Engineering Jobs - What Are They and How to Get One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

Engineering jobs encompass a range of positions in a variety of technical fields, including mechanical, chemical, electrical, aeronautic, and civil engineering. Some engineering jobs are in research and design, while others focus on the construction and manufacturing industry. In this career, you need a mix of design, project management, and research skills. You can work in numerous industries, including construction, manufacturing, agriculture, medical, aviation, and natural resource extraction. Some jobs are based primarily in an office or lab setting, while others require you to travel to field sites to make surveys and assessments.

For any engineering job, you need at least a bachelor’s degree in an engineering field. The specific qualifications depend significantly on the type of engineering you are interested in pursuing. For example, if you are interested in working in the medical field, you need a Bachelor of Science degree in biomedical engineering or a closely related field. In this field, many employers prefer candidates with a master’s degree, as the science and technology involved are highly advanced. For those who are interested in construction or civil engineering, you need to pursue a degree in those areas. A master’s degree can help in these fields, but they are not as common. In addition to your education, most engineering fields have professional organizations that administer certification and licensing programs.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most engineering jobs are in demand, and that demand is projected to continue. The only fields that are predicted to see negative job growth are in nuclear, aerospace, and electronics engineering, with the exception of computer engineering. The BLS projects that some engineering jobs, such as those in petroleum, environmental, and biomedical engineer are likely to have significant demand. Many other engineering fields, such as civil engineering and computer engineering are growing as well.

Computer engineering jobs are different insofar as they combine computer programming or computer science skills with electrical engineering practices. In this career, you are responsible for developing new computer products or finding solutions to current problems in the field. You need a solid grasp of engineering principles as well as excellent command of computer programming. This is a highly technical job. Your job is to ensure that the hardware and software aspects of technology are compatible.