Engineering jobs

Know before you read At SNHU, we want to make sure you have the information you need to make decisions about your education and your future—no matter where you choose to go to school. That's why our informational articles may reference careers for which we do not offer academic programs, along with salary data for those careers. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

"There is no best engineering major," Sadraey said. Rather, he said the answer depends on multiple factors you have to decide for yourself. These include your:

Mechanical Engineering

Another overlap is with the skills that engineering demands. Sadraey noted that math and physics skills are necessary in nearly every engineering field.

Mechanical engineers analyze projects to determine how a mechanical device can be used and then design and test machines to help the project. They can also investigate equipment that has failed to determine how part of the mechanics needs to be repaired, according to BLS.

Engineering salary

Discover more about SNHU’s engineering degrees: Find out what courses you'll take, skills you’ll learn and how to request information about the program.

Engineering types

Mechanical engineers design, build and develop mechanical and thermal sensing devices, such as engines, tools and machines. Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering fields, according to BLS, and they can be found working on a vast range of products, from electric generators to batteries to refrigeration systems.

For example, if you are deeply fascinated by the human body's micro-level intricacies, you might lean towards biomedical engineering. Conversely, if you're passionate about sustainably harnessing natural resources, you might resonate more with petroleum or environmental engineering.

Electrical engineers focus on the design, testing and manufacturing of electrical components, such as motors, navigation, communications systems and power generation, according to BLS. They work in a range of industries, including research, manufacturing, telecommunications and more, BLS reports.

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They often split their time between an office and project sites. Similar occupations include construction manager, landscape architect and urban or regional planning, according to BLS.

Engineering Mathematics

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Chemical engineers use their knowledge in the sciences and manufacturing to bring chemical processes developed in a laboratory to a commercial or industrial process to create products and then evaluate and improve those processes, according to the American Chemical Society (ACS).

Civil Engineering

Civil engineers solve infrastructure problems. The projects they design, build and maintain span a wide range in both the public and private sectors, including bridges, roads, tunnels, dams and water and sewer systems, according to BLS.

Chemical engineers use their knowledge of sciences — such as chemistry, biology, physics and math — to solve problems that affect the use or production of chemicals, food, drugs and more, according to BLS. They often work in offices and laboratories, and nearly all work full-time, BLS reports.

There are nearly as many types of engineers as there are industries overall. Here's an overview of a dozen specific types of engineering.

Similar occupations include biomedical or nuclear engineering and occupational and health safety specialists or technicians, according to BLS.

Engineering games

No matter how niche, every engineering discipline contributes to society in some way. They also intersect and overlap in many ways. An aerospace engineer might rely on the insights of a materials engineer to choose the right components for a spacecraft. Similarly, a computer hardware engineer often collaborates with electrical engineers to ensure optimized system performance.

There are dozens and dozens of different types of engineering, but when it comes down to the basics, engineering is about using specialized bases of knowledge to solve a problem. Since we encounter a wide variety of problems, we have an equally wide range of engineering disciplines, many of which are highly specialized and designed to solve those problems.

The primary function of chemical engineers is to design and troubleshoot processes for producing chemicals, fuels, foods, pharmaceuticals and biologicals, to name a few. They are most often employed by large-scale manufacturing plants to maximize productivity and product quality while minimizing costs.

Some of the more notable types of engineering are aerospace, biomedical, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, industrial and mechanical, according to Dr. Mohammad H. Sadraey, a professor of aeronautical engineering at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). With over two decades of teaching experience and background as both an airport mechanical engineer and an aerospace design engineer, Sadraey brings a wealth of practical knowledge to his students.

Chemical engineers translate processes developed in the lab into practical applications for the commercial production of products and then work to maintain and improve those processes. They rely on the main foundations of engineering: math, physics and chemistry (though biology is playing an increasing role).

Similar occupations include electrician, biomedical engineer and architectural and engineering manager, according to BLS.

Engineering stands at the forefront of evolution in a world driven by innovation and constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible. The plethora of engineering fields is a testament to humanity's quest to solve diverse problems, from constructing sustainable cities to harnessing the mysteries of the quantum realm.

While each engineering field boasts unique allure and challenges, the best one for you hinges on aligning your aspirations and interests. By exploring the different types of engineering available, you can determine which is the best fit for you and your journey.

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Engineering Mechanics

Infrastructure such as the Brooklyn Bridge, the Erie Canal and the Thames Tunnel in London were all made possible because of the work of civil engineers. Those are just three on a list of dozens of civil engineering landmarks listed by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

Electrical engineering is one of the industry's broadest fields, which means what you do varies widely from one sector to another. From working with circuits to making computers and other electronics used to build fiber-optic networks or vision sensors for cars, many disciplines employ electrical engineers.

Similar occupations include materials engineer, petroleum engineer and mechanical engineering technician, according to BLS.

The work environment could also be a critical factor for you. If you cherish team collaboration in a lab setting, you might find chemical or biomedical engineering fitting. On the other hand, if you prefer open spaces and hands-on fieldwork, you might gravitate towards civil or geological engineering.

Joe Cote is a writer and organic marketer at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), where he has worked since 2016. Previously he spent more than a dozen years as a reporter and editor at weekly and daily newspapers in Vermont and New Hampshire. He lives near SNHU's Manchester, New Hampshire campus with his wife and daughter. Connect with him on LinkedIn.