School of PE Blog

Engineering, in all its diverse forms, is a field driven by innovation and problem-solving. But to truly excel, engineers need more than just theoretical knowledge. They require a robust toolkit filled with the right software, apps, and resources to translate ideas into reality. This toolkit is constantly evolving, reflecting the rapid advancements in technology and the ever-increasing complexity of engineering challenges. Whether you're a civil engineer designing bridges, a software engineer crafting complex algorithms, or a mechanical engineer optimizing machine performance, having the right tools at your fingertips is crucial.  

This blog post will investigate the essential components of an engineer's toolkit, exploring the software, apps, and online resources that can empower you to tackle projects with greater efficiency and precision.

CAD software is the cornerstone of many engineering disciplines, enabling the creation, modification, analysis, and optimization of designs.  

• For Mechanical and Product Design:
  • For mechanical and product design, engineers often rely on powerful parametric solid modeling software like SolidWorks (Dassault Systèmes, n.d.) for designing and simulating mechanical components.  
  • Autodesk (n.d.) provides a variety of CAD software, including AutoCAD and Inventor, which are industry standards for 2D and 3D drafting.  
  • Fusion 360 (Autodesk, n.d.) a cloud-based CAD/CAM/CAE platform that integrates design, manufacturing, and simulation into a single workflow.  
• For Civil and Architectural Engineering:
  • AutoCAD (Autodesk, n.d.) remains the industry standard for general 2D and 3D drafting.
  • For Building Information Modeling (BIM), Revit (Autodesk, n.d.) allows engineers and architects to create intelligent 3D models.  
  • Civil 3D (Autodesk, n.d.) is specialized software for civil engineering design, analysis, and documentation.  
• For Electrical Engineering:
  • Altium Designer: A comprehensive PCB design software that covers all aspects of electronic product development, from schematic capture to PCB layout and manufacturing.
  • Eagle PCB: A user-friendly PCB design software that offers a balance of features and affordability, making it popular among hobbyists and professionals alike.

Simulation software allows engineers to test and validate their designs virtually, saving time and resources.  

• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Software:
  • Simulation software like ANSYS (n.d.) is used for finite element analysis, enabling engineers to analyze the performance of complex systems.  
  • COMSOL Multiphysics (COMSOL, n.d.) is used for multiphysics simulation, allowing engineers to model and simulate coupled phenomena.  
• Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Software:
  • OpenFOAM (n.d.) is an open-source CFD software that offers flexibility.  
• Circuit Simulation Software:
  • Information regarding SPICE can be found within many electrical engineering textbooks, and from university electrical engineering websites.

Programming skills are becoming increasingly essential for engineers across all disciplines.

• Python: A versatile and easy-to-learn programming language widely used in data analysis, scientific computing, and automation. Its extensive libraries and frameworks make it a powerful tool for engineers.
• MATLAB: A numerical computing environment and programming language used for data analysis, algorithm development, and simulation. It is particularly popular in control systems and signal processing.
• C/C++: Powerful programming languages used for developing high-performance applications and embedded systems.
• JavaScript: Very useful for front-end web development and increasingly for back-end development. Useful for creating user interfaces and web-based tools.

Effective project management and collaboration are crucial for successful engineering projects.

• Project management software like Microsoft Project (Microsoft, n.d.) helps engineers plan and track projects.  
• For agile development and issue tracking, Jira (Atlassian, n.d.) is a popular tool.  
• GitHub (n.d.) is a platform for version control and collaboration, especially in software development.  
• Communication platforms like Slack (n.d.) and Microsoft Teams (Microsoft, n.d.) facilitate real-time communication.  

Mobile apps can provide engineers with access to essential tools and information on the go.  

• Engineering Calculators: Apps that provide a variety of engineering calculations, such as stress analysis, fluid dynamics, and electrical calculations.
• Unit Converters: Apps that allow engineers to quickly convert between different units of measurement.
• Drawing and Sketching Apps: Apps that allow engineers to create quick sketches and annotations.
• PDF Readers and Annotators: Apps that allow engineers to view and annotate technical documents.

The internet provides a wealth of resources for engineers.

• Online learning platforms like School of PE offer a wide range of engineering and project management courses  
• Professional organizations like IEEE (n.d.), ASME (n.d.), and ASTM International (n.d.) publish standards and guidelines.  

The engineer's toolkit is a dynamic and evolving collection of tools and resources. The specific components of your toolkit will depend on your discipline, specialization, and personal preferences. However, by embracing the essential categories outlined in this blog post, you can build a robust and effective toolkit that empowers you to tackle complex engineering challenges with confidence.  

Remember that technology is constantly changing, so it's essential to stay up to date with the latest advancements. Explore new software, apps, and resources, and don't be afraid to experiment and find the tools that work best for you. Ultimately, the most effective toolkit is one that you customize to meet your specific needs and workflows.

Another great asset for your toolkit is engineering licensure. Check out School of PE today to see our wide variety of FE, PE, and PMP® exam prep courses, all designed to help you pass on your first try!

References

Altium. (n.d.). Altium Designer. Retrieved from https://www.altium.com/

ANSYS. (n.d.). ANSYS. Retrieved from https://www.ansys.com/

ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers).(n.d.). ASME. Retrieved from https://www.asme.org/

ASTM International. (n.d.). ASTM International. Retrieved from https://www.astm.org/

Atlassian. (n.d.). Atlassian. Retrieved from https://www.atlassian.com/

Autodesk. (n.d.). Autodesk. Retrieved from https://www.autodesk.com/

Coursera. (n.d.). Coursera. Retrieved from https://www.coursera.org/

Dassault Systèmes. (n.d.). SolidWorks. Retrieved from https://www.solidworks.com/

edX. (n.d.). edX. Retrieved from https://www.edx.org/

GitHub. (n.d.). GitHub. Retrieved from https://github.com/

IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). (n.d.). IEEE. Retrieved from https://www.ieee.org/

MathWorks. (n.d.). MATLAB. Retrieved from https://www.mathworks.com/

Microsoft. (n.d.). Microsoft 365 Project. Retrieved from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/project/project-management-software

Microsoft. (n.d.). Microsoft Teams. Retrieved from

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/group-chat-software

OpenFOAM. (n.d.). OpenFOAM. Retrieved from https://openfoam.org/

Slack. (n.d.). Slack. Retrieved from https://slack.com/

Udemy. (n.d.). Udemy. Retrieved from https://www.udemy.com/

COMSOL. (n.d.). COMSOL Multiphysics. Retrieved from https://www.comsol.com/