What Does An Engineer Do?
The word engineering usually makes us think of car mechanics or ‘engineering works’ which delay train journeys and cause traffic hold-ups on the roads. But find out what they really do...
In reality, engineering is a lot wider than this, covering everything from building and transport to cosmetics. Engineers were responsible for designing the Channel Tunnel rail link, and more recently for designing colour-matching technology to determine the best make-up for your skin tone.
Engineers work in all kinds of environments. Yes, some jobs do involve getting covered in oil, and wearing protective clothing, but engineering roles can take place in an office, in laboratories, or outdoors, in the air and underground. They influence every aspect of modern life and it’s likely that today alone you will have already depended on the expertise of one or more engineers. Have you taken the Tube? Maybe you’ve listened to an iPod? Or watched television? See, told you so.
Here are ten examples you might be interested in:
Sound and acoustics engineer
Sound systems are everywhere – in theatres, cinemas, train stations and of course at home. Without the impact of technology and the systems to deliver sound information, much of the entertainment business we know now would not exist. Sound and acoustics engineers are an essential part in delivering the creative vision of, for example, singers and songwriters. Acoustics engineers work with bands and artists to make sure that venues sound as good as possible. In theatre, the set, position of actors and the arrangement of the auditorium are all elements for the sound engineer
to consider.
 Aeronautical engineer
See the world and get paid to do it! An aeronautical engineer applies scientific and technological principles to research, design, maintain, test and develop the performance of civil and military aircraft, missiles, weapons systems, satellites and space vehicles. Aeronautical engineering offers a wide range of roles. Most engineers specialise in a particular area, such as research, design, testing, manufacture or maintenance. The aerospace industry is well established in the UK, and the steady expansion in air travel means that there are many roles available. But there are also the long hours, varied shifts and being away from home for prolonged periods of time to consider. If you shudder at the thought of a 9-5 job, then perhaps this is something for you!
Food engineer
You are what you eat, as the old saying goes. If you take into account the amount of money we spend on food, you can see that the food and drinks industry is big business. Finding out which flavours work, and which ingredients work well together is more than a matter of simply good cooking. Engineers are involved in the development and design of the processes and equipment that are used for making flavouring, colouring, packaging and distributing food and drink; all to provide the consumer with a fresh, tasty and good-looking product.
Lighting technician
Everyone has a favourite movie, or a theatre performance that sent shivers down your spine. But have you ever given any thought as to how a movie leaps from screenplay to screen? Perhaps you recall a theatre performance where the atmosphere and drama came together to create an unforgettable mood. Lighting technicians create that mood; the skill and expertise required in getting the ambiance just right can be as critical to the performance as the acting.
Bioinformatics engineer
What makes a human different to a banana? Quite a lot you might think, but given that we share in the region of 54 per cent of our DNA with bananas, the answer lies in the structure of our DNA. Mapping the DNA structure of bananas and humans has been made possible by the combination of traditional subjects like maths combined with modern computer technology. Because of this, the modelling and processing developed by computers has allowed us to map out what makes us human and design drugs to treat us when things go wrong.
Environmental engineer
The quality of the land, air and water around us is becoming increasingly important with the onset of climate change. Engineers are at the forefront of preserving our environment and ensuring that modern technology is kind to the environment. Being an environmental engineer might mean that you have a special interest in ecosystems and biology, or other branches of engineering like civil engineering. People who deal in public health matters may also be environmental engineers, helping to ensure that the environment is preserved for people as well as plants and animals.
Venture capitalist
Venture capitalists like to stick their money where their mouth is. Many start-up companies (or ones that need a cash boost to get themselves back on their feet) will look to venture capitalists to provide that investment which, although often high-risk, can provide above average returns. To do this, you will need to become an experienced financial analyst who can identify trends in the market and evaluate where it would be wise to place money – and where it would probably be a no-no. Understanding the potential of emerging technologies and industries – which engineers do – is a key skill, as is being good at maths to work out the best investment.
Marine engineer
If those landlubbers get on your nerves, why not escape to somewhere we know even less about than outer space… the oceans? Marine engineers design and develop the parts of the ship that most of us take for granted – the propulsion, drainage, lighting, waste disposal and air-conditioning systems that turn the raw materials into a functioning, safe and comfortable cruise ship.
Safety engineer
Safety engineers look after us all. They ensure that the buildings we use, the systems we rely on, the transportation we ride and the places we work are safe and not hazardous to our short or long-term health. They interpret risks and foresee problems with existing infrastructure to ensure that modifications and alterations conform to safety standards. If you’re the one who responsibly closes gates after walks in the countryside or tells your younger brother off for dropping those banana skins on the pavement, maybe this one is for you.
Special effects
Brace yourselves: Gollum isn’t real. The CGI effects and crucial technology that created magical moments in film have all been developed by software engineers. They develop the skills and abilities to make dreams (or nightmares) come alive. Without them, Hollywood today would look more like Laurel and Hardy than
Middle Earth. LS
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