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Job Report Engineerss
Nature of the work
Engineers apply the theories and principles of science and mathematics to the
economical solution of practical technical problems. Often their work is the link between
a scientific discovery and its application. Engineers design machinery, products
systems, and processes for efficient and economical performance. They develop
electric power, water supply, and waste disposal systems. They design industrial
machinery and equipment for manufacturing goods, and heating, air-conditioning, and
ventilation equipment for more comfortable living. Engineers also develop scientific
equipment to probe outer space and the ocean depths; design defense and weapons
systems for the Armed forces; and design, plan, and supervise the construction of
buildings, highways, and rapid transit systems. They also design and develop consumer
products such as automobiles, home appliances, electronic home entertainment
equipment, and systems for control and automation of manufacturing, business, and
management processes.
Engineers must consider many factors in developing a new product. For
example, in developing an industrial robot, engineers must determine the general way it
will work, design, and test all components, and fit them together in an integrated plan.
They must then evaluate its overall effectiveness, cost, reliability, and safety. This
process applies to products as different as lawnmowers, computers, military weapons,
and toys.
In addition to design and development, many engineers work in testing,
production, operations, or maintenance. They supervise production processes in
factories, determine the causes of breakdowns and test newly manufactured products to
maintain quality. They also estimate the time and cost to complete projects. Some work
in engineering administration and management, or in sales where an engineering
background enables them to discuss the technical aspects of a product and assist in
planning its installation or use. Some engineers work as consultants.
Most engineers specialize; more than 25 major specialties are recognized by
professional societies. Within the major branches are numerous subdivisions.
Structural, hydraulic, and highway engineering, for example, are subdivisions of civil
engineering. Engineers also may specialize in one industry, such as motor vehicles, or
in one field of technology, such as propulsion or guidance systems.
Engineers in each branch apply their knowledge to many fields. Electrical
engineers, for example, work in the medical, computer, missile guidance, or power
distribution fields. Because complex problems cut across traditional fields, engineers in
one field often work closely with specialists in scientific, other engineering, and business
occupations.
Often using calculators and computers to solve mathematical equations which
describe how a machine, structure, or system operates, many engineers also use
computer-aided design systems to produce and analyze designs. They also spend a
great deal of time writing reports and consulting with other engineers. Complex projects
require many engineers, each working with a small part of the job. Supervisory
engineers are responsible for entire projects.
Working Conditions
Some engineers are at a desk in an office building almost all of the time but
others work in research laboratories, industrial plants, or construction sites where they
inspect, supervise, or solve on-site problems. Engineers in specialties such as civil
engineering may work outdoors part of the time. A few engineers travel extensively to
plants or construction sites.
Employment
Engineering is the second largest profession, exceeded only by teaching. In
1990, engineers held over 1.5 million jobs. Over one-half of all engineering jobs were
located in manufacturing industries--mostly in electrical and electronic equipment,
machinery, aircraft and parts, scientific instruments, chemicals, motor vehicles,
fabricated metal products, and primary metals industries. In 1990, 485,000 jobs were in
non-manufacturing industries, primarily in engineering and architectural services,
business and management consulting services, communications and utilities, and
construction.
Federal, State, and local governments employed about 160,000 engineers. Over
half of the jobs were in the Federal Government, mainly in the Departments of Defense,
Transportation, Agriculture, Interior, and Energy, and in the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration. Most engineers in State and local government agencies worked
in highway and public works departments.
Besides the jobs described above, about 48,000 persons held engineering faculty
positions in colleges and universities in 1990.
Engineers are employed in every State, in small and large cities, and in rural
areas. Some branches of engineering are concentrated in particular industries and
geographic areas.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
A bachelor's degree in engineering is generally acceptable for beginning
engineering jobs. College graduates with a degree in science or mathematics and
experienced technicians may also qualify for some jobs.
Many 2- or 4-year college programs in engineering technology prepare students
for practical design and production work rather than for jobs that require more theoretical
scientific and mathematical knowledge. Graduates of such 4-year technology programs
may get jobs similar to those obtained by graduates with a bachelor's degree in
engineering. However, some employers regard them as having skills between those of
a technician and an engineer.
Graduate training is essential for engineering faculty positions but is not needed
for the majority of entry level engineering jobs. Many engineers obtain a master's
degree however, because it often is desirable for learning new technology or for
promotion.
About 260 colleges and universities offer a bachelor's degree in engineering, and
over 90 colleges offer a bachelor's degree in engineering technology. Although most
institutions offer programs in the larger branches of engineering, only a few offer some
of the smaller specialties. Also, course offerings of the same title may vary. For
example, one chemical engineering program could emphasize industrial practices,
preparing the student for a job in industry, while another could be more theoretical, a
better choice for the student preparing to take graduate work. Therefore, students
should investigate curriculums carefully before selecting a college. Admissions
requirements for undergraduate engineering schools usually include courses in
advanced high school mathematics and the physical sciences.
In a typical 4-year curriculum, the first 2 years are spent studying basic sciences--
mathematics, physics, chemistry--and introductory engineering and the humanities,
social sciences, and English. In the last 2 years, most courses are in engineering,
usually with a concentration in one branch of engineering. Some programs offer a
general engineering curriculum; students then specialize in graduate school or on the
job.
Some engineering schools and 2-year colleges have entered into agreements
whereby the 2-year college provides the initial engineering education and the
engineering school automatically admits students for their last 2 years. In addition,
some engineering schools have arrangements whereby a student spends 3 years in a
liberal arts college studying pre-engineering subjects and 2 years in the engineering
school and receives a bachelor's degree from each. Some colleges and universities
offer 5-year master's degree programs.
Some 5- or even 6-year cooperative plans combine classroom study and
practical work experience. In this way, in addition to gaining useful experience, students
can fiance part of their education. To keep up with rapid advances in technology, most
engineers must continue their education throughout their careers.
All 50 States and the District of Columbia require licensing for engineers whose
work may affect life, health, or property, or who offer their services to the public. In
1984, almost 500,000 engineers were registered. Registration generally requires a
degree from an accredited engineering program, 4 years of relevant work experience,
and passing a State examination. Some States will not register those with degrees in
engineering technology.
Beginning engineering graduates usually do routine work under the close
supervision of experienced engineers and, in larger companies, may also receive formal
classroom or seminar-type training. As they gain knowledge and experience, they are
assigned more difficult tasks with greater independence to develop designs, solve
problems, and make decisions. Engineers may become technical specialists or may
supervise a staff or team of engineers and technicians. Some eventually become
managers or administrators within engineering; others leave engineering for
nontechnical managerial, administrative, or sales jobs. Some engineers obtain graduate
degrees in business administration to improve advancement opportunities; others obtain
law degrees and become patent attorneys. Many high level executives in government
and industry began their careers as engineers.
Engineers should be able to work as part of a team and should have creativity, an
analytical mind, and a capacity for detail. In addition, engineers should be able to
express themselves well--both orally and in writing.
Job Outlook
Employment opportunities for those with degrees in engineering are expected to
be good through the 1990's. In addition, there may be some opportunities for college
graduates from related fields in certain engineering jobs.
Employment of engineers is expected to increase much faster than the average
for all occupations through the 1990's. Although only a relatively small proportion of
engineers leave the profession each year, most job openings will arise from replacement
needs. Most replacement openings are created by engineers who transfer to
management, sales, or other professional occupations rather than by engineers who
leave the labor force.
Much of the projected growth in requirements for engineers will stem from the
expected higher levels of investment in industrial plant and equipment to meet the
demand for more goods and services and to increase productivity. More engineers also
will be needed to develop and manufacture defense-related products and to improve
transportation facilities. Competitive pressures and advancing technology will force
companies to improve and update product designs more rapidly than in the past, further
adding to requirements.
Most industries are less likely to lay off engineers than other workers. Many
engineers work on long-term research and development projects or in other activities
which often continue even during recessions. However, in industries such as electronics
and aerospace, large cutbacks in defense or research and development expenditures
may result in layoffs for engineers.
New computer-aided design systems enable an engineer to produce or modify a
design much more rapidly than previously. This increased productivity might result in
decreased employment opportunities for engineers doing most of these routine tasks.
However, most of these systems have been used to improve the design process by
allowing many more design variations to be produced and analyzed. Therefore this
technology is not expected to affect employment growth significantly.
It is important for engineers to continue their education throughout their careers
because their value to their employer depends on their knowledge of the latest
technology. The pace of technological change varies by engineering specialty and
industry. Engineers in high-technology areas such as advanced electronics or
aerospace may find that their knowledge becomes obsolete rapidly. Even engineers
who continue their education are vulnerable to obsolescence if the particular technology
or product they have specialized in becomes obsolete. Engineers whom employers
consider not to have kept up may find themselves passed over for promotions and are
particularly vulnerable to layoffs. However, it is often these high-technology areas that
offer the greatest challenges, the most interesting work, and the highest salaries.
Therefore, the choice of engineering specialty and employer involves an assessment not
only of the potential rewards but also of the risk of technological obsolescence later in
one's career.
Despite these problems, over the long run the number of people seeking jobs as
engineers is expected to about equal the number of job openings.
Earnings
Starting salaries for engineers with the bachelor's degree are significantly higher
than starting salaries of college graduates in other fields. According to the College
Placement Council, engineering graduates with a bachelor's degree and no experience
averaged about $30,740 a year in private industry in 1990; those with a master's degree
and no experience, $36,500 a year; and those with a Ph.D., $47,100. Starting offers for
those with the bachelor's degree vary by branch, as shown in the following tabulation.
Petroleum engineering..............$36,000
Chemical engineering............... 32,900
Electrical engineering............. 32,200
Mechanical engineering............. 30,740
Metallurgical Engineering.......... 30,740
Aeronautical engineering........... 30,740
Nuclear engineering................ 30,210
Industrial engineering............. 31,270
Engineering technology............. 28,620
Mining engineering................. 28,100
Civil engineering.................. 27.100
As shown in the following tabulation, engineers in private industry in 1990
averaged $29,500 at the most junior level, and $83,963 at senior managerial levels.
Experienced mid-level engineers with no supervisory responsibilities averaged $45,238.
(See table 2.)
Table 2. Engineers; salaries in private industry by work level, 1990.
level Percent Average
of all salary
engineers
Engineers I......... 6.8 $31,000
Engineers II........ 12.0 34,980
Engineers III....... 24.4 38,100
Engineers IV........ 26.4 48,760
Engineers V......... 18.8 55,650
Engineers VI........ 8.8 64,100
Engineers VII....... 2.3 74,700
Engineers VIII...... 0.5 85,860
In the Federal Government in 1990, most engineers with a bachelor's degree and
no experience could start at $20,670 or $25,900 a year, depending on their college
records. Those with a master's degree could start at $28,600, and those having a Ph.D.
degree could begin at $30,740. The average salary for engineers in the Federal
Government was about $41,870 in 1990.
Related Occupations
Engineers apply the principles of physical science and mathematics in their work.
Other occupations which also use scientific and mathematical principles are physical
scientists, life scientists, mathematicians, engineering and science technicians, and
architects.
Sources of Additional Information
General information on engineering careers--including engineering school
requirements, courses of study, and salaries--is available from:
JETS, Inc., 345 E. 47th St., New York, N.Y. 10017.
Society of Women Engineers, 345 E. 47th St., New York, N.Y. 10017.
National Society of Professional Engineers, 1420 King St., Alexandria, VA
22314.
A list of accredited engineering programs may be obtained from:
The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, 345 E. 47th St.,
New York, N.Y. 10017.
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