STEM Careers Coalition: Product Design and Analysis Engineer
Product Design and Analysis Engineers thoroughly investigate products to assess how they have performed throughout their lifecycles, before determining potential improvements that could be made. Using the power of holistic assessment, they help optimize future designs and functionality.
WHO ARE THEY? 
A product design and analysis engineer is responsible for assessing how a
product performed throughout its lifecycle and determining how it could be
improved upon. An important step in innovation is the process of examining
the effectiveness of a product that is already in the market or already being
used in order to figure out how it could function more efficiently, how it could
be made more cost-effective, or even how it could be created more quickly—
and that is the job of a product design and analysis engineer. Even seemingly
tiny adjustments could mean millions of dollars saved during production or
could mean huge improvements in the usability of a product, so roles like
this one are critical for a company like Boeing that is constantly innovating
and improving. If you are someone who is never fully satisfied and is always
striving to do better and go further, you might make a great product design
and analysis engineer.
WHAT DO THEY DO?  
Product design and analysis engineers are professionals who help companies
turn great products into truly excellent ones. At a company like Boeing, this
person might take apart a decommissioned aircraft—both via a computer
simulation and physically take it apart—and analyze its components. For
example, a product design and analysis engineer could set out to understand
how changing the design of the wing of that aircraft could make a difference
to the functioning of the whole aircraft. They might determine that a slight
adjustment to the wing design could lessen the drag on the aircraft, therefore
making the whole aircraft fly more efficiently. Their holistic assessment might
also include communicating with design engineers, supply management, and
third-party suppliers to understand requirements and current manufacturing
processes. All of this would result in an analysis and assessment that would
help the team to optimize future designs and functionality
HOW DO I BECOME ONE?  
Mechanical engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in mechanical
engineering or a related STEM discipline, and some positions may require
a master’s degree. Aspiring mechanical engineers should focus on building
skills in mathematics, life and physical sciences, and engineering and
design, beginning in high school. Students should take courses such
as algebra, calculus, statistics, biology, physics, and computer science,
along with courses like CAD where available, to build these competencies.
Mechanical engineers will also need strong problem-solving and
communications skills, along with plenty of creativity.
Video Length 3:44

Engineering Topics
Machines
Engineer (Mechanical)
Middle School, High School
6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, 9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade

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