what is a design engineer?
As a design engineer, you develop products and manufacturing processes to improve the productivity and profitability of a company. You use AUTOCAD and other computer-aided design (CAD) software to create designs for new products. Using computer software helps convert ideas into models, plans and prototypes. Creating prototypes with improved design features allows you to test the functionality of the product design. As well as developing new product designs, you find solutions for improving existing products to suit customers' evolving needs.
Design engineers study, research and develop ideas. When you work in research and development, you analyse market data and analytics to find opportunities for product design improvements. You collaborate with various teams to come up with the best designs. As a design engineer, you design every consumer product and industrial equipment imaginable. For instance, you develop designs for large-scale toys, office equipment, kitchen appliances, electronics and sports equipment production.
Design engineers are concerned with making a safe product that looks good. You use the design specifications to develop cost-effective product designs and evaluate the manufacturing process to ensure efficiency. You require strong maths and information technology (IT) skills to develop the best designs.
Would working as a design engineer suit your creativity and IT skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a design engineer role.
design engineer jobsaverage design engineer salary
According to the Economic Research Institute, your average salary as a design engineer in Greece is €45,400 per year. The compensation package fluctuates based on various factors, and you start with a salary of approximately €31,300 per year. When you have experience and educational qualifications, you earn more due to your expertise. As a senior design engineer, you can take home about €55,400 per year.
what factors affect the salary of a design engineer
Your compensation package as a design engineer depends on the company you work for. The value of the products you design also influences your earnings. For instance, if you are a design engineer in the aeronautical or aerospace industry, you are likely to earn more than engineers working on electronics and consumer goods. High-value and specialised equipment require additional knowledge and experience to design, which demands a higher salary.
The size of the company you work for also affects your take-home salary. When you work in a large company, you are likely to earn more than working in a small firm. Large companies handle complex projects and tend to have more resources.
types of design engineers
Some of the areas of specialisation for design engineers include:
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electrical design engineering
As a design engineer, you can specialise in designing electronic devices. You develop product designs for medical devices, biomedical instrumentation and power grids. You also create prototypes for electronic appliances.
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visual design engineering
As a visual design engineer, you specialise in contributing to the product design's artistic form and visual appeal. You focus on the product's aesthetics to ensure the consumer goods you produce are attractive and straightforward. You also ensure the efficiency and functionality of the designs.
working as a design engineer
Design engineers specialise in the science of how things are made. You are involved with the product design from inception to developing the blueprints. Let's explore design engineers' duties, career outlooks and work environments.
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what does a design engineer do?
Some of the tasks of a design engineer include:
- Consulting with clients and stakeholders: you attend consultative meetings with stakeholders and clients to determine product requirements. It helps you identify the client's needs for a specific product before developing the design. You also determine the finished product's functionality and visual structure.
- Turning a client's concept into designs: as a design engineer, you convert clients' ideas and concepts into actual designs. The ideas help you draw product designs using CAD engineering and design software. You also collaborate with other engineers to convert ideas into solid concepts.
- Testing the product designs: as a design engineer, you build prototypes and draw the design specifications. Before production, you test the prototypes to ensure they can create viable products. You make improvements to the designs after the initial testing.
- Assessing manufacturing processes: as a design engineer, you don't focus only on product design. You assess manufacturing processes and identify improvements that enhance efficiency in product development. You also collaborate with other engineers and monitor the production cycle to ensure the client's requirements are met.
- Modifying designs: projects are often redirected to meet new objectives, and when previous designs don't meet efficiency requirements, they require modification. As a design engineer, you modify the previous designs to improve performance and ensure the updated designs are in line with the new goals.
- Drafting technical reports: as a design engineer, you report to clients, project managers and engineers. You present your designs in technical reports and explain them to clients for review.
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work environment of a design engineer
Design engineers work in various industries, from manufacturing companies to the aerospace industry. Your work is office-based, and you use computers to draw the product designs. Sometimes, you create product prototypes in a laboratory setting. Depending on your area of specialisation, you make site or plant visits to various factories. You also travel to meet clients. Design engineers can often work from home or remotely during the design stage.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on the company you work for, you are likely to work alongside electrical engineers, mechanical engineers and civil engineers. You also work with drafters, cost estimators and software engineers. When working on large projects, you collaborate with a team of project engineers, project managers and DevOps engineers.
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design engineer work schedule
The standard work hours for design engineers are 40 hours a week. While most employers hire design engineers on full-time schedules, part-time and short-term job opportunities are also available.
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career opportunities as a design engineer
As a design engineer, you can work in diverse industries. For instance, you could specialise in equipment design or become an electrical designer. Some design engineers become industrial designers. Additional specialisations are available in aerospace engineering or consultancy.
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advantages of finding a job as a design engineer through randstad
Working with Randstad offers you a range of benefits.
- Always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- A range of jobs in your area
design engineer skills and education
To become a design engineer in Greece, you require the following educational qualifications:
- Education: pursue a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or civil engineering. To get a licence to practise as a design engineer, you can also complete a relevant engineering degree in Greece and sit for an exam at the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE). You should also join the Hellenic Association of Mechanical and Electrical Engineers.
- Work experience: to work as a design engineer, join internships and take advantage of entry-level roles to familiarise yourself with industry standards, such as the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). You should also improve your grasp of AutoCAD and other computer-aided design software applications.
competencies and characteristics of design engineers
Some of the skills that improve your job success include:
- Technical skills: you work with complex CAD software to create prototypes and draft product designs. Understanding these tools will help you come up with the best product designs. Hence, you require exceptional technical skills.
- Mathematical skills: as a design engineer, you draw designs and determine the product specifications. You also estimate the raw materials required to create a product. You rely on mathematical skills to calculate the necessary raw materials and develop blueprints showing product specifications.
- Creativity: while design engineering is a science and technology field, you rely on creativity to develop product designs and find ideas to improve current products. Creativity helps you try new ideas and discover new ways to enhance product designs.
- Analytical thinking skills: as a design engineer, you require critical thinking and observational skills. Analytical skills help you diagnose problems and identify issues with product prototypes before production begins. Your analytical thinking also enables you to develop processes for manufacturing new products.
- Teamwork skills: as a design engineer, you collaborate with other engineers and designers to improve product designs. Teamwork skills help you get along with others and contribute to a positive working environment.
- Communication skills: since you collaborate with various professionals to complete a product design, communication skills are vital. Communicating your ideas clearly and understanding other people's ideas is crucial.
FAQs
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a design engineer.
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what is the job of a design engineer?
As a design engineer, you are in charge of the initial concept development to actualise an idea. You identify complex design problems, develop innovative design solutions, evaluate options and conduct tests to meet the production schedule. Your job also involves modifying existing product designs to improve performance and increase efficiency. You work in various industries to design medical equipment and software solutions.
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where do most design engineers work?
Most design engineers work in manufacturing companies and are responsible for producing new equipment and products. You can work in computer hardware companies, aeronautical firms, pharmaceutical and medical equipment companies, or electronics and consumer goods industries. Some design engineers also work in design consulting firms.
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is a design engineer a good job?
Working as a design engineer in Greece is a promising career. With many industries advancing in manufacturing, design engineers are in high demand to develop the initial designs for manufacturing. The role is also fulfilling due to the hands-on nature and the contribution towards providing high-quality products for consumers.
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is it hard to be a design engineer?
As a design engineer, your role involves complex technological processes that require specialised knowledge. You also have deadlines to meet and the pressure of completing jobs as per user requirements. The projects call for additional focus and long hours, but you will excel in the role with the correct skills.
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what is the difference between a designer and a design engineer?
While designers and design engineers are crucial in developing new systems and products, some duties differ. A designer focuses on the initial design stages and uses CAD design software to create precise technical designs and digital models. A design engineer oversees the entire design process, from determining user requirements to creating precise technical designs ready for manufacturing.
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how do I find a job as a design engineer?
Finding a job near you as a design engineer is easy. Search our job offers. Have you found what you're looking for? Then submit your application using the ‘Apply’ button top right on the page. No jobs available right now? Then log in or register an account to send us your resume and we'll pass it on to a recruiter who will contact you if an opportunity opens up for you.
