Do Engineers Need to Be Good at Math? Engineers must be able to use math and science to address real-world problems. To thrive in this field, you do not need to be a mathematician, but you must be able to employ math in your daily work. Engineers must be able to apply mathematical principles during the design process, and a calculation error can lead to costly mistakes. A civil engineer, for example, would use trigonometry to calculate the slope of a road, while a mechanical engineer might use calculus to determine how much force is required to move an object. Engineering students may need to take algebra, geometry, trigonometry, linear analysis, calculus, differential equations and mathematical modeling, statistics, and other science courses that require math, such as physics. The type of math required may differ depending on the engineering expertise. To be an engineer, you must be proficient in math, as well as possess excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical-thinking abilities. Even if math is not your favorite subject, you can thrive in this field with effort and determination.