Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
•   Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Working Life

Transport designers are commissioned to undertake the feasibility, layout, styling, interior and production design of high speed trains, metros, light rail systems, people movers, buses, ferries and other commercial vehicles.  
 
On large projects many designers work together, and each concentrates on a particular aspect of the design. For example, in aircraft design, the landing gear or the fuselage. Smaller projects may be completed by individual designers or small design teams.  
 
Research is an important part of a designer's work. They try to find answers to questions such as:  
 
1. Who is going to use the vehicle, vessel or craft?  
2. What materials are needed for production?  
3. How much it will cost to produce?  
 
Designers work with marketing managers, design engineers and ergonomists, in order to gather all the relevant information. In some cases, designers may get to travel, both in Ireland and abroad to study similar projects and consult with other transport design specialists. However, opportunities such as these depend largely on financial resources.  
 
When they have finished their research they turn their rough sketches into detailed drawings, increasingly using a computer-aided design (CAD) system. These can then be used to construct a prototype vehicle, vessel or craft, which is tested and supervised by the designer. Using these test results, designers refine their original work and produce working drawings. Production staff use the working drawings to manufacture and assemble relevant parts and sections.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Prepare sketches of ideas, detailed drawings, illustrations, artwork, or blueprints, using drafting instruments, paints and brushes, or computer-aided design equipment.
• Modify and refine designs, using working models, to conform with customer specifications, production limitations, or changes in design trends.
• Evaluate feasibility of design ideas, based on factors such as appearance, safety, function, serviceability, budget, production costs/methods, and market characteristics.
• Confer with engineering, marketing, production, or sales departments, or with customers, to establish and evaluate design concepts for manufactured products.
• Present designs and reports to customers or design committees for approval and discuss need for modification.
• Research production specifications, costs, production materials, and manufacturing methods and provide cost estimates and itemised production requirements.
• Direct and coordinate the fabrication of models or samples and the drafting of working drawings and specification sheets from sketches.
• Investigate product characteristics such as the product's safety and handling qualities, its market appeal, how efficiently it can be produced, and ways of distributing, using, and maintaining it.
• Develop manufacturing procedures and monitor the manufacture of their designs in a factory to improve operations and product quality.
• Participate in new product planning or market research, including studying the potential need for new products.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

There are currently no specialized transport design courses in Ireland. Degree courses are available in the UK.

There are a number of related courses on offer in Ireland, which may be relevant to this particular career. 

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: engineering, construction technology, civil engineering, transport, distribution, logistics.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: engineering, construction technology, civil engineering, transport, distribution, logistics.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Engineering, Supply Chain, Logistics, Principal Engineering.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: engineering, automotive engineering and transport, road transport technology and management, sustainable transport management.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: engineering, environmental, structural, geotechnical, transport, sustainable energy, process energy, transport engineering, research, road and transport engineering.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

• Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland 
• Engineers Ireland

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €80k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
CPL/ Morgan McKinley/ Sigmar/ Indeed/ Excel/ Osborne/ Clark

Last Updated: July, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Design and development engineers; Production and process engineers; Quality control and planning engineers; Quality assurance and regulatory professionals; Environmental health professionals.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment grew strongly for this occupation between 2018 and 2021, although employment remained unchanged in the most recent time period. Almost three quarters were employed in industry. Despite the static employment levels in 2022, there was a significant increase in the number of employment permits issued between 2021 and 2022 (by 1,100), with the industrial sector accounting for half of the increase. Roles for which permits were issued included quality, process, and design engineers.

This occupation had the highest number of mentions of vacancies that were difficult to fill in the Recruitment Agency Survey, especially for quality control/assurance, compliance/regulatory and process engineering roles. Employers (through Skills for Growth and/or Spotlight on Skills) have cited roles in design engineering (with specific industry knowledge), quality control and production engineers as being difficult to fill. Demand continues to be strong for this occupation despite static employment levels and issues with recruiting suitably qualified/experienced candidates for these roles are likely to persist. 

• Engineers Ireland

  • 22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge Dublin 4
  • (01) 665 1300
  • Click Here

• Transport Infrastructure Ireland

  • Parkgate Business Centre, Parkgate Street, Dublin 8
  • (01) 646 3600
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Road Safety Authority (RSA)

  • Moy Business Park, Primrose Hill, Ballina, Co.Mayo
  • (096) 25000 / LoCall 1890 506080
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here