Career Options in the Engineering Field

If you have decided that you like the idea of becoming an engineer, then you have made an excellent choice. Not only does the field of engineering pay a great salary, but there are tons of options along this career path. Below are just a few options in the field of engineering:

Aerospace Engineers

These engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and testing aircraft as well as spacecraft and missiles. They help develop and supervise manufacturing of technologies which are used for aviation, space engineering, defense, and space exploration.

Agriculture Engineers

Engineers in this field use their knowledge of science, engineering, and technology to manufacture a more efficient use of agricultural resources. They can be responsible for designing machinery, equipment as well as processes and structures for use in the agriculture industry. Agricultural engineers can also work in production, sales, research, and development or even management.

Civil Engineers

Civil engineers help to design and oversee the installation of infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water supply, and sewage systems. This is one of the oldest fields of engineering and contains many specialties. Civil engineers can hold positions with municipalities, cities, and even at the federal level, or they can work for private companies and even hold teaching positions.

Electrical Engineers

These engineers are in charge of designing, developing, and testing electrical equipment, such as motors, lighting, wiring, automobiles, and aircraft. Electrical engineers focus on generation and supply of power, while electronics engineers work on the components that process and control electricity. Usually electrical engineers work on power systems or electrical equipment.

Electronics Engineers

Engineers in electronics focus on a huge range of technology, which can range anywhere from the smallest conductor inside of a hearing aid to huge broadcast equipment. In this field engineers can specialize in communications, control systems, or can specialize further into a specific field like aviation electronics.

Environmental Engineers

In this important field engineers develop key solutions to environmental issues using their expertise in biology and chemistry. They can be involved in areas such as water management, air pollution control, recycling, and waste disposal and public health. Environmental engineers may focus on local or worldwide issues and conduct research on the impact of their proposed projects. They can work with many levels of industry and even be independent contractors for hire.

Industrial Engineers

These types of engineers work to take the raw ingredients of production and use it to figure out how to make the most efficient use of each component. Their primary focus is to increase productivity and efficiency by studying the system and applying mathematical concepts. They can also work on building a better model for physical delivery of product and can even be called upon to determine the best location for a plant or factory.

Mechanical Engineers

In this field engineers are in charge of developing, researching, and designing engines, machines, and other devices. This is a very broad field that can result in a focus on generators, combustion engines, and turbines as well as air-conditioning equipment, elevators, or escalators and robots used for manufacturing. Mechanical engineers can also be responsible for creating the tools that other engineers use for their work.

Nuclear Engineers

Nuclear engineers get to research and develop systems and instruments which are used to create, harness, and store nuclear energy. They can work on the components of the nuclear fuel creation cycle, the handling and use of nuclear fuel, as well as the disposal of waste product. Sometimes they will specialize in certain areas of nuclear energy, such as systems used on naval vessels or spacecraft.

Published: 2009-11-02