Design and development engineer
Design engineers improve product performance and efficiency while researching and developing new ideas and systems.
Typical Salary
£25,000 – £55,000
per year
Working Hours
38–40
hours per week
Day-to-day tasks
As a design and development engineer, you could:
- design and manage product developments
- research prototypes and innovations, using mathematical modelling
- create design plans with engineering and manufacturing software
- test products under different conditions and analyse data
- troubleshoot problems and fix them
- write product manuals and reports for project managers and clients
Skills needed
- design skills and knowledge
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- complex problem-solving skills
- persistence and determination
- maths skills
- the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to get into this role
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
Career progression
You can use your design skills to work across lots of different industries, such as:
- construction
- biomedical engineering
- electronics
- renewable energy
- automotive design
With experience you could become a lead design engineer, project manager or consultant
You can also improve your career opportunities by registering for chartered status with the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED).