How to become a Mechanical Design Engineer

Mechanical design engineering has evolved into one of the most influential areas of modern engineering. With demand continuing to increase, businesses across aerospace, robotics, medical devices, consumer technology and advanced manufacturing are all relying on Mechanical Design Engineers to turn ideas into products that work reliably in the real world.

If you’re exploring how to become a Mechanical Design Engineer, we have the insight you need to make the move. Here, we’ll take a look at what the role involves, what skills matter, and how people enter mechanical design engineer jobs.

What does a Mechanical Design Engineer do?

Mechanical Design Engineers turn ideas and technical challenges into real components and systems. Before any prototype is built or any component is manufactured, it’s the Mechanical Design Engineer’s responsibility to ensure the design will function in real conditions, can be produced efficiently and meets all relevant standards.

Mechanical Design Engineers work in almost every technical industry, from aerospace and defence to telecommunications and consumer electronics. Each sector brings different constraints, which is why mechanical design engineers become highly valuable as they build experience.

A typical Mechanical Design Engineer job description includes:

• Translating requirements or problems into design concepts
• Creating 3D models using CAD platforms like SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, CATIA or AutoCAD
• Producing fully defined drawings with tolerances, fits and GD&T
• Choosing suitable materials based on strength, weight, cost and manufacturability
• Running structural or thermal simulations, often using FEA
• Working closely with electronics, firmware engineers, and operations teams
• Supporting prototype builds and making iterative improvements
• Ensuring compliance with regulatory or safety standards
• Documenting work clearly and maintaining version control

What skills do you need to become a Mechanical Design Engineer?

Entry routes into mechanical design are built on a combination of technical depth and practical skills. The most successful design engineers are those who can explain a complex decision clearly and defend it with confidence. 

Technical Mechanical Design Engineer skills

• Competence with at least one major CAD platform 
• Understanding of forces, stress, strain and material behaviour
• Ability to create accurate, production-ready drawings
• Knowledge of DFM/DFA principles
• Familiarity with machining, moulding, forming and additive manufacturing
• Basic FEA capability or confidence with hand calculations
• Awareness of compliance, safety standards and product requirements

Soft skills that matter

• Communicating clearly with cross-functional teams
• Approaching problems logically
• Paying attention to detail without slowing progress
• Being comfortable with iteration and feedback
• Managing requirements, constraints and trade-offs

Is Mechanical Design Engineering a good career?

A Mechanical Design Engineer career is a strong long-term choice for engineers who want variety, growth and technical depth. As new technologies emerge and industries evolve, Mechanical Design Engineers remain central to innovation. The work is challenging, but the rewards are significant.

A Mechanical Design Engineer career is attractive for a number of reasons:

• Long-term demand across sectors including aerospace, defence, robotics, medical devices, consumer electronics and semiconductors
• Strong progression opportunities into senior, principal, specialist or leadership roles
• A mix of technical and creative problem-solving that avoids repetitive work
• Competitive salaries, especially for those specialising in regulated or complex systems
• A tangible sense of contribution as your designs progress from concept to production

What qualifications do you need to become a Mechanical Design Engineer?

While there isn’t one fixed pathway into mechanical design engineering, employers look for strong engineering foundations combined with practical capability. What matters most is how well you understand core mechanical principles and how confidently you can apply them.

University degrees

A degree remains the most common route into Mechanical Design Engineer jobs. Courses typically accepted include:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
• Design Engineering
• Product Design Engineering
• Mechatronics or Electromechanical Engineering
• Aerospace or Automotive Engineering

These degrees teach the mathematical, analytical and materials-based reasoning essential for design work.

Higher or degree apprenticeships

Apprenticeships in mechanical design or design engineering offer structured training while giving you real experience working inside engineering teams. Engineers entering through this route build practical skills early, particularly in CAD and design documentation.

HNDs, foundation degrees and vocational routes

These are widely recognised, particularly when paired with hands-on experience or demonstrable CAD ability. Many engineers progress into mechanical design after starting their careers as technicians or draughtspersons.

Postgraduate study

A master's degree is not essential but can be valuable in specialised sectors. Areas where postgraduate study boosts employability include:

• FEA or structural analysis
• Advanced materials
• Thermal engineering
• Simulation and modelling
• Product development and innovation

How to become a Mechanical Design Engineer

1. Strengthen your engineering foundations

Before diving into CAD or advanced tools, focus on mastering the fundamentals. Understanding how forces transfer through assemblies, how materials fail, and how heat affects performance will guide every design decision you make.

2. Learn one major CAD tool extremely well

Solid CAD ability is non-negotiable in mechanical design. Choose one platform and commit to mastering it. Employers value engineers who can:

• Build clean, organised models
• Understand design intent
• Create production-ready drawings
• Control assemblies and constraints
• Use revision history effectively

3. Gain hands-on experience

Practical experience is crucial because it exposes you to the realities that CAD alone can’t teach. Work placements, Formula Student, personal builds and internships all contribute significantly to your ability to think like a design engineer.

Experience can come from:

• Manufacturing or assembly work
• Technical competitions
• Internship programmes
• Design technician roles
• University project teams
   

4. Develop design judgement

This is one of the most important Mechanical Design Engineer skills, and also one of the hardest to teach. Judgement means knowing when to tighten a tolerance, when to simplify a design, and when a manufacturing process will introduce problems. It grows over time as you see more parts fail, succeed and evolve.

5. Build a strong portfolio

A portfolio helps employers understand not just what you’ve designed, but how you think. Include:

• CAD models
• Drawings with tolerances
• Design rationale
• Prototype photos
• Notes on improvements you’d make

Take your next step with Redline Group

Mechanical Design Engineering has been one of our specialisms for decades. Our consultants have changed lives every day working closely with engineers to help them find roles where their skills can progress. Whether you’re exploring your first Mechanical Design Engineer job or aiming for a senior role, our team can help you identify opportunities aligned with your goals.

Explore Mechanical Design Engineer jobs and take the next step in your engineering career.