The word engineering usually makes us think of car mechanics or ‘engineering works’ which delay train journeys and cause traffic hold-ups on the roads. In reality, engineering is a lot wider than this, covering everything from building and transport to cosmetics. Engineers were responsible for designing the Channel Tunnel rail link, and more recently for designing colour-matching technology to determine the best make-up for your skin tone.

Engineers work in all kinds of environments. Yes, some jobs do involve getting covered
in oil, and wearing protective clothing, but engineering roles can take place in an office, in laboratories, or outdoors, in the air and underground. They influence every aspect of modern life and it’s likely that today alone you will have already depended on the expertise of one or more engineers. Have you taken the Tube? Maybe you’ve listened to an iPod? Or watched television? See, told you so. Here are six examples you might be interested in:

Sound and acoustics engineer
Sound systems are everywhere – in theatres, cinemas, train stations and of course at home. Without the impact of technology and the systems to deliver sound information, much of the entertainment business we know now would not exist. Sound and acoustics engineers are an essential part in delivering the creative vision of, for example, singers and songwriters. Acoustics engineers work with bands and artists to make sure that venues sound as good as possible. In theatre, the set, position of actors and the arrangement of the auditorium are all elements for the sound engineer to consider.

Aeronautical engineer
See the world and get paid to do it! An aeronautical engineer applies scientific and technological principles to research, design, maintain, test and develop the performance of civil and military aircraft, missiles, weapons systems, satellites and space vehicles. Aeronautical engineering offers a wide range of roles. Most engineers specialise in a particular area, such as research, design, testing, manufacture or maintenance. The aerospace industry is well established in the UK, and the steady expansion in
air travel means that there are many roles available. But there are also the long hours, varied shifts and being away from home for prolonged periods of time to consider. If you shudder at the thought of a 9-5 job, then perhaps this is something for you!

Food engineer
You are what you eat, as the old saying goes. If you take into account the amount of money
we spend on food, you can see that the food and drinks industry is big business. Finding out
which flavours work, and which ingredients work well together is more than a matter of simply
good cooking. Engineers are involved in the development and design of the processes and
equipment that are used for making flavouring, colouring, packaging and distributing food and drink; all to provide the consumer with a fresh, tasty and good-looking product.

Lighting technician
Everyone has a favourite movie, or a theatre performance that sent shivers down your spine. But have you ever given any thought as to how a movie leaps from screenplay to screen? Perhaps you recall a theatre performance where the atmosphere and drama
came together to create an unforgettable mood. Lighting technicians create that mood;
the skill and expertise required in getting the ambiance just right can be as critical to the performance as the acting.

Bioinformatics engineer
What makes a human different to a banana? Quite a lot you might think, but given that we share in the region of 54 per cent of our DNA with bananas, the answer lies
in the structure of our DNA. Mapping the DNA structure of bananas and humans has been made possible by the combination of traditional subjects like maths combined with modern computer technology. Because of this, the modelling and processing developed by computers has allowed us to map out what makes us human and design drugs to treat us when things go wrong.

Environmental engineer
The quality of the land, air and water around us is becoming increasingly important with the onset of climate change. Engineers are at the forefront of preserving our environment and ensuring that modern technology is kind to the environment. Being an environmental engineer might mean that you have a special interest in ecosystems and biology, or other branches of engineering like civil engineering. People who deal in public health matters may also be environmental engineers, helping to ensure that the environment is preserved for people as well as plants and animals.

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Click on the link below to download this and other information about engineering and technology careers as a series of fact sheets.

Enginuity Fact Sheets (PDF 144k)