Product design and development engineers conceive engineering designs from product ideas or requirements in mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering.
Responsibilities
Throughout your apprenticeship, you may help:
- use mathematical modelling to research new developments and innovations
- design technical plans for prototypes
- use computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-assisted engineering (CAE) software
- collect and analyse data from prototype testing
- modify product designs ahead of manufacture or installation
- write and present reports to project managers and clients.
Salary
- Starting salaries for an apprentice is £24,000 per year.
- Experienced product design and development engineers can earn up to £50,000 per year.
Working hours
You will typically work 38 to 40 hours per week working between 8am and 6pm.
Working environment
You could work in an office or in a workshop.
Qualifications
Qualifications you can achieve as an apprentice product design and development engineer include:
- Level 6 Product Design and Development Engineer – Entry requirements for this level include 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship. This qualification will take 60 months to complete.
Skills
On a product design and development apprenticeship, you’ll learn:
- design skills and knowledge
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- complex problem-solving skills
- persistence and determination
- maths skills
- the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently.
Career path and progression
Your design skills may be used in several fields, including building, biomedical engineering, electronics, and renewable energy.
You may further your career by becoming an incorporated or chartered engineer and joining a professional industry group.