Engineering careers vary significantly. The distinctions between each branch of engineering prove that the term “engineer” means different things in different contexts. While some engineers battle with manufacturing woes, others are responsible for things like road construction and food processing. Austin Nichols Technical Search is a recruiting firm that works to place engineers in five fields in jobs. Here are five different types of engineering jobs explained.
1. Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineers are responsible for designing and manufacturing products and machines. Mechanical engineering is one of the most diverse branches of engineering. In fact, mechanical engineers have been responsible for creating things from spacecraft to microscale sensors and car parts.
As with all engineering fields, mechanical engineering requires problem-solving abilities to help develop and design some of the most important pieces of machinery we all use. Additionally, mechanical engineers rely on their creativity and analytical skills to bring a product from just an idea to reality.
Disciplines within the mechanical engineering field include aerospace, automotive, computer-aided design (CAD), robotics, nanotechnology, and more.
2. Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineering is centered around electric-powered technology. These engineers work on electrical components, devices, and systems. Projects could include tiny pieces like microchips or involve huge power station generators. Electrical engineers can be credited with feats such as inventing the radio, television, induction motor, and more. None of these iconic items would be available without electrical engineers. One of the most famous electrical engineers is Thomas Edison, who is credited with inventing the electric light bulb. Today, electrical engineering includes branches like power generation, batteries, electronics, and motors.
On a day to day basis, engineers are responsible for designing and developing electrical equipment and then testing and supervising the production of these items.
3. Industrial Engineering
Industrial engineers use a combination of science, mathematics, and engineering methods to design equipment, buildings, information systems, and more. These engineers also help run businesses by determining how many workers are needed for a project, how long the project will take, and the process involved in a project. Unlike many other engineering disciplines, industrial engineers are qualified to work in nearly any industry. For example, industrial engineers work in healthcare, finance, entertainment, technology, manufacturing, and more.
4. Chemical Engineering
If you have an interest in physics and microbiology, chemical engineering could be for you. Chemical engineers use a combination of engineering and science to aid in the processing of food, create industrial chemicals, and make pharmaceuticals. Chemical engineers are in high demand due to the wide variety of industries that rely on the products these engineers make.
5. Civil Engineering
Civil engineering is one of the most recognizable of the engineering professions. In fact, it is also one of the oldest types of engineering in the world. Civil engineers are responsible for city and country infrastructure. For example, civil engineers have created roads, bridges, dams, and buildings. Basically, without civil engineers, cities, as we understand them, wouldn’t exist. Everything from water usage to subway construction has been touched by a civil engineer at some point in time.
Often, people get a bit confused about the different types of engineers. This is understandable since so many of these disciplines work together or seemingly overlap. For engineers, however, the distinction between the kinds of engineers is important—especially when it comes to looking for a job.
If you are an engineer looking for a job in Kansas City, Austin Nichols can help. We help companies and engineers in these disciplines find each other. To learn about potential job opportunities in these fields, give us a call today at 816-471-5575.
