An engineering career is incredibly rewarding, as you'll get to investigate technical problems while improving the technology you're working on. Discover five exciting engineering careers that require graduates with plenty of imagination
Why choose to work in engineering?
Engineering is considered one of the country's broadest sectors. It produces most of the UK's exports and brings many global products and services to life.
Engineers play a crucial part in:
- the success of major infrastructure projects
- developments in nanomedicine
- ensuring the safety and efficiency of all forms of transport
- the availability of fast broadband
- developing sustainable solutions for future food, water, housing and energy needs
- protecting individuals and organisations from cyber-attacks.
If you want to work at the forefront of global development, discover how to become an engineer and explore relevant engineering courses.
What about engineering and technology?
When combined, the technology and engineering industry accounts for around a fifth (20%) of all UK employment.
'Engineering and technology careers are increasingly in demand, reflecting their central role in shaping the UK's future,' says Dr Graham Herries, chair of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Digital Futures Policy Centre.
'From infrastructure and energy to digital systems and emerging technologies, engineering underpins almost every sector. This influence will only grow as the UK advances towards greater digitalisation and works to meet its climate targets.'
This means that for students and graduates, there has rarely been a more opportune time to enter the profession. Dr Herries adds, 'Engineers are essential in turning ambitious goals into practical, real-world solutions that drive progress and innovation.'
Consider these five exciting engineering and tech careers that have the potential to shape our future and make a real difference in our lives. Find out how to get into these fields and the specialist courses that can further develop your knowledge and understanding.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics engineering
Transforming the relationship between people and technology, AI allows machines to sense, comprehend, act and learn. From voice recognition and virtual assistants to self-driving cars and pet-bots, AI is one of the fastest-growing technologies.
It will transform roles across all industries, but nowhere more so than in engineering. It's predicted that many low-level engineering tasks will eventually become automated. However, engineers needn't worry that AI will take their jobs. Instead, it will open up exciting new industries, such as robotics engineering.
The branch of engineering known as mechatronics connects:
Relevant postgraduate courses to consider include:
- MSc (PGCert PGDip) Artificial Intelligence and Robotics - University of Brighton
- MSc Creative Robotics - University of the Arts London (UAL)
- MSc Robotics - Cranfield University
- MSc Robotics and Artificial Intelligence - University College London (UCL).
In robotics, engineers design and build machines and systems capable of performing tasks that humans are unable or unwilling to perform. They most commonly work in industries such as:
- aerospace
- manufacturing
- medicine.
You could progress to become a lead engineer or specialise in a particular area, such as space exploration or surgical instruments.
Robotics engineers must be inquisitive, analytical, and methodical when:
- designing, building, and testing prototypes
- fixing faults
- writing technical reports.
Explore the role of a machine learning engineer.
You can also discover how to get started in health informatics or jobs involving AI.
Entertainment engineering
Using their skill and ingenuity, entertainment engineers work behind the scenes to design, create and install scenic, structural and mechanical systems for everything from concert stages and theatre halls to theme parks and movie sets.
Explore careers in related sectors, including:
Engineers need to combine impressive visuals and a fun consumer experience with safety when working in the field.
A degree is often essential. Some institutions provide entertainment engineering-related Bachelor programmes, such as the BSc Sound, Light and Live Event Engineering at the University of Derby.
Related subjects include mechanical or structural engineering. Find out what mechanical engineering graduates go on to do.
In addition to a degree, you'll need:
- creativity
- the ability to problem-solve
- excellent communication and teamwork skills
- the ability to multitask.
Disaster recovery
When disaster strikes, engineers find and rescue people using equipment such as telescopic lenses, drones and radar devices that detect victims' heartbeats. They even use cockroaches fitted with microphones to detect sounds underneath the rubble.
Disaster recovery engineers can provide:
- immediate shelter
- transport networks
- emergency water and sanitation services to prevent disease outbreaks.
Engineers in this field are often critical for delivering humanitarian relief. They are responsible for restoring electricity and communications and helping people rebuild their lives through medical innovations.
The design, development, and improvement of warning and detection systems also help reduce the impact of future disasters.
If you're exploring studying a Masters in the subject, there's the:
- MSc Crisis and Disaster Management - University of Portsmouth
- MSc Disaster Management - Bournemouth University
- MSc International Disaster Management - The University of Manchester
- MSc Risk, Disaster and Resilience - UCL.
Read more about why you should study disaster management.
Cloud engineering
As an ever-increasing number of people and organisations use cloud computing, there's a rising demand for cloud engineers - IT professionals responsible for the technical aspects of cloud computing, including designing, planning, managing, and maintaining these systems, as well as supporting users.
A cloud engineer is usually an umbrella term covering a number of different roles, such as:
- cloud architects
- cloud security engineers
- cloud software engineers
- cloud systems engineers.
Each job focuses on a different area of cloud computing rather than the technology as a whole.
To develop your skills with a specialist Masters, you could study the:
- MSc Cloud and Enterprise Computing - Nottingham Trent University
- MSc Cloud Computing - Newcastle University
- MSc Software Engineering with Cloud Computing - City St George's, University of London.
Get the lowdown on IT courses and the role of a software engineer.
Forensic engineering
Accidents and failures of products, systems, and structures happen, and when they do, forensic engineers investigate why. They do this by conducting inspections, surveys, and witness interviews.
They also test and analyse the product or structure through experiments, produce written reports, and sometimes provide evidence in court.
They investigate a range of diverse incidents, including:
- bridge collapses
- manufacturing equipment breakdowns
- medical product failure
- rail accidents.
Other interesting engineering fields
Want more ideas? Take a more in-depth look at the following careers:
- 3D printing engineering
- augmented reality (AR) engineering
- biomedical engineering
- nuclear engineering - see nuclear engineering courses
- pyrotechnic engineering
- renewable energy engineering - see renewable energy careers
- sports engineering.
Find out more
- Explore graduate engineering jobs.
- Read about engineering graduate schemes.
- Discover the opportunities for women in engineering.