Engineering design

This page has been designed to give a starting point for those looking into careers in engineering design.

• What is engineering design?
• How do I get into it?
• Find a job or employer in this sector
• Further information and useful links

What is engineering design?

The engineering design and construction (EDC) industry provides the infrastructure and processing technology that are essential for a range of industries to process raw materials. Companies in this sector act as engineering contractors to clients such as big-name petrochemical organisations, well-known food producers and chemicals companies.

Engineering design and construction companies turn the ideas and requirements of their clients (for example, a new refinery or a plant refit) into a commercial reality through the conceptual development and detailed engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning and initial operation of the project. There is a general shortage of engineers. On the job training will usually lead to chartered status.

• AGCAS: Industry insights - Engineering (pdf 121kb)
• Prospects
  Prospects is a graduate careers website with profiles on the following jobs;
  Aeronautical engineer
  Automotive engineer
  Biomedical engineer
  Electronics engineer
  Mechanical engineer
  Naval architect
• Targetjobs: Engineering
  Targetjobs is a graduate careers website with the following job sector information.
• Inside Careers
  In-depth and structured information and advice about entering the engineering profession.

How do I get into it?

There is a general shortage of engineers. All of the professions mentioned here will require a related degree followed by further training, usually on the job to gain professional competence. This will usually lead to chartered status.

• AGCAS: Industry insights - Engineering (pdf 121kb)
• Engineering Council
  Consult the Engineering Council for further general information. 
• Semta
  This is the sector skills council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing technologies. The Careers and Qualifications Centre provides careers information and guidance on the science, engineering and manufacturing technologies sectors to careers advisors, employers and individuals.

Finding a job or employer in this sector

• Automotive Engineer International Online
• The Career Engineer
  Search for engineering jobs at The Career Engineer, source for Engineering and Construction industry jobs. 
• Gradcracker
  Dedicated to graduate engineer recruitment.
• Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM)
  Dedicated to bringing together physical science, engineering and clinical professionals in academia, healthcare services and industry.
• JustEngineers.net
  Engineering jobs portal.
• Matchtech
  Technical Recruitment Agency for IT, Engineering and Science
• New Scientist
  Jobs across the science, engineering and technology sectors. An RSS feed is available to subscribe to.

Major organisations that recruit engineers include:

• Balfour Beatty
• Ministry of Defence
• Royal Air Force
• UK Engineering Recruitment
  The leading UK technical vacancies site.
• WorkUB
  Employment and professional partnership opportunities worldwide.

Further information and useful links

• An Ethical Career in Science and Technology
  This downloadable booklet (pub. 2001) is an initial look at issues such as genetics, climate change, arms, militarisation of space, animal experiments, cleaner technology, information technology, and science funding. Briefings on different areas of scientific and technical work are also available to download.
• EEF - the manufacturers' organisation 
  EEF provides engineering and manufacturing support & employment advice for business. You will also find useful labour market and sector information as well as a vacancies section.
• Engineering Council
• Institution of Engineering and Technology
• Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (Imarest)
  This site contains a comprehensive careers section.
• Engineering Construction Industry Training Board
• The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
• Royal Aeronautical Society
  This site contains a careers section with job descriptions and profiles.
• The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
• The Society of Chemical Industry
• The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)
• The Institute of Measurement and Control
• The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining