Mechanical Engineer
A mechanical engineer is a professional who develops, builds, manufactures, operates and maintains machinery and mechanical systems. These professionals have a deep knowledge of classical and modern mechanics, including thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, structural analysis and machine dynamics.
What is a Mechanical Engineer?
A mechanical engineer is someone who designs, develops, builds and tests mechanical devices, including tools, engines and machines. They work primarily in research and development in manufacturing industries and in government.
This career requires an extensive understanding of physics, mechanics, electronics and industrial engineering to be able to design and develop mechanisms, processes and products.
What does a Mechanical Engineer do?
Mechanical engineers typically do:
- Analyze problems to see how a mechanical device can help solve the problem.
- Design or redesign mechanical devices, creating blueprints so that the device can be built.
- Develop a prototype of the device and test the prototype.
- Analyze the test results and change the design as needed.
- Oversee the manufacturing process.
Mechanical engineers use many types of tools, engines and machines:
- Energy-producing machines such as electric generators, internal combustion engines and steam and gas turbines.
- Machines that use energy, such as refrigeration and air conditioning.
- Industrial production equipment, including robots used in manufacturing.
- Other machines inside buildings, such as elevators and escalators.
- Material handling systems, such as conveyor systems and automated transfer stations.
Like other engineers, mechanical engineers use computers extensively, which help mechanical engineers produce and analyze designs, simulate and test how a machine works, generate specifications for parts, monitor product quality, and control manufacturing and production.
What is a mechanical engineer's workplace like?
Mechanical engineers are the second largest engineering occupation. They work primarily in engineering services, research and development in manufacturing industries and in government. The rest are employed in general-purpose machinery manufacturing, auto parts manufacturing, management of other companies and testing laboratories.
Mechanical engineers generally work in professional office environments. They may occasionally visit work sites where a problem or piece of equipment needs their personal attention. Most mechanical engineers work full-time, with some working up to 60 hours or more per week.
What types of industries can mechanical engineers work in?
Mechanical engineers can find employment practically anywhere innovation takes place, and are sought after by employers in a variety of industries, such as: aerospace, automotive, chemical, construction, defense, electronics, consumer goods, marine, materials and metals, railway and utilities.
Mechanical engineers can also work in other types of jobs, both inside and outside the engineering industry. From developing a prosthetic leg to a new children's toy, a degree in mechanical engineering gives you a diverse range of industries and projects that you can be part of.
