Product design engineers have a bachelor’s of science degree, in either industrial design or a related field. In addition, they achieve a master’s in product design, which adds some technical expertise relating to computer-aided industrial design. The majority of the educational focus, however, goes to the process of creation – ideation. There are some new programs that are trying to reduce the amount of time required to graduate with the skills necessary to product design engineers, and there are a couple of bachelor’s degree programs that will provide the fundamental expertise and conceptual skills.

• Education
  Product design engineers have a bachelor’s of science degree, in either industrial design or a related field. In addition, they achieve a master’s in product design, which adds some technical expertise relating to computer-aided industrial design. The majority of the educational focus, however, goes to the process of creation – ideation. There are some new programs that are trying to reduce the amount of time required to graduate with the skills necessary to product design engineers, and there are a couple of bachelor’s degree programs that will provide the fundamental expertise and conceptual skills.
• Skills/Classes
  Product design engineers have a broad cross-section of skills, including some that can seem a bit shocking to prospective students. Among these is statistical analysis. Product design has changed considerably in the last 30 years since human-centered design began developing. Now, designers are usually trained to integrate human-centered design into their process, which requires statistical sampling, behavior analysis, and other unexpected expertise.
  They will also know their way around CAID (computer-aided industrial design) software, having taken a class of digital design drafting or two. This competency can be expanded on but is usually not emphasized, at least not to the same extent that it is in industrial design master’s degree programs.