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Engineering

Magnetics Engineer

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Primary Secondary Post-16

Imagine all the cool things that use magnets, from giant wind turbines making electricity to tiny parts in your smartphone, or even amazing new medical scanners. A Magnetics Engineer is someone who designs, develops, and works with these magnetic materials and systems. They might create new types of magnets, figure out how to use them more efficiently, or solve problems where magnetism is involved. This job is all about understanding how magnetism works and applying that knowledge to make useful technologies. You could be working on electric motors, sensors, data storage devices, or even systems that help us generate clean energy. To be a Magnetics Engineer, you need to be really good at physics and maths, and enjoy solving tricky problems. You might spend your time in a lab testing materials, designing things on a computer, or working with a team to build and improve magnetic components for various industries. It's a field that combines scientific discovery with practical application, helping to advance technology in many different ways, from making our gadgets better to improving how we produce power.

Magnetics Engineer

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📊 Statistics

Average Starting Salary

New Magnetics Engineers in the UK might expect to earn around 25,000 to 30,000 pounds per year, depending on their qualifications and the company.

Experienced Salary Range

With a few years of experience, a Magnetics Engineer in the UK could earn between 35,000 and 55,000 pounds annually. Highly experienced or specialist engineers could earn even more.

Job Growth

While not as common as some other engineering roles, the demand for specialist engineers, including those in magnetics, is expected to grow steadily in areas like renewable energy and advanced manufacturing, leading to opportunities in the UK.

🚀 Careers in this path

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Magnetic Resonance Imaging MRI Technologist

Imagine working in a hospital, helping doctors see inside people's bodies without needing an operation! You'd operate a special big machine that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to take detailed pictures, helping people get better. It's really important and fascinating work.

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Electrical Engineer developing Magnetic Sensors

Do you like understanding how things work and creating new gadgets? You could design and build tiny magnetic sensors for all sorts of cool things, like making your smartphone's compass work, helping cars detect where they are, or even creating advanced security systems. It's about using magnetism to make smart devices.

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Geophysicist specialising in Geomagnetism

If you love maps, the outdoors, and understanding our planet, this could be for you! You'd study the Earth's magnetic field, how it protects us from space, and how it changes over time. You might use special equipment to measure magnetism deep underground, helping to find valuable minerals or understand earthquakes.

Build Your Foundations

Excel in Maths and Science

Focus on your maths and science subjects, especially physics, at school. These are the building blocks for understanding how magnets and electricity work.

Understanding algebra, geometry, and basic calculus in maths will be crucial. In science, pay close attention to topics like forces, energy, electricity, and magnetism. These fundamental concepts are essential for a career in engineering, as they provide the language and tools to solve complex technical problems.

Explore Hobbies and Clubs

Join clubs or take part in hobbies that involve building, problem-solving, or technology, like a robotics club, a coding group, or even building models.

Hands-on experience outside of the classroom is incredibly valuable. It helps you develop practical skills, learn how to work in a team, and discover if you truly enjoy applying scientific principles to real-world challenges. Look for opportunities at school, local community centres, or online. This could include joining a STEM club, a computing club, or even just tinkering with electronics kits at home.

Learn About Famous Engineers

Research famous engineers and scientists who worked with magnetism and electricity, like Michael Faraday or James Clerk Maxwell. It's inspiring to see what they achieved!

Learning about the pioneers in electromagnetism can show you the history and impact of this field. Understanding their discoveries and inventions helps you appreciate the journey of scientific progress and the potential for innovation that still exists today. It can also give you ideas about different areas within engineering you might want to explore.

Further Your Education

Choose Relevant A-Levels

After your GCSEs, choose A-Levels that focus on STEM subjects, like Maths, Further Maths, Physics, and potentially Design & Technology or Chemistry.

These A-Levels are highly regarded for engineering degrees and provide the strong academic foundation you'll need. Universities typically require strong grades in Maths and Physics for entry into engineering courses. Some universities might also look favourably on Further Maths or Chemistry, depending on the specific engineering specialisation.

Study an Engineering Degree

Go to university to study a degree like Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Materials Science, or Physics with a focus on electromagnetism.

A Bachelor's degree (BEng or MEng) is usually essential. Look for programmes accredited by engineering institutions like the IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology). An MEng (Master of Engineering) is an integrated master's degree that typically lasts four years and often provides a faster route to becoming a Chartered Engineer. During your degree, try to pick modules related to electromagnetism, magnetic materials, and power electronics.

Seek Work Experience or Internships

During your university breaks, try to get work experience or an internship at an engineering company. This gives you a real taste of the job!

Work experience is invaluable for understanding the industry, applying your academic knowledge, and making connections. Many universities offer programmes to help students find placements. Look for companies involved in electrical motors, generators, sensors, data storage, or research and development. Even a short placement can provide great insights and boost your CV.

Start Your Career

Apply for Entry-Level Roles

Look for graduate schemes or entry-level Magnetics Engineer or Electrical/Electronic Engineer positions in relevant industries.

Companies involved in automotive, aerospace, renewable energy, consumer electronics, medical devices, and research often hire magnetics engineers. Your first role might involve assisting senior engineers, conducting tests, or helping with design tasks. Be prepared to learn a lot on the job and apply your theoretical knowledge to practical problems.

Consider Professional Registration

Work towards becoming a 'Chartered Engineer' (CEng) with an engineering institution. This shows you're a highly skilled and experienced professional.

Becoming a Chartered Engineer involves demonstrating competence and commitment to professional standards. It typically requires an MEng degree (or equivalent), several years of supervised experience, and a professional review. It enhances your career prospects, demonstrates your expertise, and is a recognised mark of quality in the engineering profession in the UK.

Keep Learning and Specialising

The world of technology changes fast, so keep learning new skills, attending workshops, and perhaps specialising in a particular area of magnetics.

Continuous professional development (CPD) is crucial for engineers. This could involve taking short courses, attending industry conferences, reading technical journals, or pursuing a postgraduate degree (like a PhD) if you want to go into research and development. You might specialise in areas like magnetic materials, power electronics, motor design, or sensor technology, becoming an expert in your chosen field.

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🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Magnetics Engineer. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.

🎓 View Apprenticeships

Career Progressions

This page showcases various career options and the pathways to reach them. Each career listed here shares transferable skills and knowledge, making it easier for individuals to transition between them.

Your current career is highlighted to help you see how it fits into the broader landscape of potential career choices. By clicking on any career, you can learn more about it, including the training and education required to pursue it.

Remember, progressing in your career often involves further learning and training. This page provides insights into future career options as well as those that can lead up to your current one.

These career progression decisions are informed by comparing the skills and knowledge needed for different occupations, along with data on how people move between them. Explore the possibilities and discover the exciting journey ahead in your career!

Sample Qualifications

While 'Magnetics Engineer' isn't on the list, magnetics are critical in aerospace systems for sensors, navigation, and propulsion, making 'Aerospace engineer' the most relevant match for someone with this specialisation.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

University

You could do a degree in aerospace engineering, avionics, or a subject like:

  • electrical or electronic engineering
  • mechanical engineering
  • manufacturing or product engineering
  • physics or applied physics
  • software engineering or mathematics

Postgraduate study

You may be able to do a master's degree in aeronautical or aerospace engineering if you've studied for a degree in a related subject, such as engineering.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and physics
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

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College

You could do A levels, a higher national certificate (HNC) or diploma (HND) in engineering before applying for a trainee technician job with an aerospace company.

Subjects include:

  • maths, physics and design and technology
  • mechanical engineering
  • aeronautical engineering
  • electrical engineering

You would then take further training to become a fully qualified engineer.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

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Apprenticeship

You could do a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship to begin your career in the aerospace industry. Apprenticeships include:

  • Aerospace Engineer
  • Aerospace Software Engineer
  • Electro-Mechanical Engineer
  • Materials Science Technologist

You'll combine workplace learning with study for a degree at university.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You might be able to join a company as an aerospace engineering technician and do training on the job to qualify as an engineer.

Direct Application

You can apply for aerospace engineering jobs if you've got relevant qualifications and experience. For example, you might have worked in mechanical, electrical or electronics engineering.

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Professional and industry bodies

You can join the Royal Aeronautical Society for professional development, career resources and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can find out more about working in aerospace engineering from Careers in Aerospace.

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