What are the different types of engineers
Engineering is a vast subject, with several disciplines to choose from. With more and more technological advancements, more engineering disciplines are coming up. Traditionally, there were five main types of engineering fields:
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
However, if you want to become an engineer today, you could choose from several specializations. Engineers are probably one of the most sought after professionals globally.
Table of Contents
- 1 Civil Engineering
- 2 Mechanical Engineering
- 3 Electrical Engineering
- 4 Chemical Engineering
- 5 Industrial engineering
- 6 Other types of engineering
- 7 Agricultural engineering
- 8 Applied engineering
- 9 Food engineering
- 10 Nuclear engineering
- 11 Petroleum engineering
- 12 Biomolecular engineering
- 13 Metallurgical engineering
- 14 Security engineering
- 15 Reverse engineering
- 16 Process engineering
- 17 Optomechanical engineering
Civil Engineering
Civil engineers design and construct structures from buildings, bridges to dams, and sewer systems. Different specialties available under civil engineering are:
- Architectural engineering
- Construction management
- Ecological engineering
- Environmental engineering
- Geotechnical engineering
- Mining engineering
- Structural engineering
- Transport/transportation engineering
- Water (resources) engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineers design, manufacture, and operate, and test machines and other devices. Sub-branches available under mechanical engineering:
- Acoustical engineering
- Aeronautical engineering
- Aerospace engineering
- Astronautical engineering
- Automotive engineering
- Energy engineering
- Marine engineering
- Ocean engineering
- Renewable energy engineering
- Robotics engineering
- Thermal engineering
Electrical Engineering
The various disciplines available under electrical engineering are:
- Computer engineering
- Electrical power engineering
- Electronics engineering
- Network engineering
- Optical engineering
- Power systems engineering
- Software engineering
- Telecommunications engineering
Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineers use mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology principles to design and manufacture products through chemical processes. The sub-specialties available under chemical engineering are:
- Biochemical engineering
- Biomedical engineering/bioengineering
- Biomolecular engineering
- Genetic engineering
- Materials science and engineering
- Metallurgical engineering
- Nanoengineering
- Paper science and engineering
- Plastics engineering
- Textile engineering
Industrial engineering
Industrial engineers are responsible for figuring out ways to reduce wastefulness in production processes. The specialties available under industrial engineering are:
- Financial engineering
- Fire protection and safety engineering
- Management engineering
- Manufacturing engineering
- Operations research
- Safety engineering
- Supply chain management engineering
- Systems engineering
Other types of engineering
Besides the five traditional engineering disciplines, there are many more engineering specialties available today.
Some popular engineering disciplines available are:
-
Agricultural engineering
Agricultural engineers plan, develop, and design new systems, processes, and equipment for agricultural operations and products. They combine engineering and biological sciences principles to resolve agricultural problems related to the power supply, machinery, use of facilities and structures, pollution and environmental issues, and the processing and storage of agricultural products.
-
Applied engineering
They work in a wide array of industries, including construction, manufacturing, architecture, transportation, and healthcare.
-
Food engineering
Food engineers use engineering principles to enhance the storage, processing, and distribution of food products. They are responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient processing, packaging, and delivery of food products to different parts of the world.
-
Nuclear engineering
Nuclear engineers research and develop processes, systems, and equipment to reap the maximum benefits from nuclear energy and radiation. They are often responsible for finding medical and industrial uses for radioactive material, such as in equipment used for medical diagnosis and treatment.
-
Petroleum engineering
Petroleum engineers develop and design methods and techn,iques necessary for extracting oil and gas from the Earth’s surface. They also explore new ways and techniques for the extraction of oil and natural gas.
-
Biomolecular engineering
Biomolecular engineers combine knowledge of chemical engineering and biological processes to find out molecular level solutions to environmental, agricultural, energy, food production, and medicine problems.
-
Metallurgical engineering
Metallurgical engineers develop new ways and techniques of processing metals and converting them into useful products. They work on making products stronger, durable, lightweight, and more energy-efficient.
-
Security engineering
Security engineers are responsible for developing and supervising data security systems to prevent breaches and leaks related to cybercrime.
-
Reverse engineering
Reverse engineers deconstruct artificial objects to reveal their designs, code, or architecture to extract knowledge and information from them.
-
Process engineering
Process engineers develop systems, methods, and equipment to transform raw ingredients into their final product form in a manufacturing facility.
-
Optomechanical engineering
Optomechanical engineers execute new product designs for optical instruments. They are responsible for the systems and structures that involve optical elements like mirrors and lenses.
Engineering is one of the most popular professions in the U.S. market today. Depending on your preference and interest, you may choose an engineering discipline that is the right fit for you.
If you’re looking to become an engineering professional, read more articles around becoming architects on the bizinsure website.