An in-depth look at the different types of engineering

Engineering is an exciting and fast-paced sector, and engineers are widely regarded as creative problem-solvers with top-notch communication skills.

As innovative solutions continue to be required for everything from transport to water supplies, engineers are in high demand, with a particular emphasis on technology and AI specialists.

We’re delving into the different kinds of engineering careers and what they entail, so that you can figure out what role is best suited to you.

Working as an electrical engineer offers you the opportunity to use skills in mathematics, science and technology. These types of engineers are often in high demand – from designing systems for the appliances we use every day, to working on major projects like power solutions for towns, cities and power plants. 

There are many ways to get into electrical engineering: you can take the university route by studying for a degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering, offered by universities such as the University of Brighton, Cardiff Metropolitan and Birmingham City University. UCAS has a great list of universities offering degrees in these areas.

You can also break into the industry through an apprenticeship or a course at college (often requiring specific GCSEs or two or three A-levels or equivalent). Having courses such as a Level 2 Certificate in Electrical Installation or a Level 2 Diploma in Electrical and Electronics Technology on your CV can help when you're looking for a trainee position within a company.

To become an electrical engineer, you must have great problem-solving, communication and teamwork skills, as you'll need to identify faults, find solutions and fix problems. 

Read our article about the skills and attributes you need to get into engineering to see if your skills match.

Mechanical engineering is one of the most diverse and versatile types of engineering in the industry. Simply put, mechanical engineers design, develop, build and test physical machines with moving parts.

They craft power-producing machines such as electric generators, turbines or car engines, or power-using machines like air-conditioning systems and refrigerators. And you're as likely to find them at your local car garage as in an office-based research and development setting.

A degree is often necessary for entry-level jobs – Coventry, De Montfort and many other universities offer full-time BEng degrees in Mechanical Engineering. Or you can apply for a mechanical engineering apprenticeship, which several well-known companies, such as Jaguar Land Rover and Nestlé, offer. Read our article on how to get into engineering without a BEng for more information.

As well as academic qualifications, mechanical engineers must have a good knowledge of maths and science, an understanding of how to find or fix faults, and great time management skills.

Civil engineers plan, design and oversee the construction and maintenance of things we use almost every day. These include bridges, roads, water and sewage systems, airports and railways. The role of this type of engineer is paramount in keeping the places we know and love running smoothly.

A civil engineer can work in a variety of locations, depending on their specific role and sector. However, most civil engineers work in offices alongside construction employees, architects and site managers, and display high-quality decision-making, excellent oral communication and mathematical skills in their day-to-day work.

You can start your career in civil engineering with a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or a Higher National Diploma (HND). For example, a Level 4 HNC in Civil Engineering or a Level 5 HND in Construction and the Built Environment, which requires one or two A-levels (or equivalent), can be obtained by attending college or an apprenticeship. You can also take on a BEng or foundation degree in Civil Engineering (or equivalent) from a choice of multiple universities. Many also offer sandwich courses that give you the chance to take a year out of studying and replace it with a hands-on placement at a company of your choice. 

Marine engineers work on the design, building and maintenance of ships, submarines, aircraft carriers and even colossal tankers. Demand for marine engineers is set to increase in coming years, due to the expansion of renewable energy sources such as wind and tidal.

Some marine engineers work in an office, using cutting-edge computer software and tools for data analysis. Others work at sea, carrying out maintenance on the ships they have built or designed. These kinds of engineers must have the ability to repair and maintain machines and tools, and have laser-focused attention to detail and a good knowledge of physics in particular. 

Entry requirements for a job as a marine engineer often require one of the following degrees:

• Marine Engineering 
• Naval Architecture 
• Offshore Engineering
• Marine Technology

There are also various options to do a marine engineering apprenticeship, which will offer on-the-job training through to qualification. These require four or five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including science, maths and English. 

Unlike the other types of careers in engineering we've discussed so far, software engineers often work on a micro scale, using in-depth knowledge of programming language and engineering principles to design, develop, test and maintain the systems that power the technology we use daily. This can vary from websites, apps and computer software to network control systems and robots – depending on whether you’re employed by software publishers, computer system design firms or product manufacturing businesses.

As a software engineer, you must have analytical thinking skills, mathematics or programming knowledge and complex problem-solving skills. In terms of the day-to-day, the working life of a software engineer can be very flexible, since access to an internet connection is available almost anywhere!

To become a software engineer you can complete an apprenticeship, a college course or a degree. Software engineering is a broad topic, but a number of UK universities offer a three-year Software Engineering course. If a degree isn’t your thing, Best Apprenticeships has compiled a list of software engineering apprenticeships at a variety of media, aerospace and consultancy companies.

Environmental engineers design technologies and eco-conscious systems to prevent and control environmental risks that could have a major environmental impact. As concern about the impact of advanced modern life on our planet increases, environmental engineers play an important role in maintaining the sustainability of life on Earth. 

To get into environmental engineering, you'll most likely need a degree, specifically in a discipline like Chemistry, Environmental Science or Geoscience. Among many others, the University of Brighton offers a degree in Civil with Environmental Engineering (sandwich, four-year), along with Brunel University, which offers a BEng in Civil Engineering with Sustainability.

Environmental engineers use the principles of engineering, biology and chemistry to produce effective solutions for manufacturing, agriculture and construction, and work to improve public health, water disposal systems, recycling and air pollution. For this, you must be able to analyse scientific data, meet project deadlines and interpret reports written by others. 

Read our article on an overview of engineering salaries if you wish to find out how much you could potentially earn from working in this sector.