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What are the best Engineering job titles for you and your team? I reviewed 265 Engineering titles searched for by candidates (and employers!) to find the best titles for you to choose from. This is the latest chapter in Ongig’s series called Job Titles: The Definitive Guide.
In this article, you’ll find:
- Types of Engineering — 15 types of engineering with examples of top companies currently hiring these types of engineers.
- Engineering Hierarchy — The standard org chart for Engineering department positions with examples from each of the major 6 Engineering levels. I include examples of top employers and what they call their titles.
- The Top 30 Most Searched-For Engineering Titles — A column chart of the top 30 Engineering positions that candidates search for on Google.
- 22 Engineering Job Titles and Descriptions — A list of the top 22 Engineering job titles and descriptions that employers request.
- Funny Engineering Job Titles – A few funny job titles we found for engineers.
What are the types of engineering?
There are many hundreds of job titles when recruiting engineers. Here are 15 top engineering disciplines with examples of companies hiring engineers for them:
- Aerospace Engineering (NASA)
- Biomedical Engineering (Kaiser Permanente)
- Chemical Engineering (Tesla)
- Civil Engineering (Department of Energy)
- Computer Engineering (AT&T)
- Data Engineering (Salesforce)
- Electrical Engineering (General Electric)
- Environmental Engineering (Chevron)
- Hardware Engineering (Apple)
- Network Engineering (Pinterest)
- Manufacturing Engineer (Amazon)
- Mechanical Engineering (Facebook)
- Quality Engineering (Honeywell)
- Robotics Engineering (Postmates)
- Software Engineering (Google)
Developer vs Engineer
A quick note on software engineering. Although the companies above hire engineers, some also hire developers.We have found that these job titles can be used interchangeably. You can read more about the developer vs engineer debate in our top 50 software developer job titles blog.
For this blog, we decided to focus on job titles with the word “engineer” or “engineering” in them. Now, let’s have a look at a typical org chart of engineering job titles.
Engineering Hierarchy
Below is an engineering hierarchy chart with top seniority listed at the top down to entry-level jobs at the bottom:
- Chief Engineer – Chief Engineering Officer, Head of Engineering,
- VP Engineering – Vice President of Engineering, Engineering Executive, VP Software Engineering
- Director of Engineering – Principal Engineer, Lead Engineer, Director Engineering
- Engineering Manager – Software Engineering Manager, Engineering Program Manager, Manager of Engineering, Principal Software Engineering Manager, Senior Engineering Manager
- Individual Contributors – Software Engineer, Network Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Quality Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Engineer, Data Engineer, Product Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Engineering Technician
- Entry Level – Engineering Intern, Apprentice Engineer, Engineering Aide, Engineering Clerk, Entry Level Engineer, New Grad Engineer, Junior Engineer.
Here’s a longer list of titles by each row of the pyramid with little more texture on each:
Job Titles for Engineering Leaders
Top engineering leaders do not always have the word “engineer” in their title. At Adobe, the Chief Information Officer, Abhay Parasnis, is responsible for leading the engineering department. The current Chief Technical Officer at Siemens, Ankur Rawat, leads the engineering team and is an engineer himself.
Below are the top 5 titles I found candidates and employers using for Engineering leaders.
- Chief Engineer (Lockheed Martin)
- Head of Engineering (Airbnb)
- Chief Engineering Officer (Salesforce)
- Chief Information Officer (CIO)
- Chief Technical Officer (CTO)
VP of Engineering Titles
Here are the top titles I found candidates and employers using for Engineering Vice President titles:
- VP Engineering (FitBit)
- Vice President of Engineering (Zazzle, Inc.)
- VP of Engineering (HPE)
- Engineering Executive
- Vice President Engineering (Yelp)
- VP Software Engineering
- Vice President Software Engineering
- Executive Vice President of Engineering (Zendesk)
Director of Engineering Titles
Here are the most used Engineering director titles:
- Director of Engineering (Glassdoor)
- Principal Engineer (Automattic)
- Lead Engineer (Magic Leap)
- Director Engineering (Instacart)
- Director of Software Engineering (Salesforce)
- Systems Engineering Director
- Director of Mechanical Engineering (Samsung)
- Director of Manufacturing Engineering (JUUL Labs)
- Civil Engineering Director
Engineering Manager Titles
There are numerous Engineering Manager alternative titles to use. Here are the top job titles I found candidates and employers using:
- Engineering Manager (Redfin)
- Software Engineering Manager (Zillow)
- Mechanical Engineering Manager (Lyft)
- Industrial Engineering Manager (Ulta Beauty)
- Sales Engineering Manager (Google)
- Manufacturing Engineering Manager (Tesla)
- Electrical Engineering Manager (Northrop Grumman)
- Senior Engineering Manager (HPE)
- Civil Engineering Manager (Shell)
- Engineering Program Manager (Apple)
- Design Engineering Manager (DoorDash)
- Project Engineering Manager (Duke Energy)
- Automation Engineering Manager (Facebook)
- Manager of Engineering (Splunk)
Individual Contributor Engineering Titles
When you get to the individual contributor level of Engineering positions, there is more granularity. Here are the top 25 I found candidates and employers using:
- Software Engineer (Elastic.co)
- Network Engineer (Pinterest)
- Mechanical Engineer (JUMP Bikes)
- Quality Engineer (Honeywell)
- Electrical Engineer (Samsara)
- Engineer (Google)
- Data Engineer (Salesforce)
- Product Engineer (Y Combinator)
- Manufacturing Engineer (Amazon)
- Engineering Technician (Tesla)
- Machine Learning Engineer (Facebook)
- Chemical Engineer (Duke Energy)
- Civil Engineer (Kimley-Horn)
- DevOps Engineer (Glassdoor)
- Design Engineer (Uber)
- Systems Engineer (Cloudflare)
- Computer Engineer (AT&T)
- System Engineer (TripActions)
- Automation Engineer (Apple)
- Field Engineer (Microsoft)
- Industrial Engineer (Home Depot)
- Security Engineer (Zendesk)
- Computer Hardware Engineer (Cisco)
- QA Engineer (Lyft)
- Environmental Engineer (Chevron)
Entry-Level Engineering Job Titles
Here are the top 20 entry-level Engineering titles I found candidates and employers using:
- Entry Level Software Engineer (Reynolds and Reynolds)
- New Grad Software Engineer (L3Harris)
- Junior Software Engineer (Google)
- Entry Level Network Engineer
- Junior Network Engineer (Booz Allen Hamilton)
- Engineering Intern (Red Hat)
- Entry Level Data Engineer
- Software Engineer Intern (Capital One)
- Apprentice Engineer (Linkedin)
- Junior Data Engineer
- Engineering Aide (Lockheed Martin)
- Civil Engineering Intern
- Mechanical Engineering Intern (Facebook)
- Entry Level Embedded Software Engineer
- Electrical Engineering Intern (Apple)
- Engineering Clerk (Kohler)
- Process Engineering Intern (Tiffany & Co.)
- Chemical Engineering Intern (Tesla)
- Manufacturing Engineering Intern
- Design Engineering Intern
Top Engineering Job Titles (Candidates)
Below is a list of the top 30 Engineering job titles based on Google queries we found on ahrefs.
Software Engineer is the top searched-for job by candidates and also the most requested engineering job description by employers (see Top 22 list below).
Top 22 Engineering Job Titles and Descriptions (Employers)
Below are the top 22 Engineering Job Description titles employers request on Google, according to ahrefs.
I’ve included a brief description for each as well as the # of job title searches per month by employers.
Software Engineer
A Software Engineer designs computer software. A Software Engineer is also responsible for:
- Software Development
- Software Systems Maintenance
- Software Evaluation
- Software Testing
# of job title searches per month: 4,100
Electrical Engineer
An Electrical Engineer designs and develops electrical systems and equipment. An Electrical Engineer tests and manages the manufacturing of electrical devices like phones, motors, and power equipment. An Electrical Engineer may also develop new processes or standards for electrical product manufacturing.
# of job title searches per month: 1,200
Systems Engineer
A Systems Engineer develops and implements computer network systems for an organization. A Systems Engineer is also responsible for:
- Testing Software and Servers
- Improving Systems Processes
- Upgrading Hardware
- Managing Server Workstations and Network Computers
# of job title searches per month: 1,200; System Engineer: 1,000; Network Engineer: 1,000
Data Engineer
A Data Engineering collaborates with the data science team to build data solutions for a company. A Data Engineer develops information processes for data management, data acquisition, data migration, and data mining. Using various programming languages, a Data Engineer create a company’s data infrastructure.
# of job title searches per month: 1,100
Project Engineer
A Project Engineer manages large engineering projects. A Project Engineer is responsible for:
- Coordinating Engineering Project Teams
- Scheduling Project Milestones
- Assessing Risks
- Acquiring Project Resources
- Off-site Project Supervision
# of job title searches per month: 1,100; Field Engineer: 300, Field Service Engineer: 250
Mechanical Engineer
A Mechanical Engineer is part of the design, testing, and production of various mechanical products for a company. A Mechanical Engineer develops prototypes for testing, oversees the manufacturing process, and investigates equipment failures. A Mechanical Engineer works across many industries and develops products like medical devices, electric generators, batteries, and elevators.
# of job title searches per month: 800
Quality Engineer
A Quality Engineer monitors the quality of an organization’s processes and fixes any issues that arise. A Quality Engineer is responsible for:
- Designing Quality Standards
- Testing Product & Process Quality
- Collaborating with Engineering Team to Improve Quality
# of job title searches per month: 800; QA Engineer: 300
Civil Engineer
A Civil Engineer supervises and designs the construction of major public works projects. A Civil Engineer monitors the construction of bridges, dams, airports, and highways and also acts as a point of contact with government officials. A Civil Engineer also creates documents for project updates and technical reports.
# of job title searches per month: 800
Manufacturing Engineer
A Manufacturing Engineer develops and improves the manufacturing process for a company by studying manufacturing and product methods. A Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for:
- Designing research programs to evaluate the manufacturing process
- Improving manufacturing efficiency by studying workflow and resource management
- Testing products after manufacturing
- Maintaining manufacturing regulatory compliance
# of job title searches per month: 700; Product Engineer: 350
Engineer
An Engineer is a broad term for a professional who designs, builds, or maintains machines. An Engineer applies science and math principles to solve real-life problems and design products to meet consumer needs. An Engineer also tests prototypes, supervise production, estimate project costs, and monitor efficiency. The role of an Engineer may vary by industry, but has also has similarities.
# of job title searches per month: 700; Engineering Technician: 200
DevOps Engineer
A DevOps Engineer works with software developers and IT team members to facilitate code releases. A DevOps Engineer is responsible for:
- Improving IT Infrastructure
- Optimizing Release Cycles
- Software Automation
# of job title searches per month: 500; Automation Engineer: 200
Security Engineer
A Security Engineer builds security systems and firewalls to protect organizations from cyber threats. A Security Engineer conducts security assessments, conduct tests, and create reports for senior management. A Security Engineer also evaluates new security options and makes recommendations.
# of job title searches per month: 350
Computer Hardware Engineer
A Computer Hardware Engineer designs and develops the physical equipment that makes up a computer. A Computer Hardware Engineer is responsible for:
- Researching new types of hardware
- Developing hardware
- Testing hardware
- Resolving hardware issues
# of job title searches per month: 300
Chemical Engineer
A Chemical Engineer designs systems and equipment used for chemical engineering processes. A Chemical Engineer produces a variety of chemicals used for production and manufacturing like fuels, fertilizers, and pharmaceuticals.
# of job title searches per month: 250
Design Engineer
A Design Engineer creates products and systems in various engineering fields. A Design Engineer focuses on the science of how things are made and works for construction companies, research firms, product manufacturers, and government organizations.
# of job title searches per month: 250
Nuclear Engineer
A Nuclear Engineer researches and develops processes related to nuclear energy and radiation. A Nuclear Engineer is responsible for designing safe systems to use electricity and radioactive materials for the medical industry, power companies, and industrial production.
# of job title searches per month: 250
UX Engineer
A UX Engineer, also known as a User Experience Engineer, conceptualized and creates a user flow experience for customers. A UX Engineer evaluates existing applications and recommends user experience improvements. A UX Engineer also does initial studies with potential users to improve customer experience.
# of job title searches per month: 250
Environmental Engineer
An Environmental Engineer finds solutions to handle environmental waster and pollution. An Environmental Engineer applies physical, chemical, and biological principles to prevent and to solve problems related to the environment. An Environmental Engineer studies microorganisms and how they affect communities.
# of job title searches per month: 200
Chief Engineer
A Chief Engineer is the head of an engineering department. A Chief Engineer leads a team of engineers to complete different projects related to software, hardware, civil, and other engineering specialties. A Chief Engineer approves budgets, project plans, and project designs.
# of job title searches per month: 200
Applications Engineer
An Applications Engineer improves the functions of different types of software. An Applications Engineer also has an understanding of hardware and other IT solutions. An Applications Engineer works directly with a customer to identify software needs and requirements.
# of job title searches per month: 200
Database Engineer
A Database Engineer creates and manages databases for an organization. Database Engineers are responsible for:
- Building new databases
- Modifying existing databases
- Updating database requirements
# of job title searches per month: 200
Machine Learning Engineer
A Machine Learning Engineer focuses on data science models and algorithms that produce working machines. A Machine Learning Engineer is responsible for:
- Performing machine learning model testing
- Implementing machine learning algorithms
- Performing statistical analyses
- Fine-tuning algorithms
- Verifying data quality through data cleaning
# of job title searches per month: 100
Funny Engineering Job Titles
Below are some funny/creative engineering titles we’ve found.
- Director of Spam Reception (Spam Data Engineer)
- Happiness Engineer (Support Engineer) (Automattic uses it)
- Miracle Worker (Engineer)
- Random Engineer (Developer)…Albert Sheu, Quora Software Developer
- Software Ninjaneer (Software Engineer)
Want more funny techie job titles. Check out our 100+ Creative & Funny Job Titles [by Department & Position] (there are 20+ funny IT titles, 13 software engineering titles and many more for sales/marketing/finance/ops, etc.
Are you a job seeker looking to upskill? Here’s some information about engineering degrees:
Choosing An Engineering Degree
With a median annual wage of $91,420 and nearly 188,000 new job openings yearly, the
engineering field is projected to have above-average employment growth between 2022 and
2032, making it a pretty lucrative industry.
Undoubtedly, many talented students want a seat at prestigious universities, but how do you
ensure you pick the proper engineering discipline? Let’s find out.
10 Main Types Of Engineering Degrees
Here’s a brief run-through of the 12 primary disciplines for those interested in pursuing an engineering degree. There are several engineering degrees online in these disciplines for those who are already working or cannot take an on-campus program. If you aim to have an engineering career in any of the job profiles mentioned above, you will have to major in any one of the following engineering degrees:
Civil Engineering
Civil engineering encompasses secondary disciplines such as construction, mining, geotechnical, structural, and transportation engineering. The coursework involves designing plans, performing research, and developing reports of infrastructure projects from start to finish.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering involves designing, building, and maintaining mechanical devices and systems. Based on what the engineer develops technologies or devices for, this field overlaps with others, such as manufacturing, robotics, health care, transportation, and construction.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineering covers the study of energy and technological development related to it. Apart from electrical power, it also teaches you about natural power sources like hydropower or wind and solar energy. You will also learn about designing, building, and maintaining electrical systems, especially large-scale ones.
Computer Engineering
A computer engineering degree involves designing, testing, and refining computer hardware or software. It combines computer science with electrical engineering; other specializations include computer architecture, security, and network engineering.
Manufacturing Engineering
The study of applying engineering principles to develop or improve manufacturing machinery, systems, or processes falls under manufacturing engineering. It also teaches how to test and use new technologies to optimize efficiency.
Environmental Engineering
The coursework for this discipline involves improving the environment using engineering concepts and other topics such as geology, environmental science, biology, and chemistry. This degree teaches you how to analyze and apply knowledge to develop solutions for water, land, or air-related ecological issues.
Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineering teaches students to understand the chemical process of developing products, materials, or substances. This also includes creating safe systems and equipment to refine raw materials for various industries, such as manufacturing, pharma, petrochemical, and food production.
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical engineering involves advancing the healthcare industry by combining biology, medical science, and engineering. The goal is to develop medical equipment, devices, or software to diagnose or treat patients.
Engineering Management
With an engineering management degree, you learn to apply engineering principles to business to pursue management or advanced engineering roles. The purpose is to combine engineering knowledge with business strategies that help manage engineering projects, teams, operations, and other processes more effectively.
Which Is The Right Engineering Degree For You?
With so many options, needing clarification about selecting a specific discipline is common. These steps will help you determine which degree is the right fit for you:
1. Consider Your Interests: Knowing your interests and passions will help you find the optimal degree, professionally and personally. Gather feedback from your existing work and identify the areas that showcase strengths and weaknesses.
2. Know Your Goals: Your professional goals and needs significantly influence your career path. These include your salary requirements, professional values, and where you see yourself in a specific field.
3. Do your research: When finalizing some options, dig deeper into their coursework, program types, career options, etc., to determine whether they align with your goals and requirements. You should also factor in eligibility, applicant requirements, curriculum, and tuition to ensure you’re comfortable with what’s offered.
4. Ask a Mentor or Professional: If you know people in a specific field or even professors and mentors from college, contact them and inquire about their realistic view of your preferred degree. Seek out individuals who can deepen your knowledge based on their expertise.
Other Resources on Engineering Job Titles
In addition to the sources cited above, special thanks to these experts on Engineering titles:
- Alex Holderness’s article on What’s The Difference Between a Developer and an Engineer?
- Emily Rose Prats’s article on What Do Software Engineers Do?
- Danielle Gagnon’s article on What Does an Electrical Engineer Do?
- Pedro Martinez’s article on What Makes a Good IT Systems Engineer?
- Vik Paruchuri’s article on What is a Data Engineer?
- Donal Tobin’s article on Data Engineering: What Does a Data Engineer Do? How Do I Become One?
- Learn.org’s article on What Is a Project Engineer?
- Bureau of Labor Statistics article on Mechanical Engineers
- Jayne Thompson’s article on What Does a Quality Engineer Do?
- Michael Roberts’s article on What Does a Civil Engineer Do?
- Monster.com’s Manufacturing Engineer Job Description
- CareerBright’s article on What Does the Job of an Engineer Involve?
- Studentscholarships.org’s article on Engineers – What They Do
- Tivix’s blog on What Does a DevOps Engineer Actually Do?
- Cyber Degree’s article on How To Become a Security Engineer
- Learn.org’s article on What Is a Computer Hardware Engineer?
- UNSW’s article About chemical engineering
- Mary Kearl’s article on How (And Why) to Become a Design Engineer
- Indeed.com’s article on A Definitive Guide: What Do Nuclear Engineers Do?
- Alex Ewerlöf’s article on Who is a “UX Engineer”?
- Daniel A. Vallero’s article Environmental Engineer
- Betterteam’s Chief Engineer Job Description
- Stephen Watt’s blog on Application Engineer Roles and Responsibilities
- TheCeresGroup’s article on Employers are Looking for These 4 Database Engineer Skills
- Cogito Tech’s article on What Does A Machine Learning Engineer Do: Role & Duties
Why I wrote this?
My team and I share this research on Engineering job titles to help you optimize your own titles. This supports our mission to transform job descriptions. Check out Ongig.com to see how our software transforms your job titles and job descriptions.
