Design Engineer

In this video Brandon from Vattenfall answers questions about his role as a design engineer

What You'll Do in This Job

Your Role as a Design Engineer

Design engineering combines technical knowledge with creative problem-solving to develop systems, products, and infrastructure. Brandon manages heat network development for approximately 3,000 homes near Edinburgh, overseeing multiple active development sites at different stages and interfacing between developers and contractors.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

  • Design Review: Analysing design documentation prepared by contractors

  • Technical Analysis: Reviewing building materials, specifications, and heat loss calculations

  • Project Planning: Coordinating network development with construction schedules

  • Early-Stage Design: Network routing, pipe sizing, and system layout

  • Problem-Solving: Working with contractors and developers to resolve technical challenges

  • Stakeholder Management: Communicating with technical and non-technical teams

Technical Skills You'll Use

Software Proficiency

  • CAD (Computer-Aided Design): Daily use for reviewing plans and creating technical drawings

  • GIS (Geographic Information Systems): Early-stage network mapping using tools like Open Street Map

  • Specialised simulation software: Modelling heat networks and thermal systems

  • Microsoft Office and project management tools: Documentation and coordination

"We use quite a few different software packages. CAD is something I use daily just to review building developers' site plans as well as the network designs."

Technical Expertise

  • Fluid mechanics and thermodynamics principles

  • Pipe work sizing and calculations

  • Heat loss analysis and thermal modelling

  • Understanding construction phasing and building materials

  • Spatial problem-solving and visualisation

Real-World Problem Solving

You'll tackle challenges like resolving conflicts between heat network pipes and drainage systems, requiring creative solutions that balance technical requirements with practical constraints. This involves collaborative sessions using CAD software, effective communication with developers, and considering cost implications of different approaches.

"We had a reasonably long call with a contractor reviewing this issue with drainage. We had CAD open and were sketching out different layouts on how we could try and get around the problem."

How Much You'll Earn

Design Engineer Salaries (2025 UK Data)

Entry Level

  • Graduate/Entry level (less than 1 year): £25,360-£26,990

  • Early career (1-4 years): £29,449-£30,349

Experienced Design Engineers

  • Average salary: £35,000-£39,500

  • Typical range: £29,500-£45,300

  • Experienced roles: £35,000-£45,000

  • Senior positions: Up to £58,000

Specialised/High-End Roles

  • Maximum potential: Up to £75,400 for highly skilled specialists

  • London salaries: £30,700-£45,100 (higher due to location)

Engineering Manager Salaries

  • Average range: £50,400-£82,700

  • Total pay range: £49,600-£153,600 depending on experience

  • London managers: £85,500-£90,200

Salary Growth Factors

  • Location: London typically pays 15-20% more than national average

  • Company size: Major operators and established firms typically offer better packages

  • Qualifications: Master's degrees and professional certifications (IED, IMechE) increase earning potential

  • Specialisation: Chartered engineer status and advanced software skills command premium salaries

Career Progression Routes

Early Career Path

Graduate Program Experience

  • Two-year graduate program rotating through departments:

    • 6 months in engineering

    • 6 months in operations (working with live networks)

    • 6 months in project management

  • Initial focus on technical calculations and number-crunching roles

  • Gradual increase in responsibility and decision-making authority

Career Development

  1. Graduate Engineer → 2. Design Engineer → 3. Senior Engineer → 4. Engineering Manager

Progression Opportunities

  • Specialisation: Focus on specific aspects like thermal modelling or network design

  • Management roles: Leading engineering teams and projects

  • Cross-functional experience: Operations, project management, business development

  • Industry mobility: Skills transfer across sectors (renewable energy, infrastructure, manufacturing)

"As a graduate, you tend to be given more of the number crunching roles that are time consuming but have a big impact on the project. The higher-up decision making is generally done by more senior engineers."

How to Get Started

Educational Requirements

Essential Qualifications

  • Master's degree in engineering (minimum requirement for Brandon's role)

  • Doesn't have to be mechanical - process engineering or electrical engineering also accepted

  • Important high school subjects:

    • Higher Mathematics

    • Higher English

    • Higher Physics

    • Higher Chemistry

    • Higher Graphic Communications

    • Advanced Higher Physics

    • Engineering Science

"Essentially anything science-based is important. Engineering Science is quite important because physics is what got me interested in wanting to do engineering."

Alternative Entry Routes

  • Graduate training programs (like Brandon's two-year program)

  • University degree followed by direct entry

  • Apprenticeship routes with some companies

  • Technical colleges with engineering focus

  • Company-sponsored education: Some companies like SSE take students from high school and put them through university

What Makes a Good Design Engineer

Technical Skills

  • Strong understanding of fundamental engineering principles

  • Ability to visualise and solve spatial problems

  • Proficiency with technical software (CAD, GIS, simulation tools)

  • Understanding of materials and their properties

Essential Soft Skills

  • Communication: Working with technical and non-technical stakeholders

  • Creative problem-solving: Finding innovative solutions to complex challenges

  • Negotiation: Finding compromise solutions that work for all parties

  • Patience and persistence when dealing with complex technical issues

Tips for Standing Out

Building Experience

  • Pursue volunteer opportunities to demonstrate commitment and initiative

  • Seek internships or work experience, even short-term (two weeks minimum)

  • Be open to experiences in related fields to discover your interests

  • Develop a portfolio of projects demonstrating your capabilities

"Volunteering is a good thing if you can get a chance to do it... Even if it's something that's only two weeks, if you get the opportunity to apply, take the opportunity."

Follow Your Interests

  • Focus on subjects you enjoy rather than specific job titles

  • Consider which university topics excite you most

  • Look for career opportunities that align with your favourite subjects

Additional Information

Industry Outlook

Growth in District Heating

  • Expansion of heat networks creating increasing demand for engineers

  • Transition to renewable heating systems creating new engineering challenges

  • Current focus on Edinburgh with plans for further growth

Varied Career Options

  • Design engineering roles in consulting firms

  • Project management positions

  • Operational engineering

  • Technical specialisation (e.g., thermal modelling)

Different Types of Design Engineering

Design engineering spans multiple disciplines:

  • Heat networks: Combines mechanical and civil engineering elements

  • Product design: From pumps to laptops

  • Infrastructure: Built environment and civil projects

  • Manufacturing: Automotive, aerospace, consumer products

"I think you can find design engineering in almost anything... you can find design in heat networks or designing a product like a laptop - there's lots of different things you could do."

What Brandon Enjoys Most

"I probably enjoy reviewing designs the most... I get to do some calculations, review the design, and think about whether I would have gone down a different route... look at the implications if we change that."

Work Experience Opportunities

  • Vattenfall offers work experience for students

  • Provides exposure to both office and on-site environments

  • Shows how engineering interfaces with business aspects

  • Helps determine if the industry is right for you

Brandon's Key Advice

"Find what you enjoy from the subject... think about the subjects that you really enjoy and then think about any career opportunities for that... look at it from what you're interested in rather than necessarily the job, because you'll find that most jobs have very repetitive points so if you're not entirely in love with the subject that fits into it, then the work gets old pretty quick."