What does a graduate engineer do?
A graduate engineer can work in different engineering subspecialties, such as mechanical, civil, chemical, aerospace, and electrical. Most graduate engineers work on projects while under the supervision and directives of a supervisor or senior engineer. Their duties usually involve identifying and understanding project requirements, conducting research and assessments, completing surveys, and preparing models using different tools and software. Additionally, a graduate engineer can also create designs and prototypes according to project requirements and guidelines, producing regular progress reports for supervisors.
Graduate engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real graduate engineer resumes:
- Lead the correction of production critical issues to increase beer availability, productivity, OEE and machine availability.
- Design fixtures and tools using SolidWorks.
- Field experience working on HMI, Bosch and Siemens PLC and vary sensors.
- Support the acceptance testing for the PLC programming, control panels and remote I/O panels.
- General knowledge in conducting a near-field and far-field RF ATP for in-house and installation testing.
- Promote to current position after a few months having demonstrate knowledge of computers and RF.
- Tack various network issues like Cisco network routing and security, IP conflict, firewalls.
- Assist process planning, process validation, FMEA, and statistical process control for parts machining process.
- Perform FMEA to discover the potential failures and improving the reliability of the equipment by limiting the failure modes.
- Utilize an understanding of IP configuration schemes, with routing knowledge and basic networking skills on a daily basis.
- Fix hundreds of unit tests and write new unit and functional UI tests to improve code coverage for the tests.
- Modele components like crank, gears, steering wheel, flange using Pro/Engineer 2001 and perform stress analysis using ANSYS.
- Design and implement FPGA base mobile phone controller that reduce cost, provide a simpler design cycle and tremendously improve speed.
- Design and build machine modifications utilizing Solidworks.
- Operate locomotives to transport passengers between stations.
Graduate engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Graduate Engineers are proficient in Civil 3D, Cost Estimates, and Project Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Initiative, Interpersonal skills, and Speaking skills.
We break down the percentage of Graduate Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Civil 3D, 11%
Planned, designed and prepared sets of grading and drainage plans using civil 3D.
- Cost Estimates, 10%
Developed site layouts and grading plans using AutoCAD software * Calculated material quantity requirements and cost estimates for projects
- Project Management, 7%
Attended Quality School program in South Carolina learning about Quality Systems and Project Management basics.
- GIS, 6%
Utilized GIS to identify existing underground utilities and determine system inefficiencies.
- C++, 5%
Designed and implemented production information systems using C++ for CNC-machines.
- Calculation, 4%
Prepared spreadsheets in Microsoft excel for basic engineering calculations.
Most graduate engineers use their skills in "civil 3d," "cost estimates," and "project management" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential graduate engineer responsibilities here:
Initiative. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a graduate engineer to have is initiative. Their role and responsibilities require that "electrical and electronics engineers must apply their knowledge to new tasks in every project they undertake." Graduate engineers often use initiative in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "assisted npi team with rapid prototyping and production planning for new product development initiative. "
Interpersonal skills. Many graduate engineer duties rely on interpersonal skills. "electrical and electronics engineers must work with others during the manufacturing process to ensure that their plans are implemented correctly," so a graduate engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways graduate engineer responsibilities rely on interpersonal skills: "strengthened interpersonal skills by training and working alongside product builders, diagnosing problems and finding solutions throughout the product assembly process. "
Speaking skills. graduate engineers are also known for speaking skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to graduate engineer responsibilities, because "electrical and electronics engineers work closely with other engineers and technicians." A graduate engineer resume example shows how speaking skills is used in the workplace: "designed and presented comprehensive cad model and value stream analysis for a topical care wound dressing system. "
Writing skills. For certain graduate engineer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "writing skills." The day-to-day duties of a graduate engineer rely on this skill, as "electrical and electronics engineers develop technical publications related to equipment they develop, including maintenance manuals, operation manuals, parts lists, product proposals, and design methods documents." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what graduate engineers do: "managed geotechnical projects from coordinating with field personnel to writing and submitting reports to clients. "
Math skills. Another crucial skill for a graduate engineer to carry out their responsibilities is "math skills." A big part of what graduate engineers relies on this skill, since "electrical and electronics engineers must use the principles of calculus and other advanced math in order to analyze, design, and troubleshoot equipment." How this skill relates to graduate engineer duties can be seen in an example from a graduate engineer resume snippet: "performed statistical analysis of data for research based programs * gathered quantitative data for research and instrument analysis * in projects"
The three companies that hire the most graduate engineers are:
- HBK Engineering49 graduate engineers jobs
- Walter P Moore46 graduate engineers jobs
- MSA Professional Services24 graduate engineers jobs
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Graduate engineer vs. Engineering trainee
An engineering trainee is responsible for shadowing engineers in their duties and performing administrative tasks as needed. Engineering trainees assist the engineers in inspecting construction sites and conducting field research. They also identify cost-efficient materials and resources that meet quality standards and client specifications. An engineering trainee must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in writing reports, attending meetings, and ensuring that all reports are submitted for management's reviews, such as contracts from suppliers and vendors.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between graduate engineers and engineering trainee. For instance, graduate engineer responsibilities require skills such as "civil 3d," "cost estimates," "project management," and "gis." Whereas a engineering trainee is skilled in "excellent interpersonal," "fire protection," "boilers," and "python." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Engineering trainees tend to make the most money working in the energy industry, where they earn an average salary of $63,253. In contrast, graduate engineers make the biggest average salary, $71,623, in the manufacturing industry.On average, engineering trainees reach similar levels of education than graduate engineers. Engineering trainees are 1.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Graduate engineer vs. Design engineer internship
When it comes to a design engineer internship, an intern is primarily responsible for performing support tasks while under the supervision and directives of a manager or a more experienced engineer. Their duties typically revolve around processing documents, updating records and populating databases, responding to inquiries and correspondence, running errands, sharing insights, and even participating in designing projects. Furthermore, as an intern, it is essential to report to the supervising manager and adhere to the company's policies and regulations.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, graduate engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "civil 3d," "cost estimates," "project management," and "gis." Meanwhile, a design engineer internship has duties that require skills in areas such as "python," "rf," "level analysis," and "verilog." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Design engineer interns earn a lower average salary than graduate engineers. But design engineer interns earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $62,117. Additionally, graduate engineers earn the highest salaries in the manufacturing with average pay of $71,623 annually.In general, design engineer interns achieve similar levels of education than graduate engineers. They're 2.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for graduate engineers in the next 3-5 years?
There are going to be two types of technology that will be critical. One is those technologies related to the essential functions of the soil and crop industries. These include an understanding of precision applications, remote sensing and interpretation, robotics, and genomics. New graduates need to be technically competent in these areas. The other set of technologies relates to how well you can create interpersonal relationships.
Many of us are currently on a learning curve when it comes to remote meetings due to COVID-19. Private communication is likely to accelerate because we are beginning to appreciate many of this system's advantages. Along with being effective in an on-line forum, it will be essential to know how to communicate through social media. This will include etiquette, creativity, and understanding of the opportunities and challenges of evolving platforms.
Graduate engineer vs. Process engineer internship
A process engineering intern performs various tasks for an organization. These include collaborating with the technical team on cost savings, process efficiency improvements, and technology advancement, attending meetings with leadership teams, and participating in customer trials. Additionally, they may assist with the leadership or management teams in creating standard operating procedures. They are responsible for coordinating with engineers and work on projects assigned by the leadership. Ideal candidates for this role must have a degree in mechanical or industrial engineering, excellent communication skills, and knowledge and experience in process observation.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, graduate engineers are more likely to have skills like "civil 3d," "cost estimates," "project management," and "gis." But a process engineer internship is more likely to have skills like "process engineering," "process improvement," "continuous improvement," and "powerpoint."
When it comes to education, process engineer interns tend to earn similar degree levels compared to graduate engineers. In fact, they're 1.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Graduate engineer vs. Project engineer internship
When it comes to a project engineer internship, one of the primary responsibilities is to follow the directives of engineers and managers while earning practical experience. Most of the duties will revolve around processing documents, answering calls and correspondence, participating in various projects, assisting engineers in basic tasks, and organizing inventory and supplies. There may also be instances when an intern may take part in presentations and attend meetings. Furthermore, it is essential to coordinate with supervising managers while adhering to all rules.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between graduate engineers and project engineer interns, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a graduate engineer might have more use for skills like "civil 3d," "calculation," "design calculations," and "product development." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of project engineer interns require skills like "powerpoint," "rfi," "cad," and "meeting minutes. "
In general, project engineer interns hold similar degree levels compared to graduate engineers. Project engineer interns are 2.0% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of graduate engineer
Updated January 8, 2025











