Careers in Engineering Graphics
[CF, CA, RBL]

There are a wide variety of design careers available at different levels of technical performance. Draft persons typically require a minimum of a 1 or 2 year drafting/CAD technology diploma program. These types of programs are typically offered in technical institutes. You can also find a number of CAD/design classes offered through community colleges.

Prospective drafters typically take courses in mathematics and the physical sciences as well as computer assisted drafting and computer assisted design. In their studies, there is often a focus on structural strength, strength of materials, physical metallurgy, CAM and robotics.

Individuals interested in a more in depth study and practice of design may wish to consider a career in one of several fields of engineering. The work of an engineer covers a wide range of activities. Some work in areas such as manufacturing management (where they draw upon a wide variety of experiences and knowledge). Others work in areas such as nuclear research (where they draw upon a narrow but intensive area of specialization).

Typically, engineering design careers fall under one of the following categories:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Architectural Engineering
• Aerospace Engineering.

Within each of these engineering design categories, you will find a further subdivision of responsibilities depending on the individuals interests and skills. These include:

• Research - Engineers involved in research are attempting to apply known principles to solve existing problems or to discover new knowledge. This is usually a practical type of research that can involve many things, such as the use of materials or the development of a new process. This type of work is often slow to show results. While scientific knowledge is the basis for research, many attempts at solutions are by trial and error. Research engineers learn from failure as well as success. They add to the knowledge that can be used by others.

• Development - The area of development involves the actual use of discoveries. Development follows the research activity and sometimes occurs along with it. Because the two activities overlap, many companies combine them into a single research and development department. Much of the work in engineering development involves improving and redesigning existing products. Engineers study other solutions. They find out why the product is not totally satisfactory and propose a new design. This could involve actual field testing of the product after the laboratory model has proven satisfactory. The final key to success is to have the solution perform satisfactorily under the actual conditions for which it was designed.

• Design - The design engineer is involved with designing a salable product that will function in the described environment and will meet the needs of the purchaser at a price people will pay.

• Manufacturing - The engineer in manufacturing is closely involved with the production of the product. This includes aspects such as fabrication and assembly of parts, establishing the work flow in the plant, quality control, safety, equipment selection, standards of workmanship, and production schedules.

• Construction - is the art and technique of designing and building. The emphasis in construction is to fulfill both practical and expressive requirements of a particular client and thus embraces both utilitarian (functional design) and aesthetic ends (aesthetic design). The engineer in construction requires a strong foundation in structural design techniques as well as artistic sense. The relative weight given to each can vary widely depending on the project (i.e. designing a factory vs designing a modern high-rise).

• Plant Maintenance - A plant engineer is in charge of the overall maintenance of the buildings, equipment within these buildings, and the grounds surrounding the plant. Engineers in plant maintenance regularly use drawings related to the machinery, its installation, and maintenance. Sometimes the plant engineer has to generate drawings for some aspect of the operation.

• Sales - Many of the products of industry cannot be sold without an assessment of the needs of a possible purchaser, a clear technical analysis of the problem, and a demonstration of how a specific product will function in a given situation. Engineers in sales not only represent a product but also serve as consultants to prospective purchasers and help them solve their manufacturing problems.

• Management - Management engineers are concerned with the financial, human relations, and marketing aspects of the business. They are expected to review a wide variety of engineering drawings. They have the responsibility for the ultimate success of the company, and intensive examination and approval of product designs and revisions are part of this success.

• Consulting - Consulting engineers often act as a liaison between engineers and potential clients. They are a front line engineer often responsible for providing advice or recommendations to clients who have particular engineering problems.

Last Updated June 5/2001