Job Profile
Development Engineer
Development engineers solve problems. They optimize existing products and technical processes, and design and develop new solutions. The basis for optimization often lies in the goals set by the management in areas such as production, quality, and cost. New products and processes are developed primarily based on customer needs and requirements, as well as market observations.
Development Engineer Job Profile
What Is A Development Engineer?
Development engineers solve problems. They optimize existing products and technical processes, and design and develop new solutions. The basis for optimization often lies in the goals set by the management in areas such as production, quality, and cost. New products and processes are developed primarily based on customer needs and requirements, as well as market observations.
Development engineers are in demand in almost every larger company in nearly every industry. They are particularly prominent in the automotive industry, mechanical and plant engineering, as well as the electrical industry. Their work covers a wide spectrum ranging from vehicle technology and automation engineering to manufacturing technology and household appliances.
To be successful as a development engineer, high technical competence and creativity are required. A keen sense of design, business acumen, strong customer orientation, resilience, interest in marketing aspects, and foreign language skills are also important prerequisites.
What Are The Tasks Of A Development Engineer?
A development engineer has the main task of creating innovative and market-oriented technical solutions by using resources such as time, money, personnel, materials, and energy efficiently. They evaluate various solution approaches through feasibility studies to assess their feasibility and impact.
Specifically, the development engineer collects new ideas and first translates them into sketches. Using software such as Computer-Aided Design (CAD), they develop 3D models and eventually prototypes. They internally discuss the solution with research and development, production, and marketing departments to clarify its acceptance, marketability, relevance, and implementation possibilities. Externally, they collaborate with customers to customize the presented solution according to their needs.
In basic research, the development engineer keeps track of scientific advancements and examines them for economically feasible applications and utilization opportunities. As a result, they also influence the dissemination of new technologies.
The tasks of a development engineer include:
- Optimizing existing products and processes
- Identifying, analyzing, and evaluating trends
- Developing new products and technical procedures
- Working with software such as CAD and MATLAB
- Creating sketches, drawings, models, and prototypes
- Testing prototypes and evaluating the results
- Conducting meetings and presentations to showcase the results internally and externally
- Aligning the product with customer, market, and company requirements
- Managing employees
- Administrative processes
What Specializations Are There For Development Engineers?
According to the Association of German Engineers (VDI), development engineers are highly practice-oriented in their field of work. They work either in research and development or in design and planning. Development engineers are represented in various industries, similar to other engineers. Particularly popular areas include automotive engineering, the automotive industry, the supplier industry, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, energy generation, as well as safety and medical technology. The professional profile of development engineers is diverse. For example, in automotive engineering, they may be involved in the design and production of prototypes, while in mechanical and plant engineering, they can calculate, further develop, optimize, and build models of systems.
Find qualified Development Engineers.
How Do You Become A Development Engineer?
Development engineers must have completed a relevant degree program, either at a university or a technical college, similar to other engineers. Suitable fields of study may include mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or process engineering, for example. While a bachelor’s degree is considered professionally qualifying, for positions in research and development, it is recommended to have at least a master’s degree or even a doctorate to gain in-depth technical expertise.
During their studies, students should already focus on specific areas, for example, through internships in research or design departments of companies. Professional experience in other related fields is only required in exceptional cases. Typically, one can directly enter professional life as a development engineer, as the specific domain knowledge is further developed within the company. Some companies also offer trainee programs.
In addition to technical knowledge, creativity, motivation, sense of responsibility, teamwork, and communication skills are considered desirable qualities. Development engineers, like other engineers, are increasingly working internationally. Therefore, fluent English is usually mandatory in most cases.
How Much Does A Development Engineer Earn?
In Germany, the average salary of a development engineer is around €5,000 gross per month, which amounts to approximately €60,000 per year. The salary range varies depending on factors such as the company, educational attainment (bachelor’s, master’s, or diploma), professional experience, and skills, typically ranging between €48,000 and €81,000 per year. Similar to other professions, the monthly income of a development engineer depends on several factors, including:
- Industry
- Company size
- Company location
- Professional experience
- Additional skills
The starting salary for a junior development engineer with a bachelor’s degree is approximately €3,100 per month, which translates to around €37,000 per year. With a master’s degree, the starting salary increases by about €3,000. As professional experience and responsibilities within the company grow, so does the salary. In general, the range is between approximately €3,800 and €5,300 per month, or roughly €45,600 to €63,600 per year. Senior development engineers can earn a monthly salary of up to €7,750, amounting to around €93,000 per year.
What Career Opportunities Are There For Development Engineers?
Despite the uncertain economic situation due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, engineers remain in high demand in the job market, especially in the innovation hub of Germany. Companies are undergoing transformation processes where new developments are essential, giving development engineers an advantage. Digitalization is being driven across all industries, and the automotive sector, for example, is aiming to transition to e-mobility.
The VDI (Association of German Engineers) also predicts significant future potential for engineers in general, and particularly for development engineers, especially in the fields of computer science and renewable energy. Large companies with their own research and development departments are especially interested in hiring development engineers, as reported by the VDI. Smaller companies may be more inclined to hire design engineers who are responsible for product or process improvement.
Find Qualified Freelance-Experts.
Your Contact Person
Sören Elser
Co-founder of ElevateX GmbH and your contact for the strategic use of freelancers.