall buildings to transport links and sports arenas.

You could work in one of these specialist areas:

Structural - dams, buildings, offshore platforms and pipelines
Transportation – roads, railways, canals and airports
Environmental – water supply networks, drainage and flood barriers
Maritime – ports, harbours and sea defences
Geotechnical – mining, earthworks and construction foundations.

You would prepare the documents to try and win projects for your company. You would estimate how much it would cost, how long it would take and how many people would be needed to work on it.

At the start of the project you would:

Plan the project requirements with your client and colleagues
Use computer modelling software to analyse data from surveys, tests and maps
Create computer aided design (CAD) blueprints
Assess the environmental impact and the risks of a project

Once a project is underway you would:

Direct and check the progress during each stage of a project
Make sure the construction site meets the legal, and health and safety, requirements.
Report to your clients, public agencies and planning organisations

You would work closely with other professionals such as architects, surveyors and building contractors.

Design Engineer

You would research and develop ideas for new products and the systems used to make them. You would improve the performance and efficiency of existing products.

You will need to understand engineering and design principles. You would use your knowledge of the qualities of materials and of methods of construction and manufacturing to create products that a company can sell and make a profit.

You could work in a wide range of industries, from electronics to synthetic textiles. For example, you might work on the redesign of a mobile phone or work out how to construct motorbike parts from carbon fibre materials. Your role could vary depending on the project.

You would research the product or process. You would use mathematical modelling to work out whether new ideas and innovations would work and are affordable.

Then you would turn the research ideas into technical plans for prototypes. You would use computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-assisted engineering (CAE) software to create the design.

Next you would use prototypes to test the design. You would collect and analyse data from the tests and use the findings to make the design better. Then you would re-test. You might go though this process several times before a product is ready for manufacture or installation.

Throughout the development process you would write progress reports or do presentations for the project managers and clients.

You would look at a range of features when developing ideas for a new product, such as:

Usability and safety
Strength and reliability
Its 'look and feel’
Efficiency and cost
Maintenance and life span

You would also have to take into account the environmental impact of the product, how it would be manufactured and how to dispose of it safely when it’s no longer usable.

electrical engineer

You would design, build and maintain the electrical systems and equipment that are vital to industry, the railways and manufacturing.

There are many industries you could work in, such as:

Transport – including rail electrification and signalling
Energy – generating, transmitting and distributing power
Renewable energy – solar panelling, hydroelectric power and wind turbines
Manufacturing and construction
Building services – dealing with lighting, heating, ventilation and lift systems

You would use computer-assisted engineering and design software to draw up new project plans and circuit diagrams for high and low voltage electrical equipment.

You would lead the installation of a system and make sure it meets the safety regulations.

Depending on the industry, you would:

Assess whether new technical developments are feasible
Create project plans
Draw and interpret technical diagrams
Estimate costs and timescales for projects
Coordinate the work of technicians and craftspeople
Test electrical installations and systems
Analyse the data from tests
Oversee inspection and maintenance programmes

You would also have to write reports, attend meetings and give presentations about projects. You would need a good understanding of electrical health and safety regulations.

You would work on projects with other professionals, such as civil engineers, architects, engineering technicians and IT staff.

turbine engineer

You would design and construct sites to generate energy from the wind, sun and water. You could also drill for and extract gas and oil.

You would research, design and oversee construction of power generation plants that use renewable and sustainable natural resources, such as:

Water to generate hydro power
Sunlight to produce solar power
Plants or plant materials to generate biomass power
Wind power

You could also be involved in drilling for gas and oil.

You would use mathematical and computer models to research and design new generating sites.

Depending on the type of project you work on, you could decide on the best locations for installations like wind farms, solar panels or hydropower plants or you might plan and oversee a production programme for sites like drilling platforms or hydroelectric plants.

You would:

Manage and coordinate teams of technicians or site workers
Design and select the equipment needed at the site
Make sure the site meets environmental standards such as carbon reduction targets
Analyse the costs of running the site and improve its efficiency
Assess new and current processes to make the site as productive as possible
Do laboratory experiments to develop large-scale industrial processes

You would work with other professionals such as geologists, geophysicists and specialist contractors.

manufacturing engineer

You would design and install new equipment and assembly lines in factories and manufacturing plants.

You would try to make the production process as efficient as possible so the factory can make goods on time and at the right cost and quality.

You would work with production managers to get the most out of existing systems and to develop new systems. You might also be involved in the building of new manufacturing plants.

You would help to manage each phase of a project, overseeing the work of technicians and other professionals.

You would:

Work out the costs for equipment, time and labour
Build 3D models with computer aided design/manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software
Test systems and analyse data to find the most cost-effective production methods
Present plans to managers and clients for their approval
Install new equipment and machinery
Investigate and fix production problems
Write operation and training guidelines

You would need to understand manufacturing processes and follow health and safety regulations.

marketing EXECUTIVE

You would use your creativity to promote the goods and services offered by your business or organisation to potential customers.

You would plan the best ways to connect with people so they have a positive impression of the products, services or brand.

Your job would vary depending on the organisation you work for and the sector you work in. You could specialise in certain types of product or market, such as fashion, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) or financial services.

You would:

Research and analyse market trends
Identify target markets and how best to reach them
Work out marketing strategies
Plan campaigns and manage budgets
Organise the production of posters and brochures
Come up with social media strategies
Attend trade shows, conferences and sales meetings
Make sure that campaigns meet deadlines and budgets
Check and report on the effectiveness of strategies and campaigns

You would plan the marketing activity for a campaign. You would think of new ways to get your message to the customers.

You might work with other organisations to find out more about customer satisfaction and expectations. Data from market research will be useful to help you find ways to make your campaign more effective.
At the end of each campaign you would assess its success and report to marketing directors.

You could lead a team of marketing executives and assistants who you’d motivate to make each marketing campaign a success.

mechanical engineer

You would design and test components and machines like wind turbines, pumps for clean water and medical prosthetics to help people who have mobility difficulties.

You would oversee the set-up of the machines and check that they work properly.

You could work on different projects in many industries including:

Manufacturing
Construction
Water
Power
Health
Transport

For example, you could work in renewable energy to install off-shore wind turbines. You could design the pumps and valves that deliver clean water to homes and businesses or you could design and test improvements to prosthetic implants to help people with limited mobility.

Depending on the job you would:

Turn research ideas into technical plans, using computer aided design/modelling (CAD/CAM) programs
Survey mechanical systems and equipment to check they're working properly
Research and assess new products and innovations
Present design plans and data to managers and clients
Produce technical documents for projects
Oversee maintenance programmes and quality control

You would support the contract team in your company when they bid for new projects.

You would manage and lead a project team of technicians, designers and craftspeople who carry out installation and maintenance work.

naval architect

You would design, build and repair vessels such as ships and boats, and offshore structures such as drilling platforms.

You would:

Manage the work of engineering design teams
Make sure that designs are safe, functional and good value for money
Prepare design plans using computer software
Check and test plans using computers and 3D models
Organise production and repairs

You could specialise in a particular area, such as design, building and repair work, research and development, or consultancy.

You could also work for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency as a ship surveyor. You would then check the safety of ships and marine structures.

sales representative

You would use your people skills to sell your company’s products or services to businesses, shops or individuals.

Products you could sell include medicines, consumer goods or engineering parts.

You would:

Make appointments with new and current customers
Assess your customers’ needs
Make presentations on new products and special deals
Look after sales, prices, contracts and payments
Advise customers about delivery times and after-sales service
Keep in contact with customers in person and by telephone
Report your orders to the sales office
Keep up to date with what your competitors are doing
Go to conferences and seminars and follow industry trends
Meet sales targets
Write reports on sales trends

This job can come with a lot of pressure, as you may have to meet difficult targets. In some jobs you will be paid on commission, which means that for every item you sell you will make more money.

maintenance technician

You would look after and fix electrical and mechanical equipment used in industry, from factories and power stations to aircraft and escalators.

You would follow manufacturer's technical manuals and use testing instruments and tools to help locate faults.

You would need to understand engineering drawings and be aware of health and safety legislation.

You could work on:

Machinery used on production lines in factories
Laboratory equipment in hospitals or used to manufacture drugs and medicines
Machines and equipment used on railways and roads
Civil or military aircraft
Equipment and facilities for generating power including hydro-electric, wind turbines, solar and marine energy technology, fossil fuel and nuclear power stations
Lifts, escalators, walkways and airport skytrains

If you work in preventative (planned) maintenance you would:

Organise schedules for routine servicing
Allocate work to a team of fitters
Check and calibrate instruments to make sure they are accurate
Fit new parts as required or as part of a regular replacement rota
Inspect the quality of maintenance work

In emergency maintenance you would respond immediately when equipment breaks down.

You would fix the problem there and then or, if necessary, arrange for the equipment to be replaced. You would also explain the problem to production managers and tell them how the repairs are progressing.

You would organise your team to make sure that they can respond to breakdowns at any time of day or night.

production manager

You would be involved with the planning, coordination and control of processes. You will make sure goods and services are produced efficiently and that the correct amount is produced at the right cost and level of quality.

The job is also referred to as operations manager.

As a production manager, you will need to:

Oversee the processes, drawing up a schedule
Ensure that the production is cost effective
Decide what resources are required
Draft a timescale for the job
Estimate costs and set the quality standards
Monitor the production processes and adjust schedules as needed
Be responsible for the selection and maintenance of equipment
Monitor product standards and implement quality-control programmes
Liaise among different departments, e.g. suppliers, managers
Work with managers to implement the company's policies and goals
Ensure that health and safety guidelines are followed
Supervise and motivate a team of workers
Review worker performance
Identify training needs

You will be involved in the pre-production (planning) stage as well as the production (control and supervision) stage. A large part of the job is dealing with people management.

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