A group of people working on a 3D printer.

Design Engineering

Bachelor of Science

Delivery Options

Campus

Fall 2027 Deadline

Priority: November 1
Regular: January 15
Late: April 1

Apply Now Contact Admissions Team

Department

Design and Society

Why Design Engineering?

As a design engineer, you bridge the gap between concept and creation. Equipped with the right mix of creativity, systems thinking and technical rigor, you will join fellow design engineers who invent prosthetics that restore movement and independence, sustainable mobility systems that reshape cities and intelligent devices that respond to our needs in real time. The world’s biggest global health, clean energy and climate resilience challenges demand more than technical expertise—they require you to think across systems, connect human needs with engineering solutions and innovate responsibly in complex contexts.

Program Focus

The Bachelor of Science in Design Engineering from Mines is a flexible, interdisciplinary program that blends design thinking, engineering rigor and the social sciences to develop innovative problem-solvers who create technological solutions to complex human challenges.

Math, science and engineering coursework build analytical skills that ground sociotechnical design, ensuring feasible, rigorous solutions. Thematic electives encourage individualized exploration and specialization within fields such as robotics, sustainable systems, product design and aerospace.

You will be trained to frame problems holistically, integrate social and environmental perspectives and lead collaborative teams toward meaningful solutions. You will emerge as an adaptable problem solver, ready for diverse careers—from product development to sustainable infrastructure to aerospace innovation—and are prepared to design with impact in a rapidly changing world.

Program Design/Option

BUILD

At the core of Mines design engineering is our signature studio sequence, which commences with Cornerstone Design. You’ll progress through Integrative Design Studios, concluding with a two-semester Capstone Design project. The signature studio sequence emphasizes open-ended problems and prepares you to adapt, create and design meaningful solutions to complex and evolving real-world challenges. You’ll work with stakeholders to explore the issues they face, analyze various facets of a designed system and learn about industry best practices, while building hands-on experience, including:

Human-centered design and systems thinking
Prototyping and design for manufacturing
Cross-functional collaboration and communication
Critical thinking and data-informed decision-making
Ethical, environmental and social impact analysis
Leadership and pathways to innovation

As a design engineering major, you can pursue minors and electives that cover emerging coursework, such as biomedical design, smart products and UX design, environmental systems, AI and automation and social impact engineering.

Combined 4+1 BS/MS Program

As a Mines undergraduate student, you have the opportunity to earn a master’s degree while completing a bachelor’s degree. This five-year pathway is designed to reduce time and cost and give you the tools and capabilities needed to solve hard problems in the world.

Learn more about combined BS/MS programs >

Program Opportunities

Studio-Based, Project-Driven Learning

Every semester, you’ll complete a design studio course where you get to conceive, prototype and test solutions with real-world partners – startups, NGOs, government agencies and corporate sponsors. You’ll learn the tools and frameworks needed to engage these stakeholders and validate your solutions in response to their needs. You will develop skills through research and other independent study opportunities in partnership with several labs across campus.

A group of mines students sitting in a conference room collaborating on a project with their laptops open.

Human-Centered Design

A novel feature of our design studio sequence is systematic attention to the human dimensions of technology and design practice alongside technical engineering competencies. You will learn skills such as modeling, root-cause analysis, ideation, scenario testing and inclusive design to develop a systems-aware approach that bridges the technical and social dimensions of engineering projects. Trained across engineering, design and social sciences disciplines, our faculty is uniquely qualified to deliver this combination of skills.

A male Mines student wearing protective glasses as he is working to solder a circuit board

Individualized Coursework

Flexible curriculum allows you to craft individualized degree plans aligned with your specific interests and career goals. The program blends engineering fundamentals with ethics, social science and design thinking, making it applicable to diverse career pathways. You’ll learn to frame problems creatively, design contextually relevant solutions and communicate effectively across stakeholder groups and industries. You’ll graduate with the expertise to solve complex, high-impact challenges in areas ranging from biomedical design to environmental systems, from robotics, AI and smart products to social-impact engineering.

Salaries and Career Outlook

$69,100 Median starting salary for recent program graduates

219% ROI Companies using design thinking outperformed the S&P 500 by 219% over 10 years. (Source: the Design Management Institute)

4M+ U.S. jobs now demand systems thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration skills. (Source: Lightcast 2024 Workforce Report)

300,000+ Engineer Shortage Projected by 2030, especially in innovation and cross-functional leadership in the U.S. (Source: NSF Science and Engineering Indicators, 2024)

Program Curriculum

View Academic Catalog

Faculty Expertise

Meet three faculty leaders in product development, systems thinking and integrative design who empower you to transform creative concepts into tangible solutions

Aubrey Wigner

Teaching Associate Professor

Chelsea Salinas

Teaching Professor

Mark Orrs

Teaching Associate Prof

World-Class Labs, Centers and Facilities

Mines supports immersive, hands-on education through creative and technical exploration in cutting-edge facilities.

A building with a lot of windows at night.

Labriola Innovation Hub

The Labriola Innovation Hub – or InnoHub for short – provides a dynamic environment that combines hands-on education, project support, access to tools and collaboration space where students can try new things, regardless of experience level or motivation

A large building with a lot of windows on the side of it.

McNeil Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

The McNeil Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation offers credit-bearing courses, extracurricular competitions and more to foster the entrepreneurial mindset and equip students with the necessary skills to bring their ideas to life.

A couple of men sitting on a couch in a room.

Beck Venture Center

The Beck Venture Center provides programs, services and events for Orediggers looking to launch their first startup, accelerate a growing venture, raise capital or just plug into a thriving network of founders and innovators.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is design engineering?

Design engineering is the discipline that combines creativity, technical analysis and systems thinking to develop innovative products, processes and technologies that solve real-world problems. It integrates principles from mechanical, electrical, materials and systems engineering with design methodologies and human-centered thinking.

Design engineers are inventors and problem-solvers — they translate ideas into functional, efficient and sustainable solutions, from advanced medical devices and autonomous vehicles to renewable energy systems and consumer products.

What are the most interesting advances and technologies shaping the field of design engineering?

Design engineering is being transformed by digital tools, intelligent systems and sustainable design principles.

Key advances include:

Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing): Enabling rapid prototyping and lightweight, custom components across aerospace, medical and industrial sectors.
Generative Design and AI-Assisted Modeling: Using algorithms to explore thousands of design options for optimal performance and sustainability.
Digital Twins and Virtual Prototyping: Creating real-time digital replicas of systems to simulate, test and improve designs before physical production.
Smart Materials and Embedded Systems: Integrating sensors, actuators and adaptive materials for responsive and intelligent products.
Human-Centered and Inclusive Design: Applying ergonomic and cognitive insights to create safer, more accessible technologies.
Sustainable and Circular Design: Engineering products and systems for energy efficiency, recyclability and minimal environmental impact.

These innovations are reshaping how engineers imagine, test and deliver solutions — bridging creativity with cutting-edge technology.

What career options will I have with a degree in design engineering?

A degree in design engineering prepares you for a dynamic range of careers that merge technical expertise with innovation and leadership. Graduates often pursue roles such as:

Design engineer or product development engineer
Mechanical or systems design specialist
Prototyping and manufacturing engineer
Human factors or ergonomics engineer
Sustainability or life-cycle design consultant
R&D engineer in advanced materials or robotics
Innovation manager or engineering project lead
Entrepreneur or startup founder developing new technologies or products

Many professionals work at the intersection of engineering, design and entrepreneurship — driving innovation across industries and shaping the next generation of products and systems.

What industries hire graduates with a degree in design engineering?

Design engineers are employed across virtually all technology-driven sectors, including:

Aerospace and automotive design
Consumer electronics and product development
Medical devices and healthcare technology
Renewable energy systems and clean-tech innovation
Robotics and automation
Industrial equipment and manufacturing
Architecture, construction and sustainable infrastructure
Defense, transportation and mobility systems

Because design engineers think both creatively and analytically, they play key roles in innovation-focused organizations, design consultancies and advanced R&D teams worldwide.

What are the current research directions in design engineering?

Research in design engineering is advancing how products and systems are conceived, optimized and integrated into society. Leading research areas include:

Computational design and generative AI for engineering
Human–machine collaboration and augmented design tools
Sustainable product systems and circular economy models
Robotics, automation and intelligent manufacturing
Design for resilience, safety and accessibility
Materials innovation and adaptive design technologies
Complex systems design and interdisciplinary co-creation

These directions reflect a broader shift in engineering — toward more intelligent, adaptive and sustainable systems that respond to human needs and planetary challenges.

Featured Alumni

Meet Carly Oliver ’22, Design Engineering

I learned a lot during my design courses. I was able to learn hands-on skills in modeling and building, as well as systems thinking and research skills. Employers enjoyed hearing about my well-rounded coursework and how I was able to directly apply my skills learned in projects both inside and outside of the classroom.

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Design Engineering

Bachelor of Science

Delivery Options

Fall 2027 Deadline

Department