Do you have design abilities? Are you creative and pay close attention to detail? Are you good at physics, mathematics, and IT? If you said yes to any of the questions above, you have some critical skills that great design engineers possess. It is worth noting that most design engineering processes are aided by computer-aided design (CAD) software; that is why you must have at least basic computer skills. Becoming a design engineer starts with the desire and passion for creating things and solving problems. 

Design engineers are tasked with creating software and hardware products. Whether it is heavy machinery, electrical appliances, construction structures, and computer or mobile-based applications, they are created by design engineers.

Steps to Becoming a Design Engineer

Below are steps you may follow to become a professional design engineer:

• Step1: Do you have a passion for it? This is the first thing to consider. Do enjoy the thrill of handling complex tasks. Are you creative? As a design engineer, you'll spend many hours on the computer to figure out how to solve problems and develop products that work. If this doesn't sound like something you want to do for the rest of your life, then choose another profession.

• Step2: Enroll for a bachelor's degree. You need a design engineering degree to enter this profession. A wide range of intuitions provides training for different engineering disciplines. For example, you can enlist for a manufacturing design course, mechanical design, computer design, software design, product design, or any other discipline you choose. If you have an existing degree in engineering, you may apply for a master's in design engineering. Once you get admitted to a course, real work begins. It is an intensive course; you are required to work so hard.

• Step3: After completing your course, it is time to put whatever you have learned into practice. As a fresh graduate, you should look for internship opportunities related to your field. You'll work in junior positions for a couple of months or years before landing a senior job. For better career prospects, you must ensure you excel in exams.

• Step 4: Upgrade. If you want to excel in your career as a design engineer and ascend to greater heights, you may have to enlist for a master's in the same field. There are also other certifications you may get to advance in this field.

Conclusion

Design engineers have their work cut out as the world gears towards improved user experience and efficiency. Traditionally, design engineers were more utilised in automotive and product manufacturing. As consumers demand more efficient products, different industries realise the importance of design engineers. Anyone can become a design engineer. 

However, the profession is not for everyone. Design engineering is not the right field for you if you don't enjoy creating things or solving complex problems. To qualify as a design engineer, you need a bachelor's degree or an equivalent in the same field.