What Is a Part Time Engineer and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

Part-time engineers develop and monitor the construction of the functional aspects of a product, structure, or system for their company or client. Unlike full-time engineers, part-time engineers typically work thirty hours or less a week. Specific job duties vary, depending on their specific engineering industry. For example, civil engineers design, construct, and maintain large infrastructure projects for municipalities and other agencies, such as bridges, highways, and airports. As the structures wear down, civil engineers reevaluate the needs of the area and may redesign the current structure or create a new system. Electrical engineers draft plans for electrical systems. Once the systems are created and installed, electrical engineers may also be responsible for maintaining the system to ensure it continues to run efficiently.

Part-time engineers need to follow the same educational path as full-time engineers. To become a part-time engineer, complete a bachelor's degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering (ABET) in the engineering field you wish to pursue. Your specific major should focus on the field in which you wish to work. For example, to become a mechanical engineer, you need a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Many engineers also have a master's degree or a doctorate; some positions require candidates to hold higher degrees, such as management jobs, research supervisors, and roles in academia. Certification is not required for most positions, but becoming certified may make you more competitive in the job market.