What Do Engineers Do? Engineers apply the theories and principles of science and mathematics to the economical solution of practical technical problems. I.e. To solve problems Often their work is the link between a scientific discovery and its application. In addition to design and development, many engineers work in testing, production or maintenance. They supervise production in factories, determine the causes of breakdowns, and test manufactured products to maintain quality. They also estimate the time and cost to complete projects. Some work in management or sales where an engineering background enables them to discuss technical aspects of a product and assist in planning its installation or use. Main Branches of Engineering Electrical Engineers Computer Engineers Industrial Engineers Manufacturing Engineers Engineers Titles or Jobs Aerospace Engineer Agricultural engineer Architectural Engineer Biomechanical Engineer Bioengineering Engineer Biomedical Engineer Ceramic Engineer Chemical Engineer Civil Engineer Structural Engineer City Planner Transportation Engineer Highway Engineer River and Harbor Engineer Sanitary and Environment Engineer Electrical and electronics Engineer Computer software Engineers Computer hardware Engineers Geological Engineer Industrial Engineer Mechanical Engineers Aerospace Engineers Chemical Engineers Civil Engineers Manufacturing Engineer Process Engineer Operations Engineer Manufacturing Specialist Tool Engineer Production Engineer Materials Engineer Mineral Engineer Extractive Metallurgist Engineer Mechanical Engineer Nuclear Engineer Photonics Engineer Systems Engineer Environmental Engineer Fire Protection Engineer Manufacturing Engineer Metallurgy and Materials Engineer Mineral and Mining Engineer Ocean Engineer Project Engineer
Description of Engineering Jobs Aerospace Engineering - The branch of engineering concerned primarily with the design and construction of aircraft structures and power units, and with the special problems of flight in the atmosphere. That branch of engineering concerned primarily with the special problems of flight and other modes of transportation involving a heavy reliance on aerodynamics or fluid mechanics. The main emphasis is on airplane and missile flight, but aeronautical engineers work in many related fields such as hydrofoils, which have many problems in common with aircraft wings, and with such devices as air-cushion vehicles, which make use of airflow around the base to lift the vehicle a few feet off the ground, whereupon it is propelled forward by use of propellers or gas turbines. Chemical engineers - Develop processes and products made with chemicals perhaps in the food, petroleum, or pharmaceutical industries. Chemical engineering basically is applied chemistry. It is the branch of engineering concerned with the design, construction, and operation of machines and plants that perform chemical reactions to solve practical problems or make useful products. Some chemical engineers make designs and invent new processes. Some construct instruments and facilities. Some plan and operate facilities. Chemical engineers have helped develop atomic science, polymers, paper, dyes, drugs, plastics, fertilizers, foods, petrochemicals... pretty much everything. They devise ways to make products from raw materials and ways to convert one material into another useful form. Chemical engineers can make processes more cost effective or more environmentally friendly or more efficient. Civil engineers - Design roads, buildings, transportation systems, and other large-scale construction projects. Categories within this area may include structural, environmental, geological, hydraulic, transportation and construction engineering. Structural Engineers - They make the plans for the actual structure. City Planners - Lay out the towns and cities. Transportation Engineers- Plan and build railroads, airports, and the things that are needed to keep them in operation. Highway Engineers - Construct the network of highways. River and Harbor Engineers- Control the flow of rivers, build and maintain harbors and do flood control projects. Sanitary and Environment Engineers - Plan and build dams, reserves, aqueducts, pipelines, and purification plants. They also control pollution. Environmental Engineering: They assist with the development of water distribution systems, recycling methods, sewage treatment plants and other pollution prevention and control systems. They also are involved with air quality and reduction of pesticides.
Materials engineers - Study metals, ceramics, plastics, and composites to design materials for applications that may involve transportation, communication or power production. Mineral engineers include mining, metallurgical and petroleum engineers, who are focused on extracting minerals from the ground and converting them to pure forms. Design the layout of mines and transport of materials out of the mine. Extractive Metallurgist Engineers - Separate the metal bearing ores from rock and other minerals and then extract the metal from the ore. Metallurgy and Materials Engineering Mineral and Mining Engineering Electrical and electronics engineers design, develop, test and supervise the manufacture of electrical and electronic equipment such as: Broadcast and communications systems Electric motors, machinery controls, and lighting and wiring in buildings, automobiles, aircraft, and radar and navigation systems Power generating, controlling and transmission devices used by electric utilities Fuel Cells Hydroelectric plants Solar Panels Components for computers, cell phones, satellites & televisions Computer Engineering: Deals with all aspects of the design, construction & operations of computer systems. Computer software engineers apply the quickly evolving principles and techniques of computer science, engineering and mathematical analysis to the design, development, testing and evaluation of software and software systems. Computer hardware engineers researches, design, develop and test computer hardware and supervise its manufacture and installation. Hardware includes computer chips, circuit boards, computer systems and related equipment such as keyboards, modems and printers. Photonics engineers - Concerned with understanding how light can be emitted, transmitted, amplified, detected, modulated and switched for a variety of purposes. Lasers are a key component of photonics. Systems engineers - Draws from many engineering fields and backgrounds to combine emerging technologies to create new ideas and materials. Systems engineering techniques are used in complex projects: from spacecrafts to chip design, from robotics to creating large software products to building bridges. Systems engineering uses a host of tools that include modeling and simulation, requirements analysis, and scheduling to manage large, complex projects.
Industrial engineers design, develop, test, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes including human work factors, quality control, inventory control, logistics and material flow, cost analysis, and production coordination. Industrial engineers are concerned about the management of people and equipment. They attempt to design ways of creating goods that use these resources without much waste. For example, engineers try to set up assembly lines so that workers can rest briefly between items. If items move too quickly, workers may work too hard. If items move too slowly, workers may become bored rapidly. Similarly, engineers try to set up production so that machines are almost always in use. Sample of reported job titles: Industrial Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer Process Engineer, Operations Engineer Manufacturing Specialist, Tool Engineer Production Engineer Mechanical Engineers design, produce, maintain and improve all kinds of mechanical devices, components, engines and systems. Examples include transportation equipment, environmental control systems, materials handling systems, machine tools, robots, and automated manufacturing equipment. Mechanical Engineers are also involved with power conversion systems ranging from internal combustion engines to large power-generating stations. They need to know about all forms of energy needed to produce motion or heat - solar, water, wind and nuclear energy as well as conventional fuels. The field is diverse, and Mechanical Engineers can work in different areas including: design, testing, manufacturing/plant engineering, sales or teaching. Nuclear engineers research and develop the processes, instruments and systems needed to derive benefits from nuclear energy and radiation. Nuclear engineers: Operate nuclear power plants Work with the disposal of nuclear waste Develop nuclear power sources for spacecraft Use radioactive materials for industrial and medical uses, such as equipment to diagnose and treat medical problems Biomechanical engineers look at how engineering can be applied to the human body. (Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering) Understanding the mechanics of how we walk and run, sit and stand, and bend and flex is used to design products that feel comfortable, provide safety, and enhance human performance. Backpack and clothing design, child safety car seats, and running shoes are just some of the products that biomechanical engineers use their knowledge and creativity to design and test.
Agricultural engineers apply engineering technology and biological science to agriculture, and design agricultural machinery and equipment. Some specialties include: Power systems and machinery design Ensure crops receive proper amount of nutrients & water Design harvesting equipment Disposal methods for agricultural waste Structures and the environment Food and bioprocess engineering Agricultural engineers also develop ways to conserve soil and water, and to improve the processing of agricultural products. Geological engineers - Solves earth related technical problems while at the same time protecting the environment. Naval Architectural Engineering: Design the many different types of ships, boats, and equipment needed to operate in the ocean. (Both military & civilian applications) Engineering Science & Physics, engineers that bridge the gap between theoretical science and practical engineering applications. These types of engineer must have a strong fundamental understanding of engineering, mathematics, and scientific principles. Engineering Management: Administer technical projects and budgets by planning, organizing, allocating resources and directing activities that have a technological component. Architectural Engineering: Ensures that new buildings and bridges designs are structurally correct. They may work systems such as lighting, plumbing, and ventilation systems to determine the most cost-effective construction method for a project. Other Engineering Fields: Ceramic Engineering Fire Protection Engineering Ocean Engineering http://www.futuresinengineering.com/what.php?id=2 http://www.engineeringk12.org/