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What does a technical design engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

A technical design engineer specializes in designing a company's products and systems, ensuring quality and efficiency. Among their responsibilities include performing extensive research and analysis, understanding and identifying the needs of every project, developing prototypes and test structures, and coordinating with experts. There are also instances when they must conduct maintenance checks on current systems, executing repairs when necessary. Furthermore, as a technical design engineer, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff, coordinating them while enforcing the company's policies and regulations.

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Technical design engineer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real technical design engineer resumes:

  • Implement safety and quality standards to attain the ISO certification.
  • Used Solidworks to design test and production assembly fixtures.
  • Render images for the web site and trade show display in SolidWorks.
  • Work are performed to the ANSI Y14.5 geometric dimensioning and tolerance standard.
  • Serve as interface engineer between ComEd and A/E firms (Sargent & Lundy / Bechtel).
  • Experience in specification writing, installation scheduling, and produce drawings in architectural, HVAC and electrical disciplines.
  • Research and assist in the development of operation and maintenance manuals for HVAC equipment in NYC public schools.
  • Graph and analyze RF radiation patterns of antennas and specifications verification.
  • Design test fixture and assess mounting rigidity of hypoid gear assembly as per Gleason's recommendations using FEA and analytical verification.
  • Develop new products, produce prototypes and ultimately submit viable product samples to UL for verification working in conjunction with sales/marketing.
  • Design the new and innovative RRH mounting system that are key to the successful product release.
  • Prepare design documentation and release to production AirScale RRH mounting configurations.

Technical design engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 13% of Technical Design Engineers are proficient in Design Drawings, Windows, and Infrastructure. They’re also known for soft skills such as Listening skills, Mechanical skills, and Problem-solving skills.

We break down the percentage of Technical Design Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Design Drawings, 13%

    Collaborated with owners and contractors on design drawings.

  • Windows, 11%

    Coordinated all regulatory matters relating to new computer products resulting in no missed product market windows.

  • Infrastructure, 8%

    Provide detailed documentation on Corp engineering infrastructure and mentored Shanghai site admins and India contractors.

  • GIS, 5%

    Utilize internal GIS (Geographic Information System) to create detailed construction plans.

  • Control Systems, 4%

    distributed control systems for the paper production and pharmaceutical industries.

  • UL, 4%

    Developed new products, produced prototypes and ultimately submitted viable product samples to UL for verification working in conjunction with sales/marketing.

Common skills that a technical design engineer uses to do their job include "design drawings," "windows," and "infrastructure." You can find details on the most important technical design engineer responsibilities below.

Listening skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a technical design engineer to have is listening skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists." Technical design engineers often use listening skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "communicated closely with sand cast suppliers on prototype builds, and executed suggested design changes. "

Mechanical skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling technical design engineer duties is mechanical skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems." According to a technical design engineer resume, here's how technical design engineers can utilize mechanical skills in their job responsibilities: "utilized equipment manufacturer information for process, mechanical and electrical equipment to be included in the construction drawings. "

Problem-solving skills. technical design engineers are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to technical design engineer responsibilities, because "mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products." A technical design engineer resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "designed solutions using auto cad and land that was distributed to highway engineers. "

Creativity. technical design engineer responsibilities often require "creativity." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery." This resume example shows what technical design engineers do with creativity on a typical day: "gained proficient skills using microsoft excel, powerpoint, autodesk autocad, and autodesk inventor. "

Math skills. Another crucial skill for a technical design engineer to carry out their responsibilities is "math skills." A big part of what technical design engineers relies on this skill, since "mechanical engineers use the principles of calculus, statistics, and other advanced subjects in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." How this skill relates to technical design engineer duties can be seen in an example from a technical design engineer resume snippet: "utilized ansys software to optimize the geometry of the designed structure"

Most common technical design engineer skills

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Compare different technical design engineers

Technical design engineer vs. Engineering technician

An Engineering Technician's duties vary according to the industry or company, whether mechanical, industrial, civil, agricultural, or more. However, most of the time, the responsibilities often revolve around resolving technical issues, working with and assisting Engineers in building, assembling, designing, gathering and testing data, and conducting more manual activities. Furthermore, Engineering Technicians can specialize and work in various fields after a certain training period, closely mentored or monitored by an engineer or someone with extensive expertise.

The annual salary of engineering technicians is $15,326 lower than the average salary of technical design engineers.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both technical design engineer and engineering technician positions are skilled in windows, gis, and ul.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, technical design engineer responsibilities require skills like "design drawings," "infrastructure," "control systems," and "architectural drawings." Meanwhile a typical engineering technician has skills in areas such as "asphalt," "construction materials," "cad," and "hand tools." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Engineering technicians earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $76,126. On the other hand, technical design engineers are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $97,192.engineering technicians tend to reach similar levels of education than technical design engineers. In fact, engineering technicians are 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Technical design engineer vs. Design technician

A design technician's role revolves around conducting extensive research and analysis to determine a company's needs. The technician will develop system plans and collaborate with fellow technicians and engineers. There are also instances where a design technician has to craft presentations and hand in proposals, revising them when necessary. Furthermore, a design technician must produce progress reports, abide by managers' directions, and adhere to the company's policies and regulations.

A career as a design technician brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a technical design engineer. In fact, design technicians salary is $13,311 lower than the salary of technical design engineers per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Technical design engineers and design technicians both require similar skills like "design drawings," "windows," and "gis" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real technical design engineer resumes. While technical design engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "infrastructure," "control systems," "ul," and "technical support," design technicians use skills like "revit," "civil 3d," "work ethic," and "html css."

Average education levels between the two professions vary. Design technicians tend to reach similar levels of education than technical design engineers. In fact, they're 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Technical design engineer vs. Engineer

Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.

On average scale, engineers bring in higher salaries than technical design engineers. In fact, they earn a $16,478 higher salary per year.technical design engineers and engineers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "windows," "control systems," and "technical support," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a technical design engineer is likely to be skilled in "design drawings," "infrastructure," "gis," and "ul," while a typical engineer is skilled in "python," "cloud," "c #," and "aws."

Engineers earn the best pay in the automotive industry, where they command an average salary of $97,672. Technical design engineers earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $97,192.engineers typically earn higher educational levels compared to technical design engineers. Specifically, they're 7.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Technical design engineer vs. Staff engineer

Staff engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and inspecting various products, equipment, or structures. These professionals may perform varied duties depending on their specialization that includes overseeing the design and construction of buildings, bridges, sewer systems, and other infrastructure, estimating the financial costs of construction projects, and ensuring compliance with health and safety laws and regulations. Other duties include designing and developing machinery, tools, and engines, solving design problems, and building the manufacturing equipment needed to create their products.

Staff engineers typically earn higher pay than technical design engineers. On average, staff engineers earn a $31,931 higher salary per year.While their salaries may vary, technical design engineers and staff engineers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "windows," "gis," and "control systems. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A technical design engineer uses "design drawings," "infrastructure," "ul," and "architectural drawings." Staff engineers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "java," "python," "architecture," and "software development. "In general, staff engineers earn the most working in the telecommunication industry, with an average salary of $119,079. The highest-paying industry for a technical design engineer is the technology industry.staff engineers reach higher levels of education compared to technical design engineers, in general. The difference is that they're 10.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 2.8% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of technical design engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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