Types of engineers (from BLS.gov: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/home.htm)
What they do
Where they work
Industrial
engineers
Industrial engineers find ways to eliminate wastefulness in
production processes. They devise efficient ways to use
workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to
make a product or provide a service.
Depending on their tasks, industrial
engineers work both in offices and in the
settings they are trying to improve. For
example, when observing problems,
they may watch workers on a factory
floor or staff in a hospital. When solving
problems, they may be in an office at a
computer looking at data that they or
others have collected.
Biomedical
engineers
Biomedical engineers analyze and design solutions to
problems in biology and medicine, with the goal of
improving the quality and effectiveness of patient care.
Biomedical engineers work in
manufacturing, universities, hospitals,
research facilities of companies and
educational and medical institutions,
teaching, and government regulatory
agencies. They usually work full time.
Chemical
engineers
Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry,
biology, and physics to solve problems. These problems
involve the production or use of chemicals, fuel, drugs,
food, and many other products. They design processes and
equipment for large-scale safe and sustainable
manufacturing, plan and test methods of manufacturing
products and treating byproducts, and supervise
production.
Chemical engineers work mostly in
offices or laboratories. They may spend
time at industrial plants, refineries, and
other locations, where they monitor or
direct operations or solve onsite
problems. Nearly all chemical engineers
work full time.
Civil engineers
Civil engineers design and supervise large construction
projects, including roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams,
bridges, and systems for water supply and sewage
treatment.
Civil engineers generally work indoors in
offices. However, they sometimes spend
time outdoors at construction sites so
they can monitor operations or solve
problems at the site. Most work full time.
Computer
hardware
engineers
Computer hardware engineers research, design, develop,
and test computer equipment such as chips, circuit boards,
or routers. By solving complex problems in computer
hardware, these engineers create rapid advances in
computer technology.
Computer hardware engineers usually
work in research laboratories that build
and test various types of computer
models. Most work in high-tech
manufacturing firms. Some work in
computer systems design firms,
research and development firms, or for
the federal government.
Electrical
engineers
Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise
the manufacturing of electrical equipment such as electric
motors, radar and navigation systems, communications
systems, and power generation equipment. Electronics
engineers design and develop electronic equipment, such
as broadcast and communications systems—from portable
music players to global positioning systems (GPS).
Electrical and electronics engineers work
primarily in industries that conduct
research and development, for
engineering services firms, in
manufacturing, and in the federal
government. They generally work
indoors in offices. However, they may
have to visit sites to observe a problem
or a piece of complex equipment.
Environmental
engineers
Environmental engineers use the principles of engineering,
soil science, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to
Environmental engineers work in a
variety of settings because of the nature
Types of engineers (from BLS.gov: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/home.htm)
environmental problems. They are involved in efforts to
improve recycling, waste disposal, public health, and
control of water and air pollution.
of the tasks they do. When they are
working with other engineers and urban
and regional planners, environmental
engineers are likely to be in offices.
When they are carrying out solutions
through construction projects, they are
likely to be at construction sites.
Industrial
engineers
Industrial engineers find ways to eliminate wastefulness in
production processes. They devise efficient ways to use
workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to
make a product or provide a service.
Depending on their tasks, industrial
engineers work both in offices and in the
settings they are trying to improve. For
example, when observing problems,
they may watch workers on a factory
floor or staff in a hospital. When solving
problems, they may be in an office at a
computer looking at data that they or
others have collected.
Materials
engineers
Materials engineers develop, process, and test materials
used to create a range of products, from computer chips
and aircraft wings to golf clubs and snow skis. They also
help select materials and develop new ways to use
materials.
Materials engineers generally work in
offices where they have access to
computer-aided design (CAD) programs.
Others work in supervisory roles either in
the factory or in research and
development laboratories. Most
materials engineers work full time.
Mechanical
engineers
Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering
disciplines. Mechanical engineers design, develop, build,
and test mechanical devices, including tools, engines, and
machines.
Mechanical engineers generally work in
professional office settings. They may
occasionally visit worksites where a
problem or piece of equipment needs
their personal attention. Mechanical
engineers work mostly in engineering
services, research and development,
manufacturing industries, and the federal
government.