What is needed to start a career in Mechanical Design Engineering?

Every path needs that one qualification, piece of work experience or apprenticeship that kick starts your career. And that's no different for any branch of engineering, perhaps it is even more important when you start to look at the more high end, extremely specific engineering roles. In this article, we’re going to look at how you can kick start an engineering career right now.

The early stages

Becoming an engineer starts as early as your GCSEs, but you might not realise it. To become an engineer, A-Levels in Physics and Mechanical Mathematics are essential and can be combined with Chemistry, Design Technology and a variety of other courses depending on which type of engineer you wish to become. Because you need these A-Levels, good grades in Maths, Physics and English at GCSE are required. Subjects like Design Technology, Computer Science and Digital Technology would also be beneficial.

University, or apprenticeship?

Once you’ve put in the hard work at school or college, you then have the choice of either university or an apprenticeship, so let's break it down. 

Universities across the UK, and indeed the world, offer a wide range of quality Engineering degrees. A degree in a field of engineering, preferably one specific to the role you want, is almost a necessity when it comes to getting the job you want. The degree that would benefit someone aiming to become a mechanical design engineer would either be general engineering, which allows you to study most elements of engineering in a slightly broader course, or manufacturing and production engineering. Some of the universities in the UK that offer these courses are the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford and Bristol University.

As well as gaining a bachelor's in engineering, some roles may insist on or even require a master's in engineering. Master’s degrees are useful for niche roles that require a deeper level of knowledge on the subject, with some larger companies offering bursaries for employees to complete these courses. As well as this, an MEng degree is required if you aim to become a Chartered Engineer.

On the other hand, apprenticeships are a good way of gaining industry-recognised qualifications whilst working at the same time. Major companies offer engineering apprenticeships, such as Gatwick Airport, National Rail and the Royal Air Force. Some companies prefer this route, as it allows them to fully train you and develop your skills and career within the organisation. Some companies will also fund university studies. P&O, for example, offers an “apprenticeship” which is more of a university course, involving studies during term time and work where you apply the skills you have learned during the summer.

Work Experience

Work experience, no matter the career path is essential. You wouldn’t even get an interview for a position if you didn’t have any. That's why it is important to make sure you get some high quality, relevant work experience. The best way to get this is through internships and work placements, which are often offered by large companies and are even part of some university courses. Some of the more notable companies that offer such experience are EDF Energy, Rolls Royce and BAE Systems.