‫الجمهورية الجزائرية الديمقراطية الشعبية‬

People's Democratic Republic

of Algeria
‫وزارة التعليم العالي و البحث العلمي‬
Ministry of Higher Education
and Scientific Research

Course N°1
What are engineering
sciences?

Presented by : Mme ATTIA Selma

2024/2025
 Chapter 1
What are engineering sciences?

1.1. Definitions

A job (profession) is a human activity, usually for profit. It's also an acquired skill, and when
the job allows it, an improvement in that skill.

A science: a coherent body of knowledge relating to certain categories of facts, objects or

phenomena obeying laws and/or verified by experimental methods.

Technique: All the applications of scientific knowledge to the production of utilitarian needs
and products.

Technology: Study of industrial techniques considered as a whole or within a specific field of

activity.

Knowledge: All the general or specialized knowledge required to perform an activity. It may
be theoretical or technical knowledge, or the tools needed to solve a given problem. Example:
academic knowledge, knowledge of languages, computer skills... etc. Knowledge answers the
question "I know, I know, I've learned...".

Know-how (être): A set of personality traits, behaviors and reactions adapted to a given social
environment. Savoir-être: answer the question "I am", "To do well, I have to be...". Know-how" is
subdivided into three different levels: conceptual, relational and contextual.

The conceptual know-how Relational know-how Contextual know-how

is focused on the posture of the It is focused on the report and the aIl is focused on taking into
person in fulfillment of a task. link between with others in the account a environment or a
fulfillment of a task". situation, and on the reaction of
the person in the fulfillment of a
task"
-Sense of analysis -The meaning of human relations - Ability to adapt

-Spirit of synthesis - Have a team spirit - Sense of organization

- Sense of innovation/creativity - Be attentive - Sense of responsibility

- Critical sense - Sense of pedagogy - Self-control Responsiveness

- Being rigorous - Show diplomacy

- Being autonomous - Show authority

- Sense of initiative - Exercise discretion

-Be persistent

- Intellectual curiosity

Know-how (faire): This is the set of technical skills needed to accomplish a task. Acquired
through experience of varying lengths, not only through salaried work, but also through
associative activities, as well as all activities carried out in daily life. Example: operating a
machine, carrying out audits, performing statistical analyses, repairing computer equipment, etc.

1.2. The engineering profession

A profession is the exercise by a person of an activity in a specific field, involving professional

know-how, daily tasks, responsibilities and remuneration. A profession is not limited to salary,
social status and working hours. It involves specific work, which distinguishes it from other
jobs, and calls for specific skills. A job develops: we progress with the experience and
investment we put into it, we strengthen our skills, and this becomes our expertise, which can
be used with differentcustomers.

1.2.1. What's an engineer's job?

First and foremost, the engineer's role is to solve concrete and often complex technical
problems. To achieve this, he draws on the solid knowledge he acquired during his training and
the know-how he inherited from his experience.

1.2.2. Job descriptions to become an engineer

Engineers play a role in the creation of most of the products we own. They can work in a variety
of sectors within a company. This professional versatility enables them to build up diverse
career paths over the course of their careers.

Continuous advances in technology and the technical sophistication of equipment, as well as

the substantial resources invested in certain devices, mean that companies are increasingly
staffed by engineers, often to the detriment of technicians and other experienced professionals.

The engineer's tasks are as follows:

• Follows and accompanies a given project (product, system, service) from its
development to its implementation. It is involved at every stage of the production
chain,
• be able to justify the various technical malfunctions associated with the project
launch,and work to resolve them,
• A specialist in the entire industrial chain, the engineer ensures that the product or
service complies with specifications. One of their priorities is to ensure that the
concept is as competitive as possible on the market,
• understand all the possible implications of the project (budgetary, human,
commercial,environmental) and provide appropriate solutions.

1.2.3. Qualities required to become an engineer

• The engineer's many responsibilities require him/her to have a high level of technical
knowledge, including economic, human and environmental skills. As a result, they have
an infallible general and scientific culture.
 • In addition to their technical skills, engineers need to have a well-developed ability to
managepeople, projects and companies. More than an expert, they are also a manager.

• He spends a large part of his working time studying the project in terms of the human,
economic and financial constraints involved.

• This position of responsibility also requires a high level of mental strength and
autonomy. Working hours are variable, and the engineer must be flexible and adaptable.

1.2.4. Training to become an engineer

Today, engineering school remains the surest route into the profession. The university
curriculum ranges from three to five years, depending on whether admission is directly after
the baccalaureate or after two years of scientific preparatory classes. The technical master's
degree.

1.2.5. Engineering job functions

The engineering profession is an evolving one, requiring skills, intuition, methodology and
great adaptability. Engineers can perform a number of functions, such as :
❖ Design,
❖ Production,
❖ Operation,
❖ Maintenance,
❖ Distribution,
❖ Technical sales or after-sales service.

1.3. History and challenges of the 21stème century:

✓ We're in the 21stème century, and the technical engineer is out of fashion. The
engineering profession is no longer limited to conceptual and technical skills. Engineers
are no longer engineers once and for all.

✓ The engineer of the 21ème century must transform the company's existing products and
services into new ones. They are now at the heart of applied research and innovation.

✓ He/she manages the life cycle of products and services in the company's catalog,
working with marketing teams to ensure that customer expectations are taken into
account in the innovation process.

✓ He must assess the commercial potential of his innovation, participate in the

development ofthe commercial strategy and in the marketing of his innovation.

✓ He/she must manage teams in strict compliance with occupational health standards to
provide quality after-sales service to customers, with a view to building customer
loyalty and guaranteeing the company's growth.
 ✓ He negotiates national and international partnership agreements to ensure the
international expansion of his innovation in a globalized world.

✓ The new constraints of the 21ème century require engineers to have only their ethics,
valuesand interpersonal skills as a compass. They must have the necessary charisma,
and be equally at ease with top management, staff and subordinates.

1.4. Find a job (profession)

Finding a job is no easy task in the current economic climate. To be effective, it's not the
quantity of applications you send out, but their quality that makes the difference. Exploration,
organization and preparation: these are the three key steps to success:

1.4.1. Target your search

First and foremost, it's important not to spread yourself too thin, but to focus on what you're
looking for and be able to explain it clearly. A recruiter who receives an application that doesn't
fit with what he's looking for will quickly eliminate it.

1.4.2. Getting organized

Often overlooked, organization is essential in a job search. In particular, you need to take note
of all the details of each position and each application.

Good organization also includes regularly updating your profile on job boards and using a
dedicated mailbox to send your application and collect replies.

1.4.3. Getting ready

Before any interview with a recruiter, you need to prepare yourself. You need to gather as much
information as possible about the position to be filled, the missions, the contact, the company's
activity, its results, its market, its functioning, its values... so as to demonstrate your
seriousness and motivation during the interview.

1.5. Search a recruitment ad by keyword

Using keywords enables you to carry out a targeted search. A keyword can be a job title, a
particular skill, the name of a company or a locality.

1.5.1. How can keywords get you a job?

A keyword, when used in a job search, is a word or term that is related to the type of job you
are looking for. When you search for a job by keyword, all jobs containing the word or term
you have entered will be listed in the publication. Using keywords can help you eliminate jobs
that don't match, and allow you to search more efficiently.
 Most job boards allow job seekers to search for vacancies by keyword and location, as well as
more advanced search options.

If you're looking for jobs as an electrical engineer, you can use terms like
We'll search for "electrical engineer" or "electrical engineering", plus your location and other
search criteria such as job type or experience required.

When you have skills that can be used in a variety of roles, search by terms describing your
skill set to find jobs that match.

1.5.2. Keywords to use

It depends on your field and the type of job you want. Here are some of the keyword
categories you can use to refine your search:

• Field or industry: While this doesn't limit the results too much, start by defining the
field or industry you'd like to work in, e.g. "telecommunications engineering". Once you
see the results, you can add more keywords to ensure more relevant results, and a
slimmer list of jobs to browse.

• Location: It's up to you to decide how specific you'd like to be. You can put in a city,
or even a zip code. You can search by location using advanced search options,available
on most job sites.

• Desired job title: You can try putting in your desired title, but keep in mind that not
all companies use the same titles. One company may call the job "project coordinator".
Try different variants to see what generates the best results.

• Skills, tools and industry-specific: In addition to searching by job title, you can search
by the functionality required by a job. For example, you can search by a programming
language or the skills required to perform the job.

• Company names: If you happen to have a dream company you'd like to work for, or a
giant multinational you know has lots of openings at any given time, you can search
directly by company name.

• Job type: When searching for a specific job type, you can refine the search results by
defining terms such as full-time, part-time, contract, self-employed, internship, distance
... etc.
1.5.3. Job search keywords

Cover letter keywords : Your cover letter will be keyword-searched if you send it to a job site.
Here's how to use the keywords skills, results and recognition in your cover letter to increase
your chances of being selected for an interview.

CV keywords: Most companies use recruitment management software to select candidates for
job offers. Resume keywords are the words that hiring managers look for when browsing their
resume database. Here's what you need to know about CV keywords.

1.6. Creating a simple job description

1.6.1. What is a job description?

This is an HR document listing all the activities and tasks of an employee for a given job. It
formalizes the missions and related skills for each job, as well as all the useful information for
different uses.

A job description is a communication tool that provides a description of the various

characteristics of a job and its environment:

• Job title,
• Company name,
• Position in the organization chart,
• Working environment and conditions (workplace, work pace, etc.)
• Access to the position and conditions of employment (e.g. salary, type of contract,
location, working hours, etc.),
• Description of tasks and activities (frequency and importance),
• Training and experience required,
• Skills required (knowledge, know-how, interpersonal skills),
• The challenges of the job,
• Relations with other positions,
• Compensation.

1.6.2. What is the purpose of the job description?

Used internally, the job description enables an employee's skills to be assessed in relation to
expected performance. Used for recruitment purposes, the job description enables the company
to express its needs and to communicate to candidates, through the job advertisement, the skills
required to perform the job.

Precise wording is therefore very important to optimize the recruitment process.

Example 1 - Electrical design engineer

Job title: Electrical design engineer

Company: Softal - Construction

Field: fast-growing industrial engineering company

Workplace: Algiers

Job duties:
• Draw up specifications,
• Prepare list of engineering study deliverables with CEE,
• Participate in adjusting the delivery schedule for studies relating to its specialty,
• Check technical documents provided by the customer (studies, technical
specifications, etc.),
• Draw up electrical engineering studies (heavy current),
• Dimension electrical equipment (technical specifications),
• Dimension and calculate electrical networks,
• Define electrical equipment and accessories,
• Define schematic diagrams (general distribution and electrical cabinets),
• Draw up detailed execution plans for electrical networks.

Develop engineering studies :

• Draw up project supply lists,
• Define technical specifications for project supplies,
• Attend project negotiation meetings with the customer,
• Attend project coordination meetings,
• Carry out site visits to assist the project manager,
• Take charge of modifications and additions t o electrical engineering s t u d i e s
requested by the customer,
• Prepare the technical documentation for the Electrical package required f o r project
execution.

Profile required:
• Graduate fromgraduate education, frompreferably engineer electrical
engineering, electromechanical engineering or electronics,
• At least 5 years' experience in studies.

Skills required:
• Software skills: Autocad and REVIT,
• Organizational, communication and group leadership skills,
• Ability to listen and initiative.
Course: Engineering professions Chapter 1

Example 2 - Electrical design engineer

Job title: Mechanical engineer

Company: Lift Systems

Business sector: Distribution and trading of production equipment

Workplace: Algiers

Type of contract: Fixed-term contract or Assignment

Main tasks :
• Assists and advises management on decisions relating to diagnostics, equipment
appraisals and repair methods,
• Ensures preventive maintenance of production equipment,
• Adjusts mechanical assemblies and sub-assemblies,
• Visits the equipment in its area on a daily basis and rectifies any anomalies,
• He intervenes to troubleshoot production equipment, at the request of his superiors,
• Propose any modifications or improvements to good maintenance practices for
production equipment,
• Ensures tool preservation,
• Reports daily on work performed,
• Completes intervention reports and briefly analyzes activities.

Profile required:
• Mechanical engineering degree or equivalent,
• Experience in elevators and freight elevators.

Skills required:
• Master maintenance practices and continuous improvement techniques,
• Knowledge of SolidWorks software preferred,
• Sense of initiative,
• Team spirit,
• People skills.

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Course: Engineering professions Chapter 1

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