Mechanical Engineer Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a mechanical engineer. Feel free to use our mechanical engineer job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a mechanical engineer.
Who is a Mechanical Engineer?
Mechanical engineering is one of the divisions of engineering which focuses on the production, design, and analysis of machines. This field involves mathematics, and physics, as well as the analysis of the properties of the materials for the production, design, and maintenance of mechanical equipment. Mechanical engineers are accountable for the design and analysis of manufacturing machines and industrial equipment as well as cooling and heating systems, transport systems boats, aircraft, robotics and weapons, medical devices, and many more products.
Some of the sub-disciplines in mechanical engineering are:
- Design
Also referred to as drawing, the field involves the preparation of technical drawings or instructions which aid the manufacture of components.
- Kinematics
This discipline focuses on the study of the movement of bodies, systems, or groups of objects, but not the underlying cause of the motion.
- Robotics and Mechanics
This is a hybrid field because it includes electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, as well as software engineering.
- Thermodynamics
This study examines energy and how it can be transferred from one form into another. Engineers design and create mechanical devices. Every machine you can imagine was designed in the hands of mechanical engineers.
An average day of a mechanical engineer might comprise of analyzing, designing, constructing, and maintaining mechanical systems or processes. A majority of their time is focused on studying and reviewing operational plans. They usually work in offices, however, they can be out in the field to examine or repair equipment. Certain mechanical engineers oversee groups of technician employees and other engineers.
For instance, an energy company would hire an engineer in mechanical engineering to design an innovative portable generator. The mechanical engineer begins the process by conducting a lot of studies into the way portable generators work as well as other portable generators. They will look for problems in other portable generators and start to design solutions to address these problems.
The mechanical engineer will create the generator using blueprints. After the blueprints have been completed, the engineer working on the mechanical design will work with the team of production to develop an initial prototype. Once the prototype is constructed and tested, they’ll conduct tests to discover any problems or find ways to enhance the quality of the product. Once all adjustments are implemented, mechanical engineers will be in charge of the process of manufacturing the product.
The mechanical engineering field is among the most extensive engineering disciplines and encompasses professional branches, including the manufacturing of engines, automobiles, as well as cooling and heating systems.
More complex processes could require the use of computers as well as automated tools. A lot of engineering firms use computer-aided engineering (CAE) programs, such as computer-aided design (CAD) software that creates three-dimensional and two-dimensional models of the parts. Lifecycle management tools for products (PLM) instruments are CAE-based programs that run complex simulations to understand the way objects function and whether it is feasible to produce certain products.
Computer-aided engineering programs may serve only one or two purposes to make the manufacturing of specific parts more affordable. In many cases, the use of computer programs decreases the requirement for manual work. However, certain processes can only be performed by humans.
Mechanical Engineer Job Description
Below are the mechanical engineer job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a mechanical engineer job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a mechanical engineer include the following:
- Examining the needs of mechanical systems, and then designing solutions to address them.
- Making use of the principles of motion, force heat, and energy to design components and create systems that require mechanization
- Thinking about the thermal environment and other environmental conditions the designs will be exposed to and then make design modifications essential for optimal performance
- Testing the designs to ensure they’re safe, efficient, and economical
- Analyzing the product using methods like computational fluid dynamics, as well as finite element analysis
- Creating the moving components of smaller systems, such as sensors for larger systems like cars
- Utilizing computer-aided engineering, which also incorporates computer-aided design, as well as computer-aided manufacturing to create mechanical engineering solutions
- Investigating various issues and finding out how thermo-mechanical and other devices could provide solutions to these problems
- Examining equipment malfunctions and identifying the malfunctions and suggesting solutions
- Utilizing the design concepts to design prototypes
- Testing both thermal and mechanical devices and altering their parameters following the results of tests
- Monitoring the entire manufacturing process of any mechanical or thermal device, starting from early design through to the full operation
- Providing solutions to problems can be found using devices that are thermal and mechanical.
- Utilizing computers to design or modify mechanical devices, or even thermal subsystems
- Assessing operational issues and recommending fixes if equipment malfunctions
- Developing and testing prototypes on their design
- Designing and testing systems as required and then analyzing the results
- Overseeing the entire manufacturing process of the creation of a device
Other essential tasks include:
- Creation of machines
Mechanical engineers may create machines on paper, or with the aid of computers.
- Testing
After a machine has been designed and created by a mechanical engineer, the engineer will test it to make sure that it functions in a variety of settings and conditions.
- Evaluation of machines
Mechanical engineers examine machines and devise solutions to issues that can occur with the use of machines for a long time.
- Maintaining machines
Mechanical engineers also maintain machines regularly to make sure they’re in good working order.
Qualifications
An engineer who is successful in mechanical engineering must have specific qualifications, experience, and certifications.
Education
Becoming a mechanical engineer typically requires the completion of a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering technology, and then receiving an engineering license from the state. Doctoral and Master’s degree programs are also available for those looking to specialize in a particular field in mechanical engineering. Here are the qualifications you need to be awarded to be a professional engineer
- Bachelor’s degree
Following high school graduation, the first step to becoming a mechanical engineer is to earn an undergraduate degree four years in mechanical engineering. Many aspiring mechanical engineers opt to enroll in a bachelor’s program that is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. The courses include engineering, mathematics design, and physical sciences. They focus less on the theory of engineering and more on practical application. Students who have passed the Fundamentals of Engineering exam after their undergraduate degree may be able to apply for positions as engineers at the entry-level.
- Master’s degree
Students looking to become specialists in a specific field of mechanical engineering, for example, robotics, automotive technology, or nuclear energy must pursue master’s programs. The master’s program is typically designed to help students who are interested in mechanical engineering gain a greater understanding of the concepts they learned when they earned their bachelor’s degree.
- Doctoral degree
Mechanical engineers who intend to make a career in teaching or conducting research typically seek the doctoral level. The doctoral programs in mechanical engineering are focused on research and theory which leads to graduates becoming either professors at colleges or researchers in a specific sector.
Training
The practical training aspect is an integral element of becoming a mechanical engineer. Before applying for a Professional Engineering license, applicants are required to have a minimum of four years of professional knowledge. Apart from allowing them to take on higher-level positions in mechanical engineering, experience in the field of professional engineering helps to train engineers on the most important aspects of their job including using the latest software tools and figuring out how to handle challenges.
Certifications
Mechanical engineers are required to have professional engineer certifications to gain access to top-quality positions, as well as specific certificates that relate to the field of engineering in which they would like to be employed. These are the certifications that will allow you to be certified to be licensed as an engineer who is professional as well as to be able to specialize in certain areas:
- Professional Engineer
Mechanical engineers can obtain this certificate after earning their bachelor’s degree and getting through the Fundamentals of Engineering exam. They should also have gotten experience, and pass through the Principles and Practice of Engineering test. The PE certification permits engineers to seek high-end engineering positions.
- Manufacturing Engineer certification
Professional engineers with licenses can specialize in manufacturing engineering. They will gain a greater understanding of creating, building, managing, and operating complicated production systems.
- Certified Systems Engineering Professional
This certification is evidence that a mechanical engineer can handle different engineering-related tasks. In later years, usually after having a minimum of 20 years of system engineering expertise, mechanical engineers can enhance their skills by obtaining certifications such as the Expert Systems Engineering Professional certification.
Essential Skills
- Mathematical abilities
Mechanical engineers usually require advanced mathematics, statistics, calculus, and other math subjects often when they are creating, analyzing, and designing their work.
- Communication skills
An engineering project typically consists of large groups of experts like computer scientists, architects, and other engineers. Mechanical engineers need to be capable of communicating their thoughts to all those who are involved with the task. However, they require an excellent ability to listen as their job is dependent on the analysis and gathering of data from experts who are working on the project.
- Teamwork skills
Mechanical engineers must be capable of communicating with other people who are involved in their projects. They must also be able to collaborate with other professionals to design and develop technology to solve problems.
How to Become a Mechanical Engineer
- Earn your bachelor’s degree
The most important requirement to become a mechanical engineer is an undergraduate degree. You must have a Master in Science of Mechanical Engineering to be able to obtain the majority of entry-level jobs in this area. There are a lot of colleges across the country offering this as a specialization. If you are deciding which college to attend, pick one that has been recognized by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
In your academics, you’ll be taking a variety of classes related to sciences and math. Students in the undergraduate program can expect classes in physical and life sciences, engineering, and advanced math. While in school, you’ll also be able to take classes that are relevant to the area you’d like to pursue. These classes will focus on the specific aspects you must know about this particular field.
A large portion of your study will involve working with the latest Computer-aided Design (CAD) software. The practicals you will take will help you to be vast in the knowledge of working with the most commonly used tools and software that are used within the mechanical engineering field.
- Find your mechanical engineer’s permit
For you to start working as a mechanical engineer, you must first be granted an official license. The licenses are granted by the state in which you intend to work, and the requirements are different between states. Some states, for instance, require ongoing education. But, a part of the requirements in every state is passing the Fundamentals of Engineering test administered through the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying.
- Obtain certifications
There are also certifications mechanical engineers can obtain to demonstrate their competence in various fields. These certificates aren’t typically necessary, but they will provide an enhanced resume to be used in job applications. Certifications are awarded through the American Society for Mechanical Engineers and are granted within different areas.
- Continue to learn
Mechanical engineers can choose to obtain their master’s degree following the completion of their bachelor’s degree. Some schools offer master’s and bachelor’s programs that take 5 years in total. A master’s degree in mechanical engineering can greatly enhance your understanding of the field that will provide you with greater job opportunities and earning potential.
Where to Work as a Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical engineers are typically employed in engineering services, research, development, and manufacturing divisions. They are most likely to spend the majority of their time indoors, sitting in office spaces. They will visit sites for projects whenever an issue that requires an on-site investigation occurs. The work typically involves collaboration with a variety of specialists, such as engineers, computer scientists, architects, and other experts in the field.
Mechanical Engineer Salary Scale
Mechanical engineers earn an average salary of $94,924 per annum in the United States.