Engineering

You only need to tap the words ‘Engineering’ and ‘Career’ into Google to realise the size and strength of the engineering industry. While you may think roles just include the typical areas like civil engineering, mechanical engineering and electronic engineering, you’d be surprised at some of the other specialisms that you could go into and some of the areas of crossover.

Many find jobs based on their degree, but it’s becoming increasingly common for engineers to complete a master’s degree. Chartered engineers will need a masters or be able to demonstrate that they have gained the necessary knowledge from work experience. If you’re considering teaching at university level, a PhD is usually required. The ideal candidate will have a good balance between academic success and relevant work experience. 

Role of an institution

To begin with, membership of an engineering institution licensed by the Engineering Council UK (ECUK) is a first step to securing your professional standing in a variety of ways. According to the ECUK, registering with them as a Chartered Engineer, Incorporated Engineer or Engineering Technician brings the following benefits:

  • It identifies you as having competences that employers value
  • It indicates that your competence, and your commitment to professionalism, have been assessed by other engineering professionals
  • It demonstrates that your competence may be compared with standards applicable in other parts of the world
  • It confirms that your commitment to professionalism is underwritten by the support of a national engineering institution or society licensed by the Engineering Council UK

This in turn can help with work, pay, promotion, gaining respect and keeping abreast of new developments in the industry. There are 35 engineering bodies accredited by the ECUK. For more information visit www.engc.org.uk.

Depending on the route you take in to engineering you can achieve the status of Engineering Technician, Incorporated Engineer or Chartered Engineer. In general terms, chartered status is normally achieved through the academic route but it can also be achieved by progressing through the various states of accreditation. Institutions like the IET can offer more advice on this.

Other valuable sources of information and advice are recruitment exhibitions. This is a great opportunity to meet potential employers face to face, learn more about the industry and specific companies, as well as getting yourself noticed. 

The National Engineering and Construction Recruitment Exhibition is the largest event of its kind in the UK, offering invaluable careers advice and vacancies for all engineering and construction professionals, from recent graduate positions to high level skilled professionals. 

Graduates with more rounded skill sets, such as strong communication skills and team working skills will find their employability increase. Employers want to see candidates who have more than the obvious engineering skills of an investigative mind and problem solving capabilities. They also want to see computer software and organisational skills. 

Those with project management skills or languages are in great demand; recent news reports show employers have spoken out about their need for candidates who show and understanding of the language of business awareness, or have foreign language skills to enable work on international projects.

IET Working for you

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is one of the world’s leading professional societies for the engineering and technology community

Students and professionals at the start of their engineering and technology careers are given recognition and support via awards which include undergraduate and postgraduate engineering and IT scholarships to provide financial support for students.

 

Key articles for engineering graduates

Recruiters in this sector:

Abellio

​​Every day in the UK over 16,400, Abellio people provide safe, easy and reliable public transport for more than a million passengers on our services.

Apollo Fire Detectors

Apollo Fire Detectors specialises in the design and manufacture of high quality fire detection products. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, Apollo has regional offices in the USA, Germany, China, India and the Middle East.

Arcadis

Wherever you work, whatever you do, at Arcadis you’ll have the chance to improve quality of life. It’s why we focus on attracting people who bring their all, value new perspectives and seize the opportunity to transform their world – and the world around them.

Avara Foods

Avara Foods is one of the UK’s leading food businesses supplying great tasting chicken, turkey and duck products to some of the biggest supermarkets and restaurants in the country.

BAE Systems

At BAE Systems, we provide some of the world's most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions.

Bentley

Bentley is a unique place to work, with its own special culture and people who are all driven by the same ideal

BOSCH

A global leader in technology and services.

Boss Professional Services

Boss Professional Services Ltd are an established recruitment consultancy based in Oval, London.

British Airways

Graduates in British Airways have made such a difference to our business; it's no wonder we're looking for more.

Clyde Marine Training

For over 30 years Clyde Marine Training has been the first choice for those looking to pursue Merchant Navy careers, and we are recognised as the UK’s largest maritime training company

Colas Rail

Colas Rail is one of Europe's leading suppliers of railway infrastructure services.

Department for Transport

The Department for Transport is an important component to the UK's infrastructure, as it is vital for economic growth and prosperity

Diamond Build Plc

Diamond Build Plc was founded in 1979 and has an excellent reputation for the delivery of social housing, education, public buildings and healthcare sector workers.

Dorset Software

Based on the sunny south coast in Poole, Dorset Software is all about employee and customer satisfaction. Benefiting from over 29 years of experience, we are experts in understanding our clients’ needs and always work closely with them to devise and deliver the most appropriate solution for each project.

ETL Systems

ETL Systems is a global engineering company that design and manufacture Radio Frequency (RF) equipment for the satellite communications industry.

FDM Group

FDM Group is an award-winning company and the market leader in the Recruit, Train and Deploy industry.

Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies

We are a world leading cGMP Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) supporting our partners in the biopharmaceutical industry with the development and production of their biologic, vaccines and advanced therapies.

Heathrow

Heathrow Airport is a city within a city. Joining us is a chance to build your career in an organisation that matters to millions.

High Speed Two (HS2)

HS2 will be the nation's new high-speed rail network, connecting North and South. But it's much more than just a railway.

Highways England

The country never stops, so neither do we. We’re responsible for operating, maintaining and improving all 4,300 miles of England’s motorways and major roads, and we're aiming high for the future.

Hilti

In The Times Top 100 companies to work for, Hiliti develops, manufactures and markets quality products for customers in the construction industry

IMI

IMI plc, the specialist engineering company, designs, manufactures and services highly engineered products that control the precise movement of fluids. Its innovative technologies, built around valves and actuators, enable vital processes to operate safely, cleanly, efficiently and cost effectively.

KBR

KBR provide consulting, technology, engineering, and construction solutions for a wide range of markets, from aerospace and defence to energy and chemicals to intelligence and beyond.

MBDA

As prime complex weapons contractor to the UK MoD, MBDA design and manufacture some of the most sophisticated technology for our armed forces. We are a multinational group with over 10,000 employees worldwide and offer a variety of opportunities in engineering and business.

Method Consulting

Method Consulting is a specialist engineering and sustainability consultancy focusing on building services and sustainability in the built environment – our common goal is to reduce the environmental impact of buildings through better design, analysis and assessment.

MHI Vestas

Established in April 2014, we are a joint venture between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Vestas Wind Systems A/S (Vestas). Our parent companies are two of the global leaders in wind and energy, inspiring and leading us forward.

Network Rail

We're looking for dedicated, enthusiastic graduates to become future leaders.

Ofcom

Ofcom is the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries.

Prysmian Group

Prysmian Group is world leader in the energy and telecom cables and systems industry.

Raytheon UK

Raytheon Company, with 2013 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specialising in defence, security and civil markets throughout the world.

Royal Air Force

Whether in the skies above Britain, or in airspaces around the world, it's our job to protect the United Kingdom against any form of threat.

Schneider Electric

As the global specialist in energy management and automation, we create connected technologies that reshape industries, transform cities and enrich lives.

Solid Mechanics Research Group - University of Bristol

SMRG at Bristol has a successful history of using applied mechanics and cutting-edge technology to help define and solve industrially-motivated problems.

Stadler Rail

Stadler Rail Service (SRS) UK is a subsidiary of Stadler Service AG, Switzerland. SRS UK provides a train maintenance service for a growing number of clients in the UK.

The Army

Joining the British Army, you'll get much more from life than you ever would with a civilian career.

The London Taxi Company

The London Taxi Company is the leading global manufacturer and retailer of fully accessible, purpose-built London Taxis.

Triumph Motorcycles

Triumph is the original British motorcycling company, it is a business that is famous for building iconic motorcycles, from the original Bonneville to the current Rocket, the unstoppable Tiger Explorer and the incredible Speed Triple.

UK Power Reserve

UK Power Reserve is a leading provider of secure, flexible and low carbon services to the UK electricity market.

Vodafone

We have extensive experience in connectivity, convergence and the Internet of Things, as well as championing mobile financial services and digital transformation in emerging markets.