Design and development engineer
Design engineers improve product performance and efficiency while researching and developing new ideas and systems.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a design and development engineer, you could:
- design and manage product developments
- research prototypes and innovations, using mathematical modelling
- create design plans with engineering and manufacturing software
- test products under different conditions and analyse data
- troubleshoot problems and fix them
- write product manuals and reports for project managers and clients
Working environment
You could work in an office, in a workshop or in a laboratory.
Career path and progression
You can use your design skills to work across lots of different industries, such as:
- construction
- biomedical engineering
- electronics
- renewable energy
- automotive design
With experience you could become a lead design engineer, project manager or consultant
You can also improve your career opportunities by registering for chartered status with the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED).
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- design skills and knowledge
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- complex problem-solving skills
- persistence and determination
- maths skills
- the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
You can take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree course.
Subjects include:
- engineering product design
- industrial design
- computer-aided design engineering
- engineering design and manufacture
- materials science
- maths and physics
Mechanical, electrical and civil engineering qualifications might also be accepted by employers.
Courses accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) may help your career development later on.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths
More Information
You might be able to apply for a Product Design and Development Engineer, or Robotics Engineer, Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.
This can take around 4 and a half years to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
More Information
You could apply directly for design and development engineer roles.
You'll need experience and qualifications in a particular branch of engineering, for example:
- mechanical
- aerospace
- energy
- automotive
- manufacturing
Further information
You can find out more about engineering careers and training from the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) and Neon.
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This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.