Editing Design engineer (section)

{{Short description|Engineer or technician involved in the planning of technical systems}}
A '''design engineer''' is an engineer focused on the [[engineering design]] process in any of the various [[engineering]] disciplines (including [[civil engineer|civil]], [[mechanical engineering|mechanical]], [[electrical engineering|electrical]], [[chemical engineer|chemical]], [[textiles]], [[Aerospace engineer|aerospace]], [[Nuclear engineer|nuclear]], [[Manufacturing Engineer|manufacturing]],  [[systems engineer|systems]], and [[structural]] /[[building]]/[[architectural]]) and design disciplines like [[Human-Computer Interaction]].
Design engineers tend to work on products and systems that involve adapting and using complex scientific and mathematical techniques.  The emphasis tends to be on utilizing [[engineering physics]] and other applied sciences to develop solutions for society.

A design engineer usually works with a team of other engineers and other types of designers (e.g. [[industrial design]]ers), to develop conceptual and detailed designs that ensure a product functions, performs, and is fit for its purpose. They may also work with marketers to develop the product concept and specifications to meet customer needs, and may direct the design effort. In many engineering areas, a distinction is made between the "design engineer" and other engineering roles (e.g. planning engineer, project engineer, test engineer). [[Analysis]] tends to play a larger role for the latter areas, while synthesis is more paramount for the former; nevertheless, all such roles are technically part of the ''overall'' engineering [[design process]].

When an engineering project involves public safety, design engineers involved are often required to be licensed - for example, as a [[Regulation and licensure in engineering|Professional Engineer]] (in the U.S. and Canada).  There is often an "industrial exemption" for engineers working on project only internally to their organization, although the scope and conditions of such exemptions vary widely across jurisdictions.