Design Engineer
Welcome, young design engineering enthusiasts!
Welcome, young design engineering enthusiasts!
A design engineer is responsible for creating and developing new products and systems. They use computer-aided design (CAD) software to create detailed models and plans.
Design engineers often work in various fields, including mechanical, electrical, civil, and aerospace engineering. They play a crucial role in ensuring that products are functional, efficient, and meet customer needs.
A Design Engineer may typically:
What does a BMT Design Engineer do?
It involves:
Naval Architecture and Engineering are broad subjects requiring lots of skills.
Whole Ship Design - Design Engineering. Design engineers were involved with producing Aviation Arrangement drawings for a Whole Ship Design Concept. They were required to complete complex, technical arrangements, ensuring customer requirements were met. They attended customer meetings to showcase drawings and implement feedback when provided. They used 2D AutoCAD to draw plan, elevation and detail views. They attended Ship Visits to gain understanding and appreciation of layouts, arrangements, location of equipment and how spaces function.
Large Ship Design - Design Engineering. Design Engineers were involved with producing various Arrangements and Key Plans for the regeneration of the hull of a large vessel design. The work involved creating 2D drawings on AutoCAD (industrial design software). They used supporting information and drawings as reference information to provide similarity from existing platforms. They conducted a Ship Survey to validate locations of equipment and compartment spaces.
Entering a career in Design Engineering involves a combination of education, skill development, and professional experience.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to pursue a career in Design Engineering globally:
Degree route
Attend: Sixth form or college
Qualification:
Subjects:
Attend: University
Qualification: BEng/MEng in an Engineering/Design related subject
Study:
Apply to BMT in your final year of university
Attend: BMT
Role: Graduate Design Engineer
Experience:
Attend: BMT
Role: Design Engineer
Experience: Choose a team and start developing your specialism.
* These timelines are indicative to give you an idea of the sort of path you might wish to take. There is some room for flexibility based on your academic aspirations.
Apprenticeship route
Attend:
Qualification: Level 3 Engineering Diploma
Subjects: Engineering related units/subjects
Attend: BMT
Role: Design Engineer Apprentice
Qualification: Level 4 - HNC
Study: Engineering related units/subjects
Attend: BMT
Role: Design Engineer Apprentice
Qualification: Level 5 - HND
Study: Engineering related units/subjects
Attend:
Role: Design Engineer
Qualification: Part time degree
Study: Any course that’s applicable to work at BMT.
Attend: BMT
Role: Design Engineer
Experience: Choose a team and start developing your specialism.
Bradley is a Design Engineer Apprentice within the Outfit and Arrangement (O&A) department at BMT. During his time at BMT he has been a part of several wholeship design programmes as well as developing concept solutions for the R&D team.
What do you do?
My time is spent developing 2D and 3D compartment arrangements however due to the unique business that BMT operates I have the opportunity to use my skills on a variety of projects.
How did you get there?
I started my engineering career back in 2010 as a junior design engineer for a British shoe manufacture using 3D software to generate production prototypes. Having always wanted to work in the marine industry I joined BMT in 2020 where I have been able to transfer my skillset to a totally different environment.
Who inspired, helped and supported you?
A lot of my support has come from my colleagues at BMT especially my line manager and the BMT apprenticeship lead, they have both contributed to the skills and confidence I have today. My inspiration comes from following companies which are producing the next generation of technology specifically companies like SpaceX, Figure and OpenAI. Watching large teams of people work towards a futuristic goal encourages me to think outside the box and innovate in my own role.
What do you enjoy about your role?
I enjoy the variety of projects I get to work on as well as the different people I get to work with. The variety of work not only contributes to my own skillset but it also helps me gain a better understanding of what I enjoy doing.
Has your role provided you with any exciting opportunities?
I was fortunate enough to be invited to the reveal of Team Resolute’s new FSS model at DSEi 2023 in London. Whilst attending the event I was given the opportunity to chat to media representatives about my role in the project and my journey as an apprentice at BMT. It was great seeing the positive reactions to a design that I have spent a significant amount of time working on.
I was also lucky enough to be invited to an event down in Portsmouth commemorating 70 years since the end of the Korean war. The event was held onboard two Korean warships with food, drink and entertainment this included traditional Korean music, dance and a martial arts display.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Seek out positive role models/mentors as getting a second opinion can be invaluable when you’re working on a project or trying to navigate your career path.
"The variety of work not only contributes to my own skillset but it also helps me gain a better understanding of what I enjoy doing."