Scribd
Upload
28 views3 pages

Engineering Functions: Teamwork

Engineering involves applying science and mathematics to make nature's resources useful for structures, machines, and processes. Engineers typically work in teams with constant communication. There are several functional groups in engineering organizations including research and development, design, manufacturing, and sales. Within these groups, engineers are responsible for ensuring systems operate safely while designers focus on aesthetics and ergonomics.

Uploaded by

Lynx101
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
28 views3 pages

Engineering Functions: Teamwork

Engineering involves applying science and mathematics to make nature's resources useful for structures, machines, and processes. Engineers typically work in teams with constant communication. There are several functional groups in engineering organizations including research and development, design, manufacturing, and sales. Within these groups, engineers are responsible for ensuring systems operate safely while designers focus on aesthetics and ergonomics.

Uploaded by

Lynx101
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Engineering Functions

Engineering – the art of making things work

Engineering is the application of science and mathematics by which the properties of matter
and the sources of energy in nature are made useful to people in structures, machines,
products, systems and processes.

Teamwork

Engineers typically work in a team environment with constant communication – you may have
one person from each functional area or several depending on the size and complexity of the
project.

Organization of Functional Groups


• Research and Development
• Design
• Manufacturing
• Sales
• Purchasing
• Service
• Subcontractors

Organization of Skills
• Engineers – responsible for ensuring that systems and devices are specified to operate
within their theoretical limits, specify materials and sizes of parts & assemblies so
failures do not occur.
• Designers – responsible for product’s fit and finish – ergonomics & aesthetics.
• Packaging Engineers – ensure the product is packaged properly to avoid damage, etc.
• Drafters – responsible for documentation.
• Fabricators – making parts according to specifications.
• Inspectors – ensure that the products meet the specifications.
• Technicians – responsible for operation and maintenance – they assemble various
components to create working devices or structures, operate them, and maintain them.

What Does an Engineer Do?

Engineering Functions

Research
 Research engineers are knowledgeable in principles of chemistry, biology,
physics, and mathematics.
 Computer know-how is also recommended.
 A Masters Degree is almost always required, and a Ph. D is often strongly
recommended.

DMH 12/30/2010 Page 1 of 3


Development
 Development engineers bridge the gap between the laboratory and the
production facility.
 They also identify problems in a potential product by building prototypes.
 An example is the development of concept cars for companies like Ford and GM.

Testing
 Testing engineers are responsible for testing the durability and reliability of a
product and making sure that it performs how it is supposed to. Testing
engineers simulate instances and environments in which a product would be
used.
 Crash testing of a vehicle to observe effects of an air bag and crumple zone are
examples of a testing engineer’s duties.

Design
 The design aspect is where largest number of engineers are employed.
 Design engineers often work on components of a product, providing all the
necessary specifics needed to successfully manufacture the product.
 Design engineers regularly use computer design software as well as computer
aided drafting software in their jobs.
 Design engineers must also verify that the part meets reliability and safety
standards required for the product.
 A concern always on the mind of design engineers is how to keep the
development of a part cost effective, which is taken into account during the
design process.

Analysis
 Analysis engineers use computational tools and mathematical models to enrich
the work of design and research engineers.
 Analysis engineers typically have a mastery of: heat transfer, fluid flow,
vibrations, dynamics, acoustics, and many other system characteristics.

Systems
 Responsible on a larger scale for bringing together components of parts from
design engineers to make a complete product.
 Responsible for making sure all components of a product work together as was
intended by the design engineers.

Manufacturing & Construction


 Work individually or in teams
 Responsible for transforming raw materials into finished product.
 Keep records of processes and equipment.
 Help with design process to keep costs low.

DMH 12/30/2010 Page 2 of 3


Operations & Maintenance
 Responsible for setting up and maintaining the production line.
 Must have technical know-how to deal with problems.
 Responsible for inspecting the facility and equipment. Must be certified in
various inspection methods.

Technical Support
 Works between sales, customers and producers.
 Typically will have knowledge of the technical aspects of product.
 Must have good interpersonal skills.

Sales
 Sales engineers have technical background, but are also able to communicate
effectively with customers.
 The job market for sales engineers is growing, due to the fact that products are
becoming more and more technically complex.

Consulting
 Consultants are either self-employed, or work for a firm that does not directly
manufacture products.
 Consulting engineers might be involved in design, installation, and upkeep of a
product.
 Sometimes required to be a registered professional engineer in the state where
he/she works.
 Consultants are typically required to have expertise within the areas where they
are consulting.

Note: At smaller companies, a single engineer will tend to do most of these functions. At
larger companies, especially if working on large scale projects, an engineer will tend to work
mostly within one functional area.

DMH 12/30/2010 Page 3 of 3

You might also like