If you have an inquisitive nature, a creative side and a technical aptitude, then you might enjoy a career in design engineering. Some possible jobs include mechanical design engineer, electrical design engineer and civil design engineer. Read on to learn about these fields and salary expectations for entry-level positions. Schools offering .
Job Description
Design engineers are responsible for creating technical plans and drawings, which are used to build a variety of products and structures. Depending on what area of engineering you specialize, you may also be responsible for researching projects, designing and developing electrical or mechanical structures, or estimating materials costs to construct city roads and power supplies.
Your salary as an entry-level design engineer will depend on several things, including experience, certification, area of industry and location. According to PayScale.com, entry-level engineers who specialized in design earned a median salary of $60, 292 in September 2015. Some popular areas of engineering design in which you could concentrate include mechanics, electronics and civil engineering.
Important Facts About These Occupations
| Mechanical Engineer | Electrical Engineer | Civil Engineer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Job Outlook (2012-2022) | 5% | 20% | |
| Required Education | Bachelor's degree; graduate degree required for those interested in research | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree; graduate degree required to advance to a higher position |
| Licensure | Professional Engineer (PE) license is required when working for the public | PE license is voluntary | PE license is required when serving publicly |
| Work Environment | Offices or laboratories; some onsite work | Offices; some onsite work | Offices and construction sites |
| Similar Occupations | Drafter, materials engineer, mathematician | Biomedical engineer, electrical engineering technician, electrician | Architect, civil engineering technician, surveyor |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Mechanical Design Engineers
If you enjoy developing large powerful machinery or robotics for power generating or manufacturing, you may like to work as a mechanical design engineer. You may design prototypes, mechanical tools or materials using computer-aided design (CAD) software. You'll use CAD software to test the dimensions and weight estimates of your ideas.
PayScale.com reported in September 2015 that most entry-level mechanical design engineers earned a median of $60, 773 per year. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in May 2014 that the architectural, engineering and related services industry offered mechanical engineers an average salary of $92, 030 (www.bls.gov). On the other hand, those working for scientific research and development services averaged $97, 430.
