What is engineering?
Engineering is all about problem solving. Engineers use science, maths (and a lot of creative thinking!) to design, test and create machines, structures and processes. They come up with innovative solutions to issues, helping to tackle some of the world's greatest challenges, such as climate change, poverty, cyber security problems and ill health.
There are lots of different types of engineering, including civil, mechanical, electrical and chemical. The different areas are interconnected, meaning you could draw on several types of engineering in a role, or work very closely with engineers from other disciplines.
Aerospace and aeronautical engineering
Aerospace engineers design, build and maintain aircrafts such as planes, spacecrafts and satellites. Their role combines aspects of both mechanical and electrical engineering.
Zuzanna: apprentice wing designer. video
Zuzanna's an apprentice wing designer, gaining a degree as part of her apprenticeship.
Balwant: aircraft engineer
Balwant is an aircraft engineer for British Airways.
Ben: aerospace engineer
Ben's the co-founder of a company called StratoBooster. They test space launch systems.
Civil and structural engineering
Civil and structural engineers design and oversee construction projects, such as bridges and buildings.
Kawsar: civil engineering apprentice. video
Kawsar's a civil engineering apprentice for Transport for London.
Sally: civil engineer technician
Sally works on a construction site at Manchester Airport.
Zoe: apprentice site engineer. video
Zoe's helping to build a London tube station.
Jasmine: apprentice engineer. video
Jasmine is an apprentice engineer on the HS2 rail link.
Aine: junior simulation engineer
Aine works to make buildings more energy efficient.
Electrical and electronic engineering
Electrical engineering (unsurprisingly!) is all about the generation, distribution, application and control of electrical energy. Electronic engineering is slightly different, focusing on developing and testing electronic components, devices and systems.
Ben: electrical instrumentation apprentice
Ben's training to be an electrical engineer.
Ciaran: ecobuilding technical apprentice
In his job as an ecobuilding technical apprentice, Ciaran fits electrical points and installs software on them.
Alice: trainee engineer
Alice works as a tendering engineer, putting bids together for engineering projects.
General engineering
General engineering refers to a subject you can choose to study at college or university. Rather than specialising in a certain branch of engineering straight away, it gives you the chance to get a basic introduction to the different areas before deciding which specialism might fit you best.
Jade: engineer
Jade does basic engineering during placements as an apprentice.
Marine engineering
"Marine" means something related to the sea, for example boats or coastguards. Marine engineers therefore work on sea-related projects, designing, building, testing and repairing boats, ships, underwater crafts, offshore platforms and drilling equipment.
Lawrence: naval architect
Lawrence is a freelance naval architect in Bristol.
Materials engineering
Materials engineers research the behaviour of different materials to make them as efficient and effective as possible. Sustainability is a key consideration in the role, making sure we are sourcing, using and reusing materials responsibly.
Alex: apprentice process engineer
Alex is an apprentice at a building materials company.
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering includes anything that moves, including human beings! Mechanical engineers develop and help improve mechanical components and systems. This can include a wide array of things, from artificial hearts to driverless cars.
Jack: mechanical engineer
Jack's a mechanical engineer in a timber mill.
Amy: Formula 1 engineer
Amy helps develop ways to make racing cars go faster.
Production and manufacturing engineering
Production engineers and manufacturing engineers are linked to the creation of products, aiming to find the most time and cost efficient ways to produce goods, helping reduce the environmental impact of production.
Rachael: apprentice technician. video
Rachael keeps the production line at the Jaffa Cake factory running.
Software engineering and computing
Software engineers design, build and test computer programmes, drawing on IT skills and maths.
Ekansh: software engineer
Ekansh writes code and liaises with people to solve problems with them.
Bode: software engineering apprentice
Bode's a software engineering apprentice on a youth engagement project.
Ben: senior systems engineer. video
Ben is a senior systems engineer at Shop Direct.
Sound
Sound engineers work with equipment in studios and live settings to ensure the best possible audio quality.
Tommy: audio engineer. video
Tommy combines a career in a band with a career as an audio engineer.
Raphael: sound engineer. video
Raphael works with artists including Stormzy, Hamzaa and Tinie Tempah.
Matilda: sound engineer video
Matilda's a sound engineer with the BBC Sound Unit.
What to expect if you want to be an engineer
- How many people work in the engineering sector?
- What can you earn in different roles?
- What routes can you take to get in?
- Is the demand for engineers expected to grow in the future?
Watch the film to find out the answers to these questions, and much more!
Other resources
- See what type of engineering role might suit you with the meet the future you quiz
- Find out more about the different areas of engineering with this guide from Tomorrow's Engineers
- Learn more about roles in engineering with the National Careers Service explore careers tool
- Discover a practical new way to study via T-levels (England-only).
Emma-Louise Have you ever had an idea for an invention, something you thought would make your life easier? If so, you've taken your first steps into engineering something.
Frankie As an engineer, you apply scientific principles to design and help create all sorts of things like buildings, aircrafts, or bras.
Emma-Louise Traditionally, engineering falls in four main categories: chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering. And, within each of these, there are more specific types of engineering disciplines.
Frankie There were nearly 870,000 engineers in the UK [in 2020], with an estimated 4% growth of just under 40,000 more jobs by 2025.
Emma-Louise You could consider roles such as electrical engineer, chemical engineer, mechanical engineer, nuclear engineer, or software engineer. For electrical engineers,
Frankie people who design, build and maintain electrical systems and equipment,
Emma-Louise there is an expected job growth of just under 1,600 jobs by 2025. As of 2020, the median salary was just over £50,000 per year.
Frankie For civil engineers,
Emma-Louise people who design and manage construction projects, anything from bridges to sports stadiums,
Frankie there's an expected growth of approximately 2,800 jobs by 2025, with a median salary of around £44,500.
Emma-Louise And for mechanical engineers,
Frankie people who develop and design machines that are used in various industries from construction to farming,
Emma-Louise there's an expected growth of just under 2,600 jobs by 2025, with a salary of around £42,000. If you've got a curious mind and love problem solving, engineering could be a good career path for you.
Frankie There are many ways into engineering. The first thing to figure out might be what kind of engineering you're interested in.
Emma-Louise You could consider apprenticeships that are relevant to that role, like a Level 6 Manufacturing Engineer or a Level 6 Electro-mechanical Engineer apprenticeship. These typically take between four and six years to complete.
Frankie Of course, there are also many university courses you could look into. Courses such as Electro-mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, or Aeronautical Engineering. You would usually need two or three A-levels or equivalent for these, and some of these courses will specify if you need particular A-levels, or the equivalent. Maths and Science subjects are sometimes required.
Emma-Louise There's now more choice as the new T-level qualification is available in England. These two-year courses are equivalent to three A-levels and involve 80% classroom learning and 20% industry placement.
Frankie You can also find out about courses accredited by professional engineering institutions from the Engineering Council.
Emma-Louise Engineers have valuable transferable skills that are handy for other job roles and everyday life, such as problem solving, critical thinking, and working through potential solutions.
Frankie If you've heard things in the past that have made you think engineering is not for you, it might be worth taking a deeper look. Engineers are working on some of the most exciting challenges we face, be it enhancing virtual reality or engineering better medicines. Let's hear from some professionals. Ben is an aerospace engineer. "I love interacting and working with people to find solutions to problems. I enjoy knowing that millions of people fly around the world every year on products that I have helped develop. There's a big push at the moment for more environmentally friendly solutions. Air travel is a massive contributor to global warming and so anything that the industry can do to reduce harmful gases being emitted will make a big impact."
Emma-LouiseDavid, an expert at the Institution of Engineering and Technology, says: "The most exciting thing about engineering and technology is that there will be roles in the next five to 10 years that don't exist yet. Artificial intelligence (AI), coding and ‘green jobs’ – those that work to combat climate change – will continue to evolve and be some of the most important roles within the sector in years to come. It's also really important that the engineering industry is inclusive and representative as engineers, design products and services for everyone."
Emma-Louise Engineering is creative, exciting and not to mention that it pays pretty well once you've worked your way up beyond junior roles. The median wage within the sector is over £41,000, compared to the median full-time salary in the UK which is around £28,500.
Frankie There's also particularly strong growth in software publishing and wireless communications.
Emma-Louise Engineering is also an industry where the gender mix isn't well balanced, although the research is unclear as to why.
Frankie The main shortfall here is engineers who identify as female. As of 2020, 88% of engineers identified as male. However, lots of employers are keen to change this, so there should be more and more opportunities coming up for engineers who identify as female.
Emma-Louise One thing that's for sure is that there are going to be lots of opportunities available in the engineering sector, with just under 40,000 new jobs expected by 2025. So, if this has piqued your interest, then it'll be worth doing some more research to see if this is right for you.
For careers advice in all parts of the UK visit: National Careers Service (England), nidirect (Northern Ireland), My World of Work (Scotland) and Careers Wales (Wales).
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