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Design Engineer

A Design Engineer creates and improves products, collaborates on designs, tests prototypes, and ensures efficiency while managing multiple projects.

How do I become a design engineer

Get qualified to work as a design engineer with a course recognised across Australia. Speak to a training provider to learn more.

Common questions

In Australia, a full time Design Engineer generally earns $2,212 per week ($115,024 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience you can expect a potentially higher salary than people who are new to the industry.

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The number of people working in this field is expected to grow strongly in coming years. There are currently 17,200 people employed in this sector in Australia and many of them specialise as a Design Engineer. Design Engineers may find work across all regions of Australia.

Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights

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If you’re interested in a career as a Design Engineer, consider enrolling in a Bachelor of Industrial Design. This course will give you the skills to design consumer products, packaging and marketing materials. You’ll refine your sketching and modelling skills and engage in project work using the latest digital and CAD technologies. A Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Honours) may also be suitable.

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Further reading

Most popular engineering courses

12th June 2022

Most popular design courses

30th May 2022

How to start a Career in Human-Centred Design

21st October 2024

Design Engineer careers

A Design Engineer plans new products used in a range of industries. You might work with other stakeholders to come up with product designs and conduct testing on product prototypes. Design Engineers may also make changes to existing products to improve them or make them more efficient.

Design Engineers should have good problem solving skills and excellent technical abilities. It’s important you can communicate well and work as part of a team. Design Engineers should be able to work on several projects at one time and manage their time well. You’ll need to have strong analytical skills in this role.