Design Engineer Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

A Design Engineer, or Design and Development Engineer works to improve product effectiveness and performance through research. Their duties include developing and designing new versions of products, researching new materials and testing prototypes. 

 

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Design Engineer duties and responsibilities

A Design Engineer main duties and tasks include:

  • Thoroughly researching new materials and processes
  • Utilising specific software to create models of the product
  • Organising previous engineering records and properly reporting new ones
  • Working as part of a team to produce the best methods
  • Attending design meetings with different departments
  • Effectively testing prototypes
  • Recording and analysing data from testing
  • Constantly modifying designs until the best version is reached

 

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Design Engineer Job Description Examples:

 

Example 1

Due to retirement, Jackson Coachworks require a Truck Body Design Engineer. Jackson’s manufacture refrigerated rigid truck bodywork predominantly for food carrying vehicles, and this is an interesting and varied position in a smaller, family run Company that operates as a close-knit, hardworking team. The role is office based, and working closely with the Company’s Salesmen and Workshop Supervisor, the main responsibility is to manage Customer orders from order placement through to the vehicle’s completion. Duties include compiling each job’s individual specification, specifying and ordering the main capital equipment [website] body panels, refrigeration units, tail lifts etc), liaising with the Workshop Supervisor to ensure smooth production, and implementing quality checks before the vehicle leaves us. Candidates must have a suitable engineering qualification of some sort, and good relevant experience working in this, or a similar, industry. Good computer literacy is naturally required, and the ability to use CAD software is preferrable. Basic electrical knowledge is also beneficial. Candidates must also be able to display high levels of accuracy and attention to detail for such an important role. The role also includes responsibility for the Company’s Whole Vehicle Type Approval certification, so any experience of this or similar regulatory compliance work is beneficial. Job Types: Full-time, Permanent Salary: per year Additional pay: * Bonus scheme Benefits: * On-site parking Schedule: * Monday to Friday Experience: * relevant: 5 years (required) Work remotely: * No

Example 2

*Graduate Design Engineer* Middlewich, Cheshire *About Us* We are ONFAB, a world-leading designer, manufacturer and installer of containment systems. Primarily serving the pharmaceutical industry, we have developed unrivalled technology in flexible containment, hard isolators and glove bag solutions. Due to significant growth, we’re now looking for a Graduate Design Engineer to join our forward-thinking team. *The Benefits* - Salary of £18,000 - £20,000 per annum - Pension - Free parking This is a fantastic opportunity to join a small, rapidly-growing company boasting a profitable product range, impressive client base and ambitious plans for the future. You’ll join an open environment where change and new ideas are embraced, and employees pool their talents together to innovate and improve upon the status quo. In this brand new role, you will have the chance to really make your mark on our new products and product development and help to create innovation and break new ground in our field. *The Role* As a Graduate Design Engineer, you will be tasked with supporting the development of new containment products and prototypes. Specifically, you will undertake a range of design, research, prototyping, estimation and process improvement activities. You’ll work with the Commercial team to establish new designs for handling potent compounds ensuring the safety of both the product and the operator, down to nanogram levels. Generating innovative designs from user requirements and regulatory constraints ensuring the successful delivery of design projects. Your role will also involve: - Using customer information and on-site measurements to create containment systems that meet customer needs - Constructing prototypes and confirming designs - Ensuring components and assemblies meet quality standards - Performing physical tests on prototypes - Providing calculations to support designs and specifications - Delivering on-site technical support as required *About You* To join us as a Graduate Design Engineer, you will need: - Minimum HNC qualification in mechanical engineering or a related field - A good working knowledge of 3D CAD (such as SolidWorks) and 2D CAD (such as AutoCAD) or similar software, gained from your studies, a professional role or similar (such as a placement) - Excellent IT skills including proficiency with MS Office applications - A creative approach and an innovative mindset with the ability to come up with new ideas and improvements for existing processes, products or designs Knowledge of MRP and PDM software would be beneficial to your application. This is the perfect role for someone looking to become or with experience as, a Design Engineer, Graduate Design Engineer, Research & Development Engineer, Junior R&D Engineer, R&D Technician, Graduate Mechanical Engineer, Graduate NPD Engineer, or New Product Development Engineer. The role could also lead to Sales Design Engineer or Account Engineer Job Types: Full-time, Permanent Salary: per year Benefits: * Company pension * On-site parking Schedule: * Monday to Friday Education: * Diploma of Higher Education (preferred) Work remotely: * No

Example 3

If you are a Skanska employee, please click on this link to read the job description and apply. Our piling and foundations division provides internationally recognised geotechnical engineering solutions to the UK construction industry and beyond. We have brought new ideas and technology to projects like HS2, Crossrail, Northern Line Extension, 21 Moorfields, ESS Lund and the Amsterdam Metro. As part of our global community of experts, you will be working on some of the world’s most exciting engineering projects. As a Senior Design Engineer you will be reporting to a Technical Manager and will work within teams to develop safe and cost-effective engineering solutions that meet the needs of our clients, ensuring that all relevant technical, health, safety and environmental standards are satisfied. You will: Undertake analyses and produce calculations etc. to satisfy the requirements of the Pre-construction and Project delivery teams to meet the client’s requirements. Work with other members of design team to complete all required tender and contract designs. Provide technical assistance to other design engineers, pre-construction estimators and project delivery staff as required. Evaluate client’s requirements and integrate requirements into the tender / contract designs. Support and mentor less experienced members of the team. We’re Looking For: Civil Engineering or Engineering Geology degree (Bachelors or Masters). Incorporated or Chartered Engineer / Geologist. Experience in design within piling and foundations engineering with a good working knowledge of Eurocode and British Standards Good knowledge of common geotechnical & structural design software packages [website] Wallap, AdSec etc.). Registered Ground Engineering Specialist or Advisor Relevant CSCS Card Please Note - Role can either be based in our Maple Cross or Doncaster office with the added benefit of flexible working arrangements. This is an advert for our Job vacancy, and therefore may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the role described, and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of Skanska. For more information or if you would like a confidential discussion please contact me directly on Additional Information Location: Rickmansworth, England, United Kingdom Additional Locations: Doncaster, England, United Kingdom Schedule: Full-time Employee Status: Regular Statements

Example 4

Our technology-driven firm’s engineering department currently has an immediate opening for a Design Engineer. The Design Engineer will be responsible for carrying out the duties of the Engineering department, including design, research, engineering documentation, estimating and process improvement. The successful candidate will report directly to the Head of engineering, and collaborate with design/purchasing and workshop/assembly teams on design projects. This an excellent opportunity to work in a friendly work environment with a team that is dedicated and passionate about our product. *Responsibilities include: * * Following specifications and calculations to create various technical drawings and BOM. * Identifying and communicating potential design problems to the rest of the team. * Prepare technical operational and maintenance manuals for all machines * Ensure the quality of products and services is maintained and make improvements to the processes where necessary * Organise and maintain existing engineering records * Occasionally travel to site UK and abroad *Design Engineer skills: * * Bachelor’s Degree in, Mechanical Engineering or related field * Knowledge of SolidWorks or equivalent. * Impeccable attention to detail * Ability to plan, schedule, coordinate and problem solve effectively Job Types: Full-time, Permanent Salary: per year Benefits: * On-site parking Schedule: * Monday to Friday Work remotely: * No

What does a Design Engineer do?

A Design Engineer looks for ways to improve a product’s design and the design process. Working as a team with members of the design department, they research different product materials, find new approaches to design and try unprecedented methods, in an effort to produce a better product in a more efficient manner. 

 

Design Engineer skills and qualifications

A successful Design Engineer candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications that typically include:

  • Thorough understanding of the latest industry software 
  • The ability to work under pressure and constraints
  • Determination and persistence
  • The ability to accept constructive criticism
  • Thorough attention to detail
  • Analytical thinking skills
  • The ability to work well on a team
  • The ability to think of unique answers to problems

 

Design Engineer experience requirements

For most companies, candidates need a few year’s experience in the engineering field, preferably as a Junior Design Engineer. They must be familiar with industry software like Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Assisted Engineering (CAE). Candidates applying without any previous working experience should have completed an apprenticeship or internship, have creative problem-solving skills and be familiar with the particular industry that the company represents. 

 

Design Engineer education and training requirements

Employers usually hire candidates with a university degree in one of the following subjects: engineering product design, industrial design, computer-aided design engineering, engineering design and manufacturing and materials science. Many employers also accept mechanical, electrical and civil engineering qualifications. This requires candidates to complete one or two A levels for a higher national diploma. 

In addition, some companies prefer candidates who have completed a product design and development engineer degree apprenticeship. A candidate must possess four or five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 to qualify for an apprenticeship.

 

Design Engineer salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Design Engineer in the UK, is £35,916 per year. Salary varies depending on experience, location and company.

 

Job description samples for similar positions

In you are not specifically looking for a Design Engineer, here are job description samples for related positions:

 

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Design Engineer job description FAQs

 

What are the different types of Design Engineer?

A Design Engineer can work in a variety of different industries, the type of industry will dictate the products and processes they work on. Some industries include construction, renewable energy, electronics and medicine. An applicant must know as much about the industry they will be working in as they do about the specifics of the position. 

 

Who does a Design Engineer report to?

This will depend upon the size of the company. A small company with few Design Engineers may report directly to the CEO, while a large company with a department of Design Engineers often have Managers, that liaise between the Engineers and other departments. No matter what the hierarchy is, a Design Engineer must take copious notes and be able to report their progress to their higher-ups at any time. 

 

What is the difference between a Design Engineer and Manufacturing Engineer?

Both types of engineering have the same ultimate goal as they are concerned with producing the highest quality product in the most efficient manner. A Design Engineer is focused on the individual components and materials of a product’s design. A Manufacturing Engineer is focused on the mass assembly of the product such as warehouse organisation and assembly lines. Sometimes the responsibilities of the two disciplines overlap. For example, a Design Engineer may have some design specifications that are beneficial to the assembly line. 

 

How can you make your Design Engineer job description stand out?

Begin by focusing on what industry the company is working in for example, a company that focuses on renewable energy can attract many candidates who want to work hard to make a difference in the future of the environment. Then focus on the benefits that make your company competitive such as pension scheme, flexible working hours, enhanced annual leave allowance, maternity and paternity pay or anything else that sets a company apart. Highlight any opportunities for growth within the company and opportunities to learn new skills to develop in their career. 

Job Description Examples

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