Engineering Career Advice

Engineering professionals work across a broad spectrum of sectors and may be responsible for design, production, testing, or maintenance in roles such as aerospace engineers or mechanical design engineers. You might work in an office, factory, or in the field, depending on the role. You could specialise in areas such as validation, audio, lighting, piping, and plant equipment or become a civil engineer.

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How to Work in the Engineering sector

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to get a job in Engineering

Should you wish to work in Engineering you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for an Engineering Job

  • 2 or 3 A levels (civil engineer or mechanical)
  • University degree (civil engineer)
  • Level 4 HNC Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (aerospace engineer)
  • Level 5 HND Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering and Electrical Engineer (aerospace engineer)
  • Level 2 Diploma in Rail Engineering Operative Competence (rail engineer)
  • Level 3 Diploma in Rail Engineering Technician (rail engineer)

Core Engineering Skills

The engineering sector covers many industries so you can choose to specialise in certain areas, with a chemical engineering degree, for example. You can start an engineering apprenticeship and train as you work or choose from the many engineering graduate jobs available. Creativity and problem-solving skills will be essential.

If you are looking for a diverse career with continuing professional development, an engineering job is the way to go.

Key Responsibilities for an Engineering Job

  • Test designs to ensure functionality, manage workflows and monitor progress (design engineer)
  • Understand and carry out engineering tasks
  • Collaborate with other engineers and work as part of a team
  • Calibrate and inspect equipment and tools and schedule maintenance
  • Produce or work to CAD drawings
  • Train or supervise workers (supervisory or managerial roles)
  • Improve efficiency and process speed
  • Ensure all production steps are followed
  • Diagnose or troubleshoot problems
  • Follow health and safety rules and regulations
  • Communicate with vendors, clients, and suppliers

What to expect in an Engineering Job

Engineers plan, design, manage and oversee production, and you may work in various specialised fields. You might work in aerospace, audio, lighting, plant operations, mechanical design, testing, production, or validation. Engineers have specific skills for the job and will find success through further education, gaining additional qualifications, and on-the-job experience. You should expect your role to include elements such as design, production, problem-solving, diagnostics, communication, and maintenance.

Recommended Engineering Jobs

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How to get Engineering Jobs

Our advice on how to get an Engineering job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete an Engineering application. If you have not held an Engineering position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held an Engineering role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Engineering CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Engineering application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become an Engineering in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become an Engineering 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be an Engineering and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Engineering experience.

How to get Engineering Experience

What does it take to be an Engineering? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Engineering jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Engineering through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be an Engineering Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Engineering part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Engineering or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Engineering freelance work

If you have impressive Engineering qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.