What kind of jobs mechanical engineers do

Mechanical engineers held about , jobs in The largest employers of mechanical engineers were as follows:. In most settings, they work with other engineers, engineering technicians, and other professionals as part of a team. Mechanical engineers who sell services publicly must be licensed in all states and the District of Columbia.

Mechanical engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technologies.

Mechanical engineering programs usually include courses in mathematics and life and physical sciences, as well as engineering and design. Mechanical engineering technology programs focus less on theory and more on the practical application of engineering principles.

They may emphasize internships and co-ops to prepare students for work in industry. Some 5-year or even 6-year cooperative plans combine classroom study with practical work, enabling students to gain valuable experience and earn money to finance part of their education.

ABET accredits programs in engineering and engineering technology. Most employers prefer to hire students from an accredited program.

A degree from an ABET-accredited program is usually necessary to become a licensed professional engineer. Mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery. A creative mind is essential for this kind of work. Listening skills. Mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists. They must listen to and analyze different approaches made by other experts to complete the task at hand.

Math skills. Mechanical engineers use the principles of calculus, statistics, and other advanced subjects in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work. Mechanical skills. Mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems.

Problem-solving skills. Mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products. Licensure is not required for entry-level positions as a mechanical engineer. Licensed engineers are called professional engineers PEs. A PE can oversee the work of other engineers, sign off on projects, and provide services directly to the public.

State licensure generally requires. Several states require engineers to take continuing education to renew their licenses every year. Several professional organizations offer a variety of certification programs for engineers to demonstrate competency in specific fields of mechanical engineering.

Mechanical engineers may earn graduate degrees in engineering or business administration to learn new technology, broaden their education, and enhance their project management skills.

Mechanical engineers may become administrators or managers after gaining work experience. Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U. Source: U. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. In May , the median annual wages for mechanical engineers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program. Mechanical engineers work in many industries and on many types of projects. As a result, employment growth for these workers will vary by industry. As manufacturing processes incorporate more complex automation machinery, mechanical engineers are expected to be needed to help plan for and design this equipment. In automotive manufacturing, these engineers will play a key role in improving the range and performance of hybrid and electric cars.

However, employment declines in some industries may temper overall employment growth of mechanical engineers. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link s below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area. All state projections data are available at www. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state.

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code. This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of mechanical engineers.

Drafters use software to convert the designs of engineers and architects into technical drawings. Job prospects may be best for those who stay abreast of the most recent advances in technology.

Related Careers : Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of mechanical engineers with similar occupations. Following is everything you need to know about a career as a Mechanical Engineer with lots of details. As a first step, take a look at some of the following Mechanical Engineer jobs, which are real jobs with real employers. You will be able to see the very real job career requirements for employers who are actively hiring.

The link will open in a new tab so that you can come back to this page to continue reading about the career:. We are looking for a highly motivated Senior Mechanical Engineer , who will provide high quality and innovative solutions to a wide range of challenging problems and contribute to the completion of Our Mechanical engineers research, design, develop, test, certify, deploy and improve cutting edge products and services.

These cover a very wide range from advanced mission payloads and electronic Mechanical engineers research, design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices, including tools, engines, and machines. Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering fields. Mechanical engineers design and oversee the manufacture of many products ranging from medical devices to new batteries.

Mechanical engineers design power-producing machines, such as electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines, as well as power-using machines, such as refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. Mechanical engineers design other machines inside buildings, such as elevators and escalators.

They also design material-handling systems, such as conveyor systems and automated transfer stations. Like other engineers, mechanical engineers use computers extensively. Mechanical engineers are routinely responsible for the integration of sensors, controllers, and machinery. Computer technology helps mechanical engineers create and analyze designs, run simulations and test how a machine is likely to work, interact with connected systems, and generate specifications for parts.

Auto research engineers seek to improve the performance of cars. These engineers work to improve traditional features of cars such as suspension, and they also work on aerodynamics and new possible fuels. Heating and cooling systems engineers work to create and maintain environmental systems wherever temperatures and humidity must be kept within certain limits.

They develop such systems for airplanes, trains, cars, schools, and even computer rooms. Robotic engineers plan, build, and maintain robots. These engineers plan how robots will use sensors for detecting things based on light or smell, and they design how these sensors will fit into the designs of the robots.

Mechanical engineers hold about , jobs. The largest employers of mechanical engineers are as follows:. Mechanical engineers generally work in offices. In most settings, they work with other engineers, engineering technicians, and other professionals as part of a team. Get the education you need: Find schools for Mechanical Engineers near you! Mechanical engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology.

Mechanical engineers who sell services publicly must be licensed in all states and the District of Columbia. Mechanical engineering programs usually include courses in mathematics and life and physical sciences, as well as engineering and design. Mechanical engineering technology programs focus less on theory and more on the practical application of engineering principles. They may emphasize internships and co-ops to prepare students for work in industry.

Some colleges and universities offer 5-year programs that allow students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree. Some 5-year or even 6-year cooperative plans combine classroom study with practical work, enabling students to gain valuable experience and earn money to finance part of their education. ABET accredits programs in engineering and engineering technology. Most employers prefer to hire students from an accredited program. A degree from an ABET-accredited program is usually necessary to become a licensed professional engineer.

Mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery. A creative mind is essential for this kind of work. Listening skills. Mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists. They must listen to and analyze different approaches made by other experts to complete the task at hand. They often work with computer models and other technical equipment.

Engineering requires advanced quantitative knowledge, so mechanical engineers are often also qualified to work as mathematicians. Professionals in this area analyze statistical information and apply mathematical principles to solve complex technical problems in science and engineering. They normally work as part of a team alongside other scientists and engineering experts.

Nuclear engineers research nuclear energy, keep nuclear reactors operating safely, and find new uses for nuclear power, which requires many of the same skills mechanical engineers have. They also develop the tools and processes needed to safely work with radiation and other highly sensitive materials. Most nuclear engineers work in industrial or medical settings, generating new forms of power or developing sophisticated biomedical devices. Many learners choose to become mechanical engineers because the role aligns with their natural abilities and pre-existing skill profiles.

Analytical people who enjoy technical challenges and have solid skills in identifying patterns through deductive and inductive reasoning thrive as engineers.

The occupation is also a great fit for students interested in mathematics, technology, or the physical sciences. Mechanical engineers identify mechanical problems and work to build new tools and machines to solve those problems. Finding those solutions requires patience, technical know-how, and effective time management. Success is often determined by experimentation, trial and error, and consistent troubleshooting.

As such, mechanical engineers often derive satisfaction from designing efficient and streamlined engineering solutions to increase productivity and improve societal infrastructure. Aspiring mechanical engineers need an accredited undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering or a related field, and savvy degree-seekers will seek a course of study that builds skills in additional areas.

If you want to work in the technology sector, for example, enrolling in a program that builds skills in computational dynamics and nanotechnology will broaden your employment prospects. Additional tips for landing work as a mechanical engineer include starting professional networking before graduation, pursuing additional certifications that verify transferable skills, and seeking out continuing education opportunities after graduation.

Many mechanical engineering programs offer career development initiatives, as do professional organizations like those listed below. These programs are a great way to jumpstart your engineering career. American Society of Mechanical Engineers. This organization promotes the multidisciplinary practice of engineering in allied science and other areas. It offers certification and accreditation resources as well as continuing education opportunities for new and experienced mechanical engineers.

Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Established in , IME boasts over , members in countries. It offers extensive training opportunities and regularly releases useful information on industry sectors in need of skilled mechanical engineers. Society of Women Engineers.