what is a development engineer?
A development engineer works on creating new products and improving existing ones with the aim of, among other things, increasing a company's revenue. This means you need to be familiar with the different phases of product development in order to design, develop and create new products and product ideas that the company can sell.
As a development engineer, you can work in a range of different types of companies, as long as it is a company that produces products for customers, either for private individuals or for other companies. For example, employers in the pharmaceutical industry who develop medical equipment. But as a development engineer, you can also work for a toy manufacturer. It is important that, as a development engineer, you understand relevant engineering principles in order to succeed in your role, especially when it comes to designing and developing equipment, tools or products. Some development engineers work more with developing and designing systems or components that are needed to be able to use the products.
what does a development engineer do?
A development engineer needs to be thorough in their work. Before you design and develop a product, you need to do market research to find gaps in the market, identify potential target groups, and study what the competition looks like. Is there already a similar product? Is it possible to make it better and therefore more attractive for consumers? With the help of your market research, you can decide which features are needed in the product so that it stands out. You may need to develop completely new concepts that meet a need that exists among consumers. After you have created the prototype and the design, you collaborate with other engineers and specialists in the same field to make sure that the product meets the quality requirements that exist. You also need to communicate with the marketing department to build products that can actually be marketed and sold, and that should provide a good return for the company.
Would a job as a development engineer in the IT and tech industry suit your problem-solving skills? Then read on to find out which skills and qualifications are needed to succeed in a role as a development engineer.
development engineer jobsaverage salary as a development engineer.
A development engineer plays an important role at many employers, and can work in a variety of different types of companies. This means that the role of a development engineer looks different depending on where you work. That is one of the factors that makes the salary vary. The average salary for a development engineer is therefore affected by who the employer is.
how do you increase your salary as a development engineer?
As a development engineer, you have the opportunity to choose among several different sectors and employers. That is one of the factors that will affect the salary as a development engineer. The general salary level is better in some sectors than in others.
Otherwise, the complexity of the role you have as a development engineer is important for determining the salary. Those who handle more complex tasks and have increased responsibility will have better chances of getting a higher salary. Since, as a development engineer, you can work both in a company that develops and produces medical equipment, and in a company that manufactures toys, the design of the role can vary so much that the salary also varies greatly. So, both internal and external factors can influence the salary for a development engineer.
An internal factor that affects the salary for a development engineer is the education and work experience one has. The development engineer who has worked with similar tasks for a long time has greater knowledge and thus becomes more attractive to the employer. To improve your chances of a higher salary as a development engineer, you constantly need to work on developing your skills.
An external factor that affects the salary for development engineers and everyone else working in the Swedish labour market is geographical location. The general salary level is higher in certain parts of Sweden. The biggest difference can be seen in the metropolitan regions. In or near large cities like Malmö, Gothenburg and Stockholm, salaries are higher than in many other places in the country.
different types of development engineer.
In the role of development engineer, you use your expertise to create a product, from conceptualising the product to the final step when the finished product is to be manufactured or produced. In some cases, the person working as a development engineer is specialised in a specific area.
- Product development engineer: Your job is to plan and build a functional product for your employer, starting from the original product idea. You study different ways to implement the concept and prepare technical drawings and prototypes to use as a basis. You can also work on improving and developing products that already exist.
- Project development engineer: In your role, you need to keep track of the entire lifecycle of the product, from the idea stage and conceptualisation, to when the product is launched on the market and hopefully well received by consumers.
- Test development engineer: in this role, the main focus is on quality testing various products and making sure that different industry standards are met. you also ensure to check and test the efficiency, performance and functionality of the product before it goes out to the market.
- Technical development engineer: A development engineer who specialises in the technical side will work on the more technical aspects, such as creating drawings and making sure the vision is technically feasible.
working as a development engineer.
It’s not uncommon for a development engineer to be involved in all phases of the process leading to a finished end product. This means that you come up with ideas, plan and create the products, and also make sure that the final product meets the requirements. Read on to find out more about the tasks and areas of responsibility that await in a role as a development engineer.
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areas of responsibility and tasks
The exact job description varies for someone working as a development engineer, but there are some common tasks and areas of responsibility that are frequently encountered.
- Determine the feasibility of product ideas: your job is to develop new product ideas for the company. once you have an idea, you need to carry out market research to determine if it is a suitable product for the market, based on the target group and the various features of the product. in the end, you need to be involved in deciding whether the product will be successful on the market and if it should be produced.
- Design and develop products as well as product ideas: you are responsible for converting the research that has been done into design plans. you also create prototypes using CAE and CAD. you also need to consult various decision-makers on an ongoing basis and analyse data from the testing of the prototypes. this then forms the basis for the final adjustments needed before the product can go into production.
- Set the specifications before production: Once the company management has approved the production of your product, you need to set the specifications for manufacturing. For example, you need to decide which materials will be used, how the manufacturing process will be carried out, and which techniques will be used to ensure the final product meets the desired quality.
- Testing: A development engineer needs to continuously carry out testing of their products and product ideas. This is something that needs to be considered in every phase of the process, from the prototype to when the final product is on the market. Beta testing is important to be able to calculate how the market will react to the product, while quality tests are important to make sure the product meets the requirements.
- Design upgrades and improvements: If the market for a specific product has grown, you need to find new ways to improve the product’s functionality to make sure it still appeals to the target group. Therefore, you need to keep an overview of how different products are performing on the market, so you know when upgrades or improvements to existing products might be needed.
- Writing reports: An important part of the job as a development engineer is to continuously document the product development process. You will also present reports to company management to facilitate decision-making and help measure the feasibility of various projects. The reports are an important basis to have for the future, for example if a product needs to be updated or developed in a new version.
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work environment
A development engineer can work in several different types of companies. This means that the working environment for someone working as a development engineer can look different, depending on which employer you work for. During the design phase, it is most common to spend the majority of your working time in an office environment, to study market data and draw up the necessary plans. This work is primarily done at a computer. You also need to be communicative and meet different decision-makers to discuss the project in more detail. During the manufacturing and production phase, you check the various stages of production on site in the factory or at the manufacturing facility. In some industries, you even need to work in a laboratory environment to test the products before they can be sold to consumers.
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who are your colleagues?
In the role of development engineer, you will work closely with many different colleagues, depending on which phase of the process you are in. For example, you might work closely with design engineers and project managers. To succeed in the role of development engineer, you need to be a good team player, since the processes from idea to the product being on the market are long. This also means that, for example, you have close contact with managers and other decision-makers, but also colleagues in the marketing and PR department.
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work schedule
It is common for the job as a development engineer to be a full-time position, with up to 40 working hours per week. At the same time, it is a job that is driven by deadlines and in several phases of the long-term process can be time-pressured. As a development engineer, this means that at times you may need to work overtime or at inconvenient hours to meet deadlines and keep to the existing schedule. There are part-time jobs as a development engineer, but it is rare since the work demands a lot. However, it is not uncommon for you as a development engineer to work as consultation seller subconsultant with own company. No matter how you work, as a development engineer you have to expect some travel time in the job, either to meet customers or to visit production. As a development engineer, you don’t spend the whole working day just in the office.
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job opportunities
Those who work as development engineers will strengthen their career opportunities as they gain more experience or skills. Someone who is successful as a development engineer may become eligible for other roles with responsibility, such as working as a manager or being responsible for product development at a company. It is not uncommon for development engineers to work as project managers and have significant responsibility for leading various processes. Some development engineers also choose to work as consultants, but that requires having the broad expertise and knowledge needed. There are also development engineers who specialise in, for example, product design or product testing.
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advantages of finding a job as a development engineer via randstad
are you looking for a vacant job as a development engineer? using randstad to look for a new job offers a range of different advantages for you as a job seeker.
- A large number career tips also career opportunities
- An experienced contact person who is available if you need help
- A wide range of job opportunities in your area
- Monthly salary from your employer
- Temporary or permanent employment
Do you want a permanent position? Every year, thousands of people first try a temporary job or a part-time job, and later get offered a permanent position in the same role. In the same way, someone looking for a job as a development engineer can improve their chances of getting a permanent job by first trying a temporary position. This way, you gain valuable work experience and make contacts. At the same time, you should know that many companies use Randstad to find their permanent staff directly!
education and knowledge.
There are different ways to train as a development engineer, but since it is a demanding job, many employers see it as an important qualification to have completed a relevant and comprehensive education.
- University and university of applied sciences: there are several university and university of applied sciences programmes that can be an advantage for those who want to work as a development engineer. there are also development engineer programmes, which prepare their students for a future where they will help shape and develop tomorrow’s companies, products and services with a focus on sustainability.
- Work experience and internship: having practical experience in working life is an advantage for those who want to work as a development engineer. for many employers, this is a requirement, as development engineer is a complex role. it is not uncommon for someone who has worked in another role within the same industry to become relevant for a job as a development engineer later in their career.
knowledge and skills.
There are a number of skills that are important to have as a development engineer:
- Communicative ability: in the role as development engineer, good communicative ability is required. this is necessary to be able to communicate clearly with customers, colleagues and decision-makers within the company throughout the entire development process, from the idea stage to the final product.
- Research skills: It is important to conduct market research in the job as a development engineer. This is to get an idea of customer needs and how different product changes can affect future sales. If you are good at doing research and interpreting data, you can more easily understand the market and develop products that become successful.
- Eye for detail: a development engineer works on creating drawings for various products. someone who is detail-oriented is less likely to make mistakes that delay processes. this will make the final product better and the process easier.
- Computer skills: If you work as a development engineer, you will be working with different software, so being comfortable with computers will make the job easier. It is an advantage to have experience with the same or similar software from before to be able to work efficiently.
- Social skills: A development engineer works side by side with colleagues in many different roles. Being able to get along with different people is important to work efficiently and avoid conflicts that slow down the whole process.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about working as a development engineer.
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how do I become a development engineer?
You can train to become a development engineer at university level by studying the development engineer programme. It is an education that prepares you for working life and that many employers see as very valuable when they are looking for a new development engineer.
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what does a development engineer do?
A development engineer works together with other specialists to improve products by making changes and finding new features that enhance the final product. The goal is ultimately to increase the company's revenue.
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how do I apply for an open position as development engineer?
do you want to find a new job as a development engineer? Create a profile at Randstad and then prepare a CV and a personal letter. You then use the platform to search for available jobs. You can then apply for available jobs directly via the platform!