Engineering is the process of applying science and maths to the design, creation, and maintenance of all sorts of machines, structures, and processes across a wide range of industries. This could range from aerospace, IT, and chemicals to power generation, telecommunications and utilities.

The projects engineering employers undertake can range in scale from the development of electronic devices or chemical compounds to the construction of production plants, oil refineries and solar farms. Here’s how you can start out in this line of work! 

How do I get a job with an engineering company?

Engineering vacancies for graduates usually come in two forms: an entry-level job or a graduate programme. Smaller employers are more likely to advertise individual entry-level jobs as needed, while larger engineering employers are likely to advertise graduate programmes, often hiring across a number of engineering disciplines in one go.

You can also undertake an engineering placement (also known as “industrial attachment”) as part of your engineering degree programme. These placements allow you to apply your theoretical knowledge to real-world projects, develop technical skills, and gain insights into the local engineering industry. 

Larger engineering companies also frequently offer internships for engineering graduates. Keep an eye out for those! It is possible that completing an engineering placement or internship with an employer may even fast-track you through the recruitment process for their graduate programme.

What qualifications or skills do I need to work in engineering?

Most engineering jobs need a relevant engineering degree. After all, you will need to have the right technical skills and knowledge to get the job done!  

Most local engineering employers typically require only relevant bachelor’s degrees to start out. However, some may require you to have a master’s in engineering for more specialised roles. You may also want to consider becoming certified as a chartered engineer later on, if can help with advancing your career.

Not all technical jobs in engineering companies are filled by engineers, though. Some employers offer technical vacancies for maths, physics, and materials science graduates. Other roles such as technical sales may also be open to candidates from all degrees – though you will still need to have a working understanding of relevant engineering concepts.
 

What kinds of engineering jobs can I do?

The exact nature of each engineering job will vary according to the industry. But generally, most tend to focus on one or two parts of the overall engineering process: research and development, industrial design, production, building and implementation, or ongoing maintenance.

Your job title could be the same as your degree discipline, such as “mechanical engineer” or “environmental engineer”. Alternatively, it could be based around a particular stage of the engineering process. Examples include “design engineer” or “quality assurance engineer”.

It’s worth noting that the Malaysian engineering industry still occupies the lower end of the global engineering supply chain. This means that there may not be as many jobs in more theoretical areas such as R&D or industrial design. The government is attempting to remedy this by incentivising the creation of such jobs as part of broader industry push, but only time will tell how fast the local industry will shift. 

How hard is it to get an engineering job?

This is a question with no easy answer. On one hand, there has been an industry-wide STEM skills shortage for some time, due to factors such as an aging engineering workforce and the attractiveness of the other careers open to engineering graduates (such as banking and financial services locally). So you could make the case that it is a jobseekers’ market right now.

On the other hand, the relatively concentrated pool of large engineering employers in Malaysia means that they have no shortage of graduate applications each year. The competition becomes even stiffer in strategic local industries, such as the oil and gas or automotive industries. You will need to bring your A-game if you hope to stand out. 

There are certainly no shortage of engineering roles with smaller local employers. However, make sure you screen such opportunities carefully before accepting. Ensure that the employer can show you clear pathways for career progression, professional development, and of course earning potential. The wide range of engineering jobs available locally mean that standards can vary wildly.

What are the highs and the lows?

Graduate engineers often work alongside experienced engineers in multidisciplinary teams. You’ll have the opportunity to be involved from the outset on practically challenging problems that need to be solved, while learning from others in the process. The personal satisfaction of finding solutions that have visible, tangible outcomes can be a very rewarding feeling.

Larger employers may give you the opportunity to travel for work – whether around the country or for overseas placements. This can sometimes be glamorous, but sometimes not. You may show up on-site to find a whole host of problems that need solving or processes that have lapsed. It will be on you to roll your sleeves up and get things going again.  

Some industry sectors have lots of regulations to adhere to, which means huge amounts of paperwork and documentation to be filed. Given the volatile economy, it can also be frustrating to start work on a project as an engineer, only to have the funding pulled or the budget readjusted for cost-savings reasons. 

What other jobs can engineering graduates do?

Engineering graduates are also highly sought after for a range of careers including finance, IT, and specialised consulting. 

However, you don’t have to leave the engineering industry even if technical careers aren’t your thing. Graduate engineers often end up recruited into a range of other roles within engineering companies: such as procurement, technical sales, operations management, supply chain management and logistics. 

After all, no one is better qualified to understand the commercial challenges faced by an engineering company… than an engineer!