engineer.

As an engineer, your specific responsibilities depend on your field of study and specialisation. However, some of the most common tasks include:
 

• creating plans using drawings: as an engineer, you bring an idea to life by drawing the design of a product, which is used to make a prototype. Whether it's a machine or product, you visualise the features and detail them in your drawing during planning. You use computer-aided design (CAD) programs and other design tools to create the plans.
• providing project specifications: after developing a project design, you create specifications that determine its functionality and effectiveness. During product specification, you prepare material estimates and budgets for production.
• conducting engineering experiments: as an engineer, you research and test the effectiveness of a product. That includes evaluating the product in various conditions and finding ways to improve its performance. In chemical engineering, you conduct experiments to determine the best formulas or processes for manufacturing consumer goods.
• completing regulatory documents: before embarking on a project, you complete technical and regulatory paperwork. Some of the documents deal with workplace health and safety concerns.
• creating maintenance procedures: the machines and equipment you design should be kept in tip-top shape. Hence, you outline the maintenance procedures that will uphold its standards.
• writing technical reports: as an engineer, you write project reports and provide a cost analysis from the beginning to the end. You explain the project details to senior management members and guide them on financial planning for the project.

As an engineer, your work environment depends on your specialisation area. That means you can work in office buildings, manufacturing plants, mining companies or laboratories. Engineers working in labs are sometimes exposed to hazardous materials, so you will often be required to wear personal protective equipment. Some engineers work in oil and gas exploration or outdoors on construction sites, and marine engineers work underwater or even in submarines. Engineering work also involves a lot of travelling, depending on your field of study. For instance, engineers in the construction industry travel between the site and the office. Sometimes, senior engineers attend conferences or complete projects overseas.

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include product designers, industrial electricians and drafters. You might also be working in close proximity to welders and production workers, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, maintenance supervisors, maintenance managers and industrial designers.

As an engineer, you work a full-time schedule of between 40 and 50 hours a week. During research stages or product testing, you are likely to work overtime when deadlines approach. Some engineering positions offer part-time or short-term contract opportunities, but they are rare. In other positions, your role may include shift work or working at night. For instance, if you are part of the railway line maintenance crew, you work at night to avoid interrupting the train's schedule.

Engineers have promising job prospects due to the multiple roles in the engineering field. You can work in any industry sector, from manufacturing to energy and information technology (IT). From a junior-level position, it is easy to become a senior engineer, or you can gain chartered status and become a consultant. Most engineers at the peak of their careers seek management positions or become lecturers in universities.

Finding your engineer job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
 

• a wide variety of training and development opportunities
• an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
• a range of opportunities in your area
• get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
• temporary and permanent contracts

Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as an engineer is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract every year with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

As an engineer, you apply your knowledge of scientific principles to design products that solve problems. For instance, you design and build bridges or roads to improve infrastructure and develop designs for electrical systems.

Engineering is a great career with promising career prospects. The projected job growth rate for engineers in Australia is 10.5% over the next five years. Aside from great job prospects, engineers are generously remunerated, even in entry-level positions.

Although working as an engineer is a fulfilling and rewarding career, the role can be stressful. As an engineer, you work long hours and have tight deadlines to complete projects. High-pressure projects also ride on your performance and require additional effort.

Generally, engineers receive promising remuneration packages in Australia. Some of the highest-paid engineers are civil, industrial and mechanical engineers. Civil engineers work on major infrastructure and building projects.

Learning how to be an engineer is challenging, especially since degree courses are designed to make you a professional problem-solver. However, if you have an interest in fixing things and designing new products, you will enjoy working as an engineer.

Applying for an engineer job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.