11 answers
Sio
Student
Edinburg, Texas
3
Questions
Asked
1085 views
What is and how do you become a design engineer?
I want to do all kinds of stuff in engineering and I've figured so far that design, technical drawings, anything related to Solidworks, 3D printing, and hands-on work always grabs my attention. Because of this, I want to narrow down my path (not necessarily too specific, but also not too vague) to be able to have an end goal in mind. At this point, I'm really just completing the degree and getting stuff done, but I don't know my end goal other than "mechanical engineering" which is my major's name. I don't even know if the skills mentioned before will be good for a firm or decent company. If someone could tell me what type of companies to look for based on my interests/skills, that would help A TON, because that is also another problem due to my vaguely uncertain career path; I don't know what job positions/companies to look for. Thank you in advance:)
Login to comment
11 answers
Brian Swain
Mechanical Engineer
23
Answers
Modesto, California
Updated
Brian’s Answer
Hello Siomara,
I currently work as a Mechanical Engineer for a company making industrial labeling machines.
When it comes to design work, there are many different avenues you can go down. However it may take some time to get there. If you can’t find anything, I strongly recommend finding entry level positions that are involved in manufacturing.
Company wise, you can learn a lot by working for small or big businesses. Smaller businesses may require you to “Wear many hats” and while they won't be able to pay as much as larger businesses, you'll be exposed to a lot of different things that can help you father down the line. Big companies can have more people that you can learn from, there may be official programs that they put you through.
For Design related positions, look on jobsites (Linkedin, Indeed, Monster, etc). You can search for specific positions or for specific skill sets ( ie you can search for “Solidworks” or “Mechanical Engineer” or “Drafter”), you can also search around a specific area or zip code.
Find out if the college you're attending has a career center, sometimes companies will work with universities to find talent.
For logistical purposes, I strongly recommend first trying to find positions that you can easily commute to. Or look for positions in areas where you have a place to stay ( friends or family). Finding a place to live is hard enough on its own.
Take the FE exam either while you are still in college, or soon after you graduate. It's not a requirement for Mechanical Engineers, but it can help you stand out among candidates.
Get a copy of Machinery's Handbook, you don't need the newest version, but it's essentially the bible or holy text for all Mechanical Engineers/Designers/Machinists/Fabricators.
If your technical skillsets are limited, community colleges can be a great way to trade related skillsets.
I currently work as a Mechanical Engineer for a company making industrial labeling machines.
When it comes to design work, there are many different avenues you can go down. However it may take some time to get there. If you can’t find anything, I strongly recommend finding entry level positions that are involved in manufacturing.
Company wise, you can learn a lot by working for small or big businesses. Smaller businesses may require you to “Wear many hats” and while they won't be able to pay as much as larger businesses, you'll be exposed to a lot of different things that can help you father down the line. Big companies can have more people that you can learn from, there may be official programs that they put you through.
For Design related positions, look on jobsites (Linkedin, Indeed, Monster, etc). You can search for specific positions or for specific skill sets ( ie you can search for “Solidworks” or “Mechanical Engineer” or “Drafter”), you can also search around a specific area or zip code.
Find out if the college you're attending has a career center, sometimes companies will work with universities to find talent.
For logistical purposes, I strongly recommend first trying to find positions that you can easily commute to. Or look for positions in areas where you have a place to stay ( friends or family). Finding a place to live is hard enough on its own.
Brian recommends the following next steps:
Annelise Ingram
Color, Materials, and Finishes Designer
6
Answers
Fort Collins, Colorado
Updated
Annelise’s Answer
Hi Siomara,
While I am not an engineer, I work extremely closely with many mechanical engineers at Otter Products (OtterBox phone cases.) Mechanical Engineering is a great degree and has lots of flexibility to it. Companies like Apple have to have mechanical engineers, too. So I'd say stick with it and see if you can't reach out to someone with a ME degree in the workforce.
While I am not an engineer, I work extremely closely with many mechanical engineers at Otter Products (OtterBox phone cases.) Mechanical Engineering is a great degree and has lots of flexibility to it. Companies like Apple have to have mechanical engineers, too. So I'd say stick with it and see if you can't reach out to someone with a ME degree in the workforce.
Thank you for taking the time to answer:) I never really thought of engineers working at companies like OtterBox but as I've researched in the past few days, after reading your answer, it seems like engineers are everywhere, so thank you for opening that train of thought for me; I greatly appreciate it:)
Sio
Annelise Ingram! A perfect answer. Mechanical Engineering is indeed a vast field and you will get a lot of liberty to move forward wherever your inclination will be, you can move on to the energy/fluid interaction field becoming a Simulation engineer, or you can be a design engineer, etc. Hence, you must pursue this field.
Shabahat Hasnain
Jorge A. Bonilla Cedeño
Manufacturing Project Manager
1
Answer
San José, Costa Rica
Updated
Jorge A.’s Answer
Hi! Definetly Mechanical or Electromechanical Engineer should be your choice. We worked designing a lot a different things, from pipes, machines, water systems to medical devices, and some related to aircrafts.
Not only SolidWorks is used, also Inventor and other design softwares, but you may also need to know about programming and basic mechanics.
Not only SolidWorks is used, also Inventor and other design softwares, but you may also need to know about programming and basic mechanics.
Jennifer Gorman
Attorney
6
Answers
Great Falls, Virginia
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
Since you will likely first have to pass the exams to obtain your engineering license (make certain you are aware of the licensing requirements in the State in which you want to be licensed - presumably Texas at the outset), you will be looking for "engineer in training" positions. You will not be able to stamp/seal any mechanical drawings until you have your license. Texas is a huge market for all types of engineering services including mechanical, which is often looped-in with electrical and plumbing (i.e., MEP). Much of MEP services are for vertical construction projects (e.g., buildings as opposed to horizontal, which are roads and bridges) and work closely with architects and general contractors.
Consider looking for "engineer in training" postings with engineering consulting companies (e.g., KCI Technologies, JMT, RKK, HDR, Jacobs Engineering, WSP, Terracon, AECOM, and so many hundreds more).
If possible to have an internship while you are still in school, that will be a tremendous help to you and sometimes leads to an offer after graduation.
Best of luck!
Consider looking for "engineer in training" postings with engineering consulting companies (e.g., KCI Technologies, JMT, RKK, HDR, Jacobs Engineering, WSP, Terracon, AECOM, and so many hundreds more).
If possible to have an internship while you are still in school, that will be a tremendous help to you and sometimes leads to an offer after graduation.
Best of luck!
The only thing I would disagree with is the necessity of obtaining a PE license, while it is required to have a PE stamp for stuff like structural or safety related designs, it's not a requirement in many industries. Granted that's only based on my experience in California so it may be different in Texas.
Brian Swain
Jim Jordan
Mechanical R&D, prototype and production design.
1
Answer
Eugene, Oregon
Updated
Jim’s Answer
Siomara, my suggestion would be to start out trying different areas of interest on the side. If you have a makerspace nearby, go there and make things.
Repair bicycles, take broken appliances apart and fix them. Or just take them apart and see how they are made.
Look closely at the plastic parts, try to figure out how they were made. Where the parting lines are for molded parts, how the parts was injected by the gate marks.
Get in the habit of looking closely at everything around you and try to deduce the process used to make it.
Do some woodworking, learn how cutting tools work and why.
If you can, get a summer job working in a production machine shop. The goal of Engineering is to design a quality, easily manufactured product with clear parameters on how it's made and the quality needed to do the job its needed for.
Learn to cast and finish jewelry, it the same lost wax process they use for casting jet engine parts.
Join The Society of Manufacturing Engineers, tour shops with them. They are a great networking resource. Meet other engineers and shop owners and see how parts are produced.
Talk to the people out on the floor and take feedback both positive and negative to heart. Take your mistakes and own them as a learning experience.
If you do these things, I promise you will be a better engineer and have a good relationship with the people making your parts. Be it artificial heart valves, or refrigerator magnets.
Repair bicycles, take broken appliances apart and fix them. Or just take them apart and see how they are made.
Look closely at the plastic parts, try to figure out how they were made. Where the parting lines are for molded parts, how the parts was injected by the gate marks.
Get in the habit of looking closely at everything around you and try to deduce the process used to make it.
Do some woodworking, learn how cutting tools work and why.
If you can, get a summer job working in a production machine shop. The goal of Engineering is to design a quality, easily manufactured product with clear parameters on how it's made and the quality needed to do the job its needed for.
Learn to cast and finish jewelry, it the same lost wax process they use for casting jet engine parts.
Join The Society of Manufacturing Engineers, tour shops with them. They are a great networking resource. Meet other engineers and shop owners and see how parts are produced.
Talk to the people out on the floor and take feedback both positive and negative to heart. Take your mistakes and own them as a learning experience.
If you do these things, I promise you will be a better engineer and have a good relationship with the people making your parts. Be it artificial heart valves, or refrigerator magnets.
I agree 100% agree with Jim's answer
Brian Swain
William Nwaogu
Construction, CAD and BIM
155
Answers
Lagos, Nigeria
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi Siomara,
As an upcoming design engineer, you have different options in mechanical engineering design career.
Preliminary Design Engineering (Front End Engineering)
Detailed Design Engineering
Engineering Specification
Computer-Aided Drawing
Computer-Aided Engineering
Computer-Aided Manufacturing
3D Printing / Prototyping
Engineering Design Software Development
Engineering Design Standards Committee
Engineering Design Research and Development
You become a Design in a specific area as in above by developing engineering capacity through education, professional training and carrier programs. Also, by seeking job opportunities in the area of your design engineering interest.
Built years of experience in your engineering design area.
Get professional practice certification, and or license of practice with relevant experience and competencies.
As an upcoming design engineer, you have different options in mechanical engineering design career.
Preliminary Design Engineering (Front End Engineering)
Detailed Design Engineering
Engineering Specification
Computer-Aided Drawing
Computer-Aided Engineering
Computer-Aided Manufacturing
3D Printing / Prototyping
Engineering Design Software Development
Engineering Design Standards Committee
Engineering Design Research and Development
You become a Design in a specific area as in above by developing engineering capacity through education, professional training and carrier programs. Also, by seeking job opportunities in the area of your design engineering interest.
Built years of experience in your engineering design area.
Get professional practice certification, and or license of practice with relevant experience and competencies.
Kris Cousino
Construction management
40
Answers
Toledo, Ohio
Updated
Kris’s Answer
Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Industrical Engineering would all be good choices. Dont be afraid once you get in to your engineering college to ask for a hybrid degree which crosses over between two or more engineering disciplines. Once you get in to your third and fourth years of school you should find classes that specifically interest you. Your first two years of engineering school will be packed with all the engineering basics you need for any engineering degree. Don't be afraid to attend an extra semester. Don't be afraid to branch out and try things you may never had the chance to again. Is there a sport you enjoy? There are classes to learn certain sports better as well as intramural sports. Do you enjoy music? Join the orchestra, or a small quartet. Take that chance to study abroad. Take advantage of all opportunities.
David Sulli
Manufacturing Engineer and business owner
22
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
David’s Answer
3D model design and 2D drawings are certainly a large part of mechanical engineering. How components are made and how they and assemblies are tested really come in handy when designing. Some mechanical engineers become manufacturing engineers who specialize in how components are assembled. Since both professions are useful within many types of industries, having college courses in materials (strength, corrosion resistance, and other properties), fluid mechanics, statics/dynamics, thermodynamics, quality control, and presentation skills are just some of the class-content you will have before graduating. It really is a rewarding profession, whether you choose to work as a mechanical engineer or as a manufacturing engineer. I went with a career in manufacturing engineering and really enjoyed it.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3470
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hi Siomara,
Embarking on the journey to become a design engineer is a thrilling one! Design engineers are the creative minds behind the development of products, systems, and solutions, using their engineering know-how and technical skills. They're like artists, but their canvas is often CAD software, technical drawings, and 3D printing. Let's dive into the steps to become a design engineer:
Education: The starting point is to earn a bachelor's degree in engineering. Mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or industrial design are great choices. These programs will teach you the basics of engineering, math, physics, and design.
Technical Skills: You've mentioned your interest in Solidworks, technical drawings, and 3D printing. That's great! Solidworks is a popular CAD software in the industry, and understanding technical drawings and 3D printing principles is key. So, make sure to get comfortable with these.
Practical Experience: Look for internships, co-op programs, or projects where you can get your hands dirty. These experiences will help you apply your knowledge, solve real problems, and face real-world engineering challenges.
Specialized Training: Think about getting additional training or certifications in areas related to design engineering. This could include advanced CAD modeling, finite element analysis (FEA), or product development processes.
Networking: Join professional organizations like the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) or the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Networking in these circles can give you a glimpse into the industry and open doors to career opportunities.
Job Hunting: When you're ready to look for jobs, think about companies that focus on product design, manufacturing, or engineering consulting. Industries like automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, and medical devices are always on the lookout for design engineers skilled in CAD software and 3D modeling.
Given your interests and skills in design, technical drawings, Solidworks, and 3D printing, you might want to check out companies in product development, manufacturing, or engineering consultancy. This could mean firms specializing in industrial design, consumer products, automotive manufacturing, aerospace technology, or medical device development.
Here are some top references that might help you:
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) - www.asme.org
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) - www.ieee.org
Solidworks - www.solidworks.com
Take care and best of luck on your journey,
James.
Embarking on the journey to become a design engineer is a thrilling one! Design engineers are the creative minds behind the development of products, systems, and solutions, using their engineering know-how and technical skills. They're like artists, but their canvas is often CAD software, technical drawings, and 3D printing. Let's dive into the steps to become a design engineer:
Education: The starting point is to earn a bachelor's degree in engineering. Mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or industrial design are great choices. These programs will teach you the basics of engineering, math, physics, and design.
Technical Skills: You've mentioned your interest in Solidworks, technical drawings, and 3D printing. That's great! Solidworks is a popular CAD software in the industry, and understanding technical drawings and 3D printing principles is key. So, make sure to get comfortable with these.
Practical Experience: Look for internships, co-op programs, or projects where you can get your hands dirty. These experiences will help you apply your knowledge, solve real problems, and face real-world engineering challenges.
Specialized Training: Think about getting additional training or certifications in areas related to design engineering. This could include advanced CAD modeling, finite element analysis (FEA), or product development processes.
Networking: Join professional organizations like the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) or the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Networking in these circles can give you a glimpse into the industry and open doors to career opportunities.
Job Hunting: When you're ready to look for jobs, think about companies that focus on product design, manufacturing, or engineering consulting. Industries like automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, and medical devices are always on the lookout for design engineers skilled in CAD software and 3D modeling.
Given your interests and skills in design, technical drawings, Solidworks, and 3D printing, you might want to check out companies in product development, manufacturing, or engineering consultancy. This could mean firms specializing in industrial design, consumer products, automotive manufacturing, aerospace technology, or medical device development.
Here are some top references that might help you:
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) - www.asme.org
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) - www.ieee.org
Solidworks - www.solidworks.com
Take care and best of luck on your journey,
James.
Nidhi Rajput
Designing and Technical Marketing
3
Answers
Vadodara, Gujarat, India
Updated
Nidhi’s Answer
Hey there,
First of all, if you want to be a designer then find which specific industries you want to go in.
For example, If you are interested in process equipment manufacturing than solidworks and autocad 2d would be enough i guess but you need to know about ASME standards, API standards etc.
Similarly for every field there are different standards. Start working on those standards so you will get a quick start with your career.
First of all, if you want to be a designer then find which specific industries you want to go in.
For example, If you are interested in process equipment manufacturing than solidworks and autocad 2d would be enough i guess but you need to know about ASME standards, API standards etc.
Similarly for every field there are different standards. Start working on those standards so you will get a quick start with your career.
Jimil Burkhart
Software Engineer
97
Answers
Gilbert, Arizona
Updated
Jimil’s Answer
A design engineer is a type of engineer who is responsible for designing, developing, and testing new products and systems. They work closely with other engineers and cross-functional teams to create solutions that meet the needs of the customers, while considering factors such as cost, performance, and safety. They also create detailed technical drawings and models using computer-aided design (CAD) software, such as SolidWorks, which is commonly used in the industry.
To become a design engineer, you will typically need to earn a degree in mechanical engineering or a related field, and gain relevant experience through internships or co-op programs. Here are the steps you can take to pursue a career in design engineering:
Pursue a degree in mechanical engineering or a related field: Most design engineers have a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, but you could also consider other related fields such as aerospace engineering, industrial design or manufacturing engineering.
Gain experience through internships or co-op programs: During or after your studies, gain experience in design engineering through internships or co-op programs, in order to develop your skills and knowledge in the field.
Learn to use computer-aided design (CAD) software: Develop proficiency in using CAD software such as SolidWorks, as this is a standard tool used by design engineers to create detailed technical drawings and models.
Gain hands-on experience: Learn how to work with different materials, manufacturing techniques, and equipment. The more hands-on experience you have, the more versatile you will be in your future job.
Consider taking additional certifications: Some certifications in the field of Design engineering such as the SolidWorks Certified Professional and ASME Certified CAD Professional are available, which will demonstrate your proficiency in specific areas of design engineering.
There are many different types of companies that employ design engineers, including manufacturers, consultants, aerospace and defense firms, automotive companies, and more. The specific job positions and companies you should look for will depend on your interests and the type of work you want to do. You can start by researching companies that manufacture or design products or systems related to your interests and look for job openings in those companies. If you are uncertain you can start by applying for general mechanical engineering positions in those companies and try to work your way towards a design position by gaining experience and demonstrating your skills.
To become a design engineer, you will typically need to earn a degree in mechanical engineering or a related field, and gain relevant experience through internships or co-op programs. Here are the steps you can take to pursue a career in design engineering:
Pursue a degree in mechanical engineering or a related field: Most design engineers have a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, but you could also consider other related fields such as aerospace engineering, industrial design or manufacturing engineering.
Gain experience through internships or co-op programs: During or after your studies, gain experience in design engineering through internships or co-op programs, in order to develop your skills and knowledge in the field.
Learn to use computer-aided design (CAD) software: Develop proficiency in using CAD software such as SolidWorks, as this is a standard tool used by design engineers to create detailed technical drawings and models.
Gain hands-on experience: Learn how to work with different materials, manufacturing techniques, and equipment. The more hands-on experience you have, the more versatile you will be in your future job.
Consider taking additional certifications: Some certifications in the field of Design engineering such as the SolidWorks Certified Professional and ASME Certified CAD Professional are available, which will demonstrate your proficiency in specific areas of design engineering.
There are many different types of companies that employ design engineers, including manufacturers, consultants, aerospace and defense firms, automotive companies, and more. The specific job positions and companies you should look for will depend on your interests and the type of work you want to do. You can start by researching companies that manufacture or design products or systems related to your interests and look for job openings in those companies. If you are uncertain you can start by applying for general mechanical engineering positions in those companies and try to work your way towards a design position by gaining experience and demonstrating your skills.