What is a Mechanical Design Engineer?
A design engineer is a professional who develops and creates concepts, plans, and specifications for new products and systems. The main job responsibilities of a design engineer include:
We are designing and developing products like medical devices, vehicle components, computer hardware, home appliances, and consumer electronics.
Performing engineering analysis and testing to evaluate product designs and technology integration.
Creating detailed technical drawings, schematics, prototypes, and design specifications.
Selecting materials and production methods to balance functionality, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
Collaborating with engineering, manufacturing, and marketing teams throughout the product development process.
Using CAD software to create 3D models and 2D documentation.
Unlike mechanical engineers who focus more on analysis, design engineers concentrate on the initial conception and styling of products. They determine the user experience goals, aesthetic principles, and ergonomics of a product. Design engineers typically specialize in designing particular types of products based on their industry and employer. Some common specializations include automotive design, green product design, industrial design, and architectural design.
Overall, design engineers apply creativity and technical know-how to develop new products that are functional, safe, economical, and attractive to users. Their work bridges the gap between product specification and manufacturing by turning concepts into tangible designs.
Design Engineer Salary and Job Outlook
Design engineers earn an attractive salary, especially considering that a bachelor's degree is the standard educational requirement. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual wage for design engineers in 2021 was $83,590. The lowest 10% of design engineers earned less than $56,800, while the top 10% earned over $138,970 per year.
Several factors impact a design engineer's salary potential, including:
Location - Design engineers working in metropolitan areas on the coasts typically earn the highest salaries. For example, design engineers in California earn over $100,000 on average.
Industry - The highest-paying design engineer jobs are in software development, aerospace, and research & development. Industries like manufacturing and construction tend to pay slightly lower salaries.
Seniority and experience - Entry-level design engineers start around $65,000, with salaries increasing steadily with years of experience. Design engineers with 10-20 years of experience can earn over $120,000 per year. Supervisory and management roles also command higher salaries.
Education - A master's degree in engineering or a specialized design field can boost earning potential, especially later in one's career. Many high-level design engineering jobs require a master's or doctoral degree.
In addition to a strong salary outlook, the job growth for design engineers is projected to be 5 percent through 2030 (per the Bureau of Labor Statistics), which is about as fast as the national average for all occupations. An increasing focus on sustainability, efficiency, and innovative design in engineering and manufacturing will create new jobs and drive demand for skilled design engineers over the next decade. Overall, the salary and job outlook for design engineers appear very positive.
## Design Engineer Education Requirements
Most design engineer positions require at least a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical field. Common majors for aspiring design engineers include:
Mechanical engineering
Industrial design
Product design
Manufacturing engineering
Since design engineering combines both technical engineering skills and creative design abilities, some programs offer concentrations specifically in design engineering. Look for mechanical engineering degrees with a focus on machine design or product design engineering programs.
Some schools also offer 5-year bachelor's + master's programs in design engineering which can help prepare you for more advanced career opportunities. A graduate degree like a Master of Science in Engineering Design can open up additional job prospects in management, research and development, or consulting.
While it's possible to become a design engineer with only an associate's degree, a bachelor's degree is typically the minimum education required for most positions. Earning an engineering degree from an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited program can also make you more competitive.
Gaining practical experience through internships and undergraduate research is highly recommended to complement your coursework. Building a well-rounded portfolio showcasing your design skills and engineering knowledge can help demonstrate your capabilities to future employers.
Essential Design Engineer Skills
To succeed as a design engineer, certain core skills are absolutely vital. Technical skills are important, but design engineers also need creativity, communication abilities, and problem-solving skills to thrive in the field.
Creativity and Problem Solving
Design engineers must have creative and analytical thinking abilities to come up with innovative solutions to design challenges. You'll need to brainstorm and visualize original ideas, and then critically evaluate options to choose the best design. Problem-solving skills allow design engineers to pinpoint issues and devise ways to resolve them.
Communication and Teamwork
Strong communication is crucial, as design engineers must collaborate with teams of designers, engineers, clients, and manufacturers. You'll need to explain design concepts clearly, negotiate design decisions, and give constructive feedback. Listening skills are also key. Overall, communication and teamwork abilities enable smooth collaboration.
Technical and Software Skills
Proficiency with design and engineering software is mandatory for creating models, prototypes, and specifications. CAD programs like AutoCAD, SolidWorks, CATIA and others are especially important. Depending on your role, you may also need to master analysis tools, simulation software, modeling platforms like Revit, and more. Knowledge of programming languages like C++ can also be useful for some positions.
The right mix of creative, collaborative, analytical, and technical abilities can set you up for success as a design engineer. Developing these core competencies will make you a highly valued contributor to any design and engineering team.
Design Engineer Certifications
Though not always required, certifications can help advance a design engineer's career by demonstrating specialized skills and expertise. Two of the most recognized certifications for design engineers are the Professional Engineering license and the Certified SolidWorks Professional certification.
Professional Engineering (PE) License
Obtaining a Professional Engineering license demonstrates competency, expertise, and professionalism as an engineer. It also allows design engineers to offer engineering services directly to the public. The PE license is administered at the state level and requires meeting education and experience qualifications, passing two exams, and practicing under a licensed engineer. Though voluntary, the PE license is highly valued across engineering fields and can improve job prospects and earning potential.
Certified SolidWorks Professional (CSWP)
SolidWorks is one of the most widely used CAD software tools in engineering and design. Earning the Certified SolidWorks Professional designation demonstrates advanced skills and proficiency in SolidWorks. To qualify for the CSWP certification, candidates must pass a comprehensive exam that tests modeling, drawing, and design skills. Certified SolidWorks Professionals showcase expertise in this critical engineering software, which can make them more competitive candidates for design engineering roles.
The PE license and CSWP certification carry weight in the design engineering field and can help professionals stand out and pursue senior-level positions. While optional, they indicate a higher level of dedicated training and proficiency.
Gaining Design Engineer Experience
Gaining hands-on experience is a critical step to launching your design engineering career. There are several ways to start accumulating practical experience as a student or recent graduate:
Internships and Co-ops
Completing one or more internships or co-ops related to design engineering is highly recommended. These opportunities allow you to gain work experience under the guidance of seasoned professionals. Look for internships at engineering firms, product design companies, manufacturers, architecture firms, or other relevant organizations. Internships usually last a few months up to a year, while co-ops integrate periods of full-time work with college semesters.
Entry-Level Design Jobs
Entry-level design roles like associate design engineer, junior designer, or CAD drafter can help you get your foot in the door. These positions allow recent graduates to utilize their academic knowledge while developing professional skills on the job. Entry-level jobs often involve assisting senior designers, creating CAD models, performing engineering calculations, prototyping designs, and researching design methods.
Building Your Portfolio
As you gain experience, collect examples of your best work to build up your professional portfolio. Include CAD models, drawings, prototypes, reports, presentations, and images showing your end-to-end design process. Portfolios demonstrate your skills and experience to potential employers. Build a web-based portfolio to make your work easily accessible to hiring managers and recruiters. Update it regularly as you gain more experience from internships, jobs, freelance projects, and academic coursework.
A Day in the Life of a Design Engineer
A typical day for a design engineer involves a wide range of activities and responsibilities. Here's an overview of what a regular workday may look like:
Attend project meetings and collaborate with engineers, designers, and other stakeholders to discuss project objectives, specifications, materials, aesthetics, budgets, and timelines.
Research and evaluate existing products, systems, software, and other solutions to understand performance, limitations, and areas for potential improvement.
Conceptualize and sketch preliminary design ideas, work through calculations and analysis, and develop rough 3D CAD models to test concepts.
Use CAD software like SolidWorks to refine the form and function of product designs and produce detailed technical drawings.
Select optimal materials and components and specify manufacturing methods and assembly procedures required to implement the design.
Create prototypes and perform tests to evaluate and refine designs. Identify potential flaws and implement solutions.
Prepare design reports, calculations, models, drawings, and other documentation to convey design details to developers, manufacturers, clients, and other team members.
Oversee manufacturing operations and provide support to troubleshoot production issues.
Stay current on technological advances, product trends, regulations, and other developments that may impact design projects.
Attend training and development programs to expand software capabilities and engineering skills.
Most design engineers work full-time schedules in office environments. They may occasionally visit production facilities or clients to provide support. Tight deadlines may require extended hours to finish projects on schedule. Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively are essential to success as a design engineer.
Design Engineer Career Path and Advancement
The career path for a design engineer can vary substantially depending on factors like education, experience, skills, and professional goals. However, there is a general career progression that many design engineers follow.
Entry-Level Design Engineer
After completing your engineering or design degree, the first role is typically an entry-level design engineer position. In this job, you will work under the guidance of senior engineers to develop your skills and gain hands-on experience. Entry-level responsibilities often include:
Creating CAD models and drawings
Performing design calculations and analysis
Documenting design specifications
Conducting tests on prototypes
Assisting with preparing engineering documentation
At this stage, focus on absorbing as much knowledge as possible and developing your technical capabilities. Take advantage of any training and mentoring opportunities.
Mid-Level Design Engineer
With 2-5 years of experience, you can progress to a mid-level design engineer role. Here, you will take on more complex design tasks with increasing autonomy. Mid-level responsibilities may include:
Leading specific aspects of the design process
Using analysis tools to validate designs
Directing drafting teams
Coordinating prototype development
Interfacing with manufacturing engineers
Managing small projects
Focus on building leadership and project management abilities at this stage. Develop expertise with new design tools and methodologies.
Senior Design Engineer
With 8+ years of progressive experience, you can achieve the senior design engineer level. As a senior engineer, you will take the lead on major design projects. Key responsibilities often include:
Providing strategic direction for design projects
Leading project teams
Overseeing entire design lifecycles
Selecting tools, techniques, and methodologies
Directing prototype testing and evaluation
Mentoring junior engineers
Communicating with clients/stakeholders
At this point in your career, concentrate on cultivating project leadership talents, technical specialization, and management capabilities.
Engineering Manager/Director
Some experienced design engineers transition into engineering management roles. As a manager or director, responsibilities may include:
Directing teams of design engineers
Establishing processes, standards, and methodologies
Overseeing budgets and resources
Leading multidisciplinary design initiatives
Communicating objectives and plans to executives
Hiring and mentoring engineering talent
Fostering innovation and continuous improvement
Pursuing an MBA can help prepare for the business aspects of engineering management positions. Leadership training is also beneficial.
The career advancement path allows design engineers to take on increasing levels of responsibility, leadership, and technical specialization. There are opportunities to not only grow technical capabilities but also develop project management and business acumen. With demonstrated expertise and leadership talents, experienced design engineers can achieve roles like department manager, director of engineering, VP of product development, and other senior technology leadership positions.
Pros and Cons of Being a Design Engineer
Being a design engineer can be an incredibly rewarding career, but it does come with its own set of pros and cons to consider. Here are some of the key benefits as well as potential challenges of the role:
Pros
Creativity and innovation: Design engineering provides the opportunity to turn ideas into reality. Design engineers get to dream up creative solutions and bring innovative products to life. The chance to combine engineering principles with artistic creativity is a major draw for many.
Problem-solving: Identifying and overcoming design challenges is a core part of the job. Design engineers use critical thinking and troubleshooting abilities to find ingenious solutions to complex issues. The process of iterative prototyping allows for constant problem-solving.
Seeing products come to life: One of the most gratifying aspects of being a design engineer is the ability to conceptualize a product and then see it through from ideation to manufacturing. The opportunity to see your sketches transformed into real-world products can be highly rewarding.
Career advancement and specialization: There are opportunities to advance into senior engineering roles or specialize in industries like medical devices, consumer electronics, or sustainable energy. The field is constantly evolving with new technologies opening career paths.
Cons
Deadlines and time pressures: Design projects often come with tight deadlines and budgets. This can create substantial time pressures, especially as launch dates approach. The need to balance speed and quality can be demanding.
Attention to detail: Design engineering requires immense precision and attention to detail in order to avoid mistakes or imperfections in the finished product. There is very little room for error when creating functional products.
Stress and burnout: The pressing deadlines and need for perfection can take a toll over time. Like other engineering fields, design engineering is susceptible to high-stress levels and eventual burnout without proper work-life balance.
Limited capacity for mistakes: Small oversights in the design process can lead to huge ramifications down the line. Triple-checking work is crucial. This pressure and low tolerance for errors can be challenging.
Collaboration difficulties: Bringing products to life requires close cross-functional collaboration. However, miscommunications between teams like engineering, design, and manufacturing can derail projects. Strong communication and teamwork are essential.
How to Become a Design Engineer: 10 Key Steps
If you're interested in becoming a design engineer, following these key steps can help guide you in the right direction:
1. Earn a bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field like mechanical, industrial, architectural, or manufacturing engineering. Concentrations or focus areas related to design are ideal.
2. Complete internships and gain experience through co-ops, entry-level design jobs, or shadowing opportunities. Hands-on experience is invaluable.
3. Build your portfolio with school and freelance projects to showcase your skills. Having a strong portfolio is critical when job hunting.
4. Obtain certifications (optional) like the Certified SOLIDWORKS Professional (CSWP) credential to demonstrate your software skills.
5. Network and make connections by joining professional associations and attending industry events. Connections can lead to job opportunities.
6. Research design engineering jobs and companies that interest you by looking at websites like LinkedIn and Glassdoor. Identify roles and firms to target.
7. Prepare your resume and practice interviewing. Highlight relevant coursework, skills, and experience. Review common interview questions.
8. Consider a master's degree for career advancement, especially in management or specialized engineering roles.
9. Keep learning and expanding your skills through continuing education, training, and professional development. Stay up to date on the latest advancements.
10. Get Professional Engineering (PE) licensure after several years to take on more responsibility. The PE demonstrates advanced competence.