what is a development engineer?

As a development engineer, you drive technological progress forward. You rely on your creative mindset to do so. You design and optimise production processes, products, and technologies. In this, you draw on ideas from research and translate them into your specialised field. An important area of your work is the transfer of technology from research into practical application. You ensure that your solutions meet user requirements and even offer added value. Whether it's machinery or calculation tools for automatic control systems, you need a strong technical understanding. At the same time, you keep an eye on costs. Besides technical requirements, economic considerations are also crucial for efficient utilisation. Sounds exciting? Then read on to find out how you can succeed as a development engineer.

development engineer jobs
1

working as a development engineer.

You are primarily technically skilled and innovative as a development engineer. The specific tasks you focus on depend on your area of specialisation. However, there are common responsibilities that apply to everyone. Find out more about your role as a development engineer.

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types of development engineers.

You can specialise as a development engineer in various fields, such as:

  • Development engineer in electronics: In this role, you will develop complex hardware for so-called embedded systems. This includes creating functional prototypes with documentation, designing printed circuit board layouts, and developing circuit concepts. Additionally, you will conduct tests and develop testing fixtures.
  • Development engineer software: This role is all about designing, developing, and testing software. Thanks to your expertise in system architecture, you ensure customised solutions for clients. Simulation software also falls within your responsibilities.
  • Development engineer in mechanics: Depending on the area you work in, you assess specifications in terms of customer requirements. You create models and drawings, establish specifications, and analyse test results. Additionally, you optimise design and processes.
  • Development engineer in measurement Technology: For the transmission of electrical energy in the grid, innovative measuring instruments are required. You will develop and test electronic sensors and transducers. Additionally, you will integrate them into the cloud or IoT systems. This includes all electronic components for digital signal processing, communication, and control.
male sitting at his desk looking down, focused.
male sitting at his desk looking down, focused.
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salary as a development engineer.

Your gross salary as a development engineer depends on several factors. These include your specialisation and level of experience. On popular job platforms, you'll find a wide range of salaries. As a development engineer, you can typically expect an entry level salary of around 78,000 CHF per year. That works out to approximately 6,800 CHF per month. Find out more here about your gross salary as a development engineer.

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vocational training and further education as a development engineer.

Generally, as a development engineer, you will need a technical degree with a bachelor's or master's qualification. You can obtain this at a University Of Applied Sciences, a Technical University, or an Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. For your foundational studies, fields such as engineering, mechanical engineering, mechatronics, or electrical engineering are suitable. Some companies also accept a technical basic education, such as an EFZ qualification as a polymechanic, combined with further training as a mechanical engineer. In your profession, it’s important to keep up with the times. Technologies evolve at an incredible pace, so it’s essential that your expertise stays current.

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positions as development engineer.

As a development engineer, you work across various industries. You are mainly in demand in the manufacturing sector, electrical engineering, computer science, and energy production. Even colleges and universities value your expertise in research. The complexity is increasing, and innovative professionals like you are essential. Companies primarily target specialists with several years of professional experience. Are you looking for an interesting position as a development engineer? Take a look at our listings on this page.

Zwei Männer arbeiten in einer Büroumgebung zusammen
Zwei Männer arbeiten in einer Büroumgebung zusammen
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positions for career changers as development engineers.

Development engineers are highly qualified and in demand professionals. As a creative problem solver, you are particularly well suited to tackling complex issues. The foundation for a successful career is built through a technical degree. Even if you're switching careers, you have good prospects. However, you should have a technical affinity and some professional experience. Opportunities are especially good for machine operators and IT specialists. If you're lacking certain skills, consider enrolling in part time courses. Further training is always worthwhile in the technical field. The demand for qualified specialists is set to increase.

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career opportunities and potential as a development engineer.

Your career prospects as a development engineer are excellent. As a highly qualified professional, you play a key role in product development and research. The challenges are significant: advancing digitalisation, environmentally friendly mobility, and energy generation from renewable sources. As an expert, you are in high demand, particularly within large companies that have their own research and development departments. You can also pursue your research interests at universities. The best conditions for securing an attractive position are a master’s degree or a PhD. Even a managerial role is within reach. For example, as a project manager, you would be responsible for the successful realisation of a project. In addition to technical expertise, you will need leadership skills. Are you looking to develop further as a development engineer? Take a look at our tests and tips.

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competencies as a development engineer.

Your key skills as a development engineer include:

  • Communication skills: As a development engineer, you listen carefully and internalise requirements. You then develop your product design. The most innovative product is only successful if you can convince customers or management of its value. You have a knack for translating complex issues into simple terms. Thanks to your strong communication skills, you effectively convey the benefits and added value.
  • Research spirit: Curiosity, perseverance, and courage drive you as a development engineer. You explore new paths and are willing to take some detours along the way. It’s this unconventional thinking and your persistence that push you forward. Only then can you discover innovative solutions and develop products that don’t yet exist.
  • Attention to detail: As a development engineer, you are characterised by a meticulous work style. Your plan succeeds precisely because you consider every detail. You identify and fix even the smallest system errors. Only in this way is it possible to bring a new product to series production readiness.
  • Social skills: As a development engineer, you're not working in isolation. While computers and artificial intelligence are important tools, you also interact with people. Customers or management share their needs with you. Most of the time, it’s necessary to communicate with specialised colleagues. Your interpersonal skills help you in this. As a creative thinker, you implement requirements and minimise conflicts as much as possible.
Two males talking. Both have beards. One wears glasses. One male in the background. Informal setting. Inside. Checkered shirt. Supporting color blue.
Two males talking. Both have beards. One wears glasses. One male in the background. Informal setting. Inside. Checkered shirt. Supporting color blue.
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benefits of working as a development engineer at randstad.

There are many good reasons to work at Randstad as a development engineer:
✓ exciting jobs at well known companies
✓ a reliable point of contact whenever you need one; personalised advice matters
✓ attractive employment conditions and good social benefits
✓ further education courses and personal development opportunities
✓ clear information in the myRandstad app
✓ do you have a fixed term contract? Often, there’s the opportunity to secure a permanent position afterwards. Many well known companies also recruit their staff directly through Randstad

your professional development budget as a development engineer at randstad.

If you work as a development engineer for Randstad, you have access to further training courses. As part of the temp training programme from swissstaffing, you can attend training sessions. You will be reimbursed for the course fees later, provided you pass the course exam. Your consultant from Randstad is there to support you if you have any questions. This way, you can acquire additional language skills or job specific knowledge all during your working hours as a development engineer.

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application tips for development engineers at randstad.

Have you found your dream job as a development engineer? It’s not just your qualifications and certificates that determine the success of your applications. Careful, error free, and personalised documents will definitely help you in your job search. Here are a few useful tips to optimise your chances:

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frequently asked questions.

Here you will find the answers to frequently asked questions about the role of development engineer.

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