Types of engineers and what they do
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There are many different types of engineers , each with their own area of expertise. But what does an engineer actually do and what does he study? In this article, Remote Scout has compiled a list of popular types of engineers and what they do so you can make an informed decision about your future career. In this article we use reference values from the United States because the values in the DACH region are very far apart.
What does an engineer do?
Engineers design and create things that make our lives easier by applying the principles of science and mathematics to real-world problems.
Engineers are directly or indirectly involved in virtually all modern products and services. This includes addressing current challenges and developing future solutions in healthcare, energy, transportation, world hunger, space exploration, climate change and other areas.
There are many different types of engineers, some of the common disciplines include: E.g., civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, etc., but they all have a common goal and each engineer brings their own perspective and skills.
Now let's take a closer look at some of the most popular types of engineers:
1. Mechanical engineers
Mechanical engineering (ME) is the application of physical principles and engineering design to produce machines and systems. Mechanical engineering is one of the most comprehensive technical disciplines. It includes the design and manufacture of everything from tiny components to complex, large systems.
Mechanical engineers have a huge impact on our daily lives. This is because mechanical engineering professions are about finding solutions to human needs. They deal with everything that moves, from components to machines to the human body.
With 50,000 degrees awarded each year, mechanical engineering is one of the most popular engineering disciplines in the United States. The average salary for mechanical engineering graduates in the United States is $83,787 per year. [1]
What does a mechanical engineer do?
Mechanical engineers design, develop, test, and manufacture engines, power plants, aircraft, rockets, medical devices, transportation systems, and other devices.
Mechanical engineers specialize in the design, development and manufacture of machines and mechanical systems. They typically work to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of machines and mechanical systems. They make these processes and products more efficient by applying their knowledge of physics and engineering.
Mechanical engineers typically work in offices, but may also work on construction sites to observe equipment or perform tests. You can work in a variety of industries, such as: E.g. in manufacturing, automotive, aerospace and energy sectors.
2. Electrical engineers
Electrical engineering is the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. It covers a wide range of technologies, from power generation and distribution to electronic devices and systems.
In contrast to other engineering fields such as civil engineering and mechanical engineering, electrical engineering is a relatively new field. It is the second most popular engineering discipline in the United States, with over 31,000 undergraduate degrees awarded annually. The average salary for electrical engineering graduates in the United States is $86,984 per year. [2]
The career prospects for electrical engineers are good. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of electrical engineers is expected to increase by 7% between 2020 and 2030. [3]
What does an electrical engineer do?
Electrical engineering is a very diverse area of engineering. Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacturing of electrical devices such as electric motors, radar and navigation systems, broadcast and communications systems, power generation systems, and power distribution systems.
They also work on developing new technologies in areas such as renewable energy sources, energy storage and energy conservation. Electrical engineers also work to make electronics and electrical devices more energy efficient.
Electrical engineers typically have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. Some electrical engineers also have a master's degree or doctorate, particularly those who work in research and development or academic fields.
3. Civil engineers
Civil engineering is one of the oldest and most important engineering disciplines. It is responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of major infrastructure projects such as bridges, roads, tunnels, canals, dams and buildings. Without civil engineers, our world would indeed be very different.
Civil engineering is the third most popular engineering discipline in the United States, with over 21,000 degrees awarded annually. The average salary for civil engineers in the United States is $82,284 per year. [4]
As the world's population grows, civil engineers will be in high demand as more and more infrastructure needs to be developed. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of civil engineers is expected to increase by 8% between 2020 and 2030. [5]
What is the job of a civil engineer?
Civil engineers design and oversee the construction of infrastructure projects such as skyscrapers, bridges, roads, dams, airports, and water and wastewater systems. They also work on environmental projects such as remediating polluted areas, developing solid waste management plans, and researching ways to prevent flooding.
Civil engineers are also responsible for maintaining existing infrastructure. This includes inspecting bridges and dams to ensure they are safe, as well as repairing or replacing infrastructure that is no longer functional.
To become a licensed civil engineer, you must have a four-year bachelor's degree in civil engineering from an accredited engineering program.
4. Computer engineers
Computer engineering is defined as the discipline that encompasses the science and technology of the design, construction, implementation, and maintenance of software and hardware components of modern computer systems and computer-controlled devices.
It is a relatively new discipline in engineering. It combines the principles and concepts of computer science with those of electrical engineering to develop computer hardware and software.
With more than 15,000 degrees awarded each year, computer engineering is the fourth most popular engineering field in the United States. The average salary for computer engineering graduates in the United States is $93,782 per year. [6]
What is the job of a computer engineer?
Computer engineers are responsible for the design and development of computer hardware and software. You work on various components of computer systems, such as: E.g. processors, memory chips and circuit boards. They also develop new computer technologies and applications.
Computer engineers ensure that computer hardware works properly with the latest software technologies. They also work on optimizing existing computer systems to make them faster and more efficient.
To become a computer technician, you must have a four-year bachelor's degree in electronics and computer science or software engineering to work in this field.
5. Energy engineers
Energy engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with the production, distribution and use of energy. The goal of energy technology is to ensure that our energy systems are reliable, efficient and sustainable. The main focus of energy technology is on renewable energies and their systems.
Energy technology is a relatively new field of engineering that is gaining popularity as the world becomes more aware of the need for sustainable energy solutions.
As concerns about climate change grow, so does the demand for renewable energy sources. The average salary for energy engineering graduates in the United States is $86,324 per year. [7]
What does an energy engineer do?
Energy engineers are responsible for developing and implementing sustainable energy solutions. This includes work on projects such as solar and wind farms, dams and geothermal power plants. They also develop plans to improve the efficiency of existing energy systems, such as power plants and transmission lines.
Energy engineers are responsible for the management and operation of renewable energy projects such as: B. photovoltaic systems or wind energy parks. They also provide technical support to other engineers working on energy projects.
To become an energy engineer, you must have a four-year bachelor's degree in engineering with a concentration in electricity, renewable energy, and sustainable development.
6. Chemical engineers
Chemical engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with the planning and construction of chemical plants and processes. The goal of chemical engineering is to develop new materials and products or improve existing ones.
Process engineering is most commonly found in large-scale industry, where the goal is to improve production and product quality while reducing costs. Process engineering is used in a variety of sectors, e.g. B. in aerospace, automotive engineering, biomedicine, electronics, environmental protection, medicine and military to develop and improve technical products.
Chemical engineering is one of the most popular engineering disciplines in the United States, with over 14,000 degrees awarded each year. The average salary for chemical engineers in the United States is $80,499 per year. [8th]
What does a chemical engineer do?
Chemical engineers use their knowledge of chemistry, physics and mathematics to solve problems in manufacturing, medicine, food processing and environmental protection. Chemical engineers develop economical commercial processes to convert raw materials into useful products.
Chemical engineers work in a variety of industries, such as: B. in the pharmaceutical industry, the food and beverage industry, the cosmetics industry and the energy industry. You may also work in research and development to develop new products or processes.
To work as a chemical engineer, you must have a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from an engineering school.
Credentials:
- [1] https://www.indeed.com/career/mechanical-engineer/salaries
- [2] https://www.indeed.com/career/electrical-engineer/salaries
- [3] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/electrical-and-electronics-engineers.htm
- [4] https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/pay-salary/how-much-do-civil-engineers-make
- [5] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/civil-engineers.htm
- [6] https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/pay-salary/salary-for-computer-engineer
- [7] https://www.indeed.com/career/energy-engineer/salaries
- [8] https://www.indeed.com/career/chemical-engineer/salaries
