The production, transmission, and use of power are the concerns of mechanical engineers. They design and develop power-producing machines such as internal combustion engines and rocket engines and power-using machines such as refrigeration systems, printing presses, and steel rolling mills.
The specific work of mechanical engineers varies greatly from industry to industry because of the wide application possibilities of their skills and training; many specialties within the field have developed as a result. These include motor vehicles, energy conversion systems, heating, and machines for specialized industries, to name a few. Many mechanical engineers are involved in research and testing while others work mainly in production and maintenance. Some utilize their training as a background for technical sales.
Mechanical engineering is one of the most expansive engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers research, design, develop, build, and test mechanical devices, including tools, engines, and machines.
Mechanical engineers characteristically analyze problems to see how a mechanical device might help solve the problem and design or redesign mechanical devices, creating blueprints so the device can be built. They also oversee the manufacturing process for the device.
Places of Employment and Working Conditions
Mechanical engineers are the second-largest engineering profession, with mechanical engineers holding about 277,500jobs in 2015. They work mostly in engineering services, research and development, manufacturing industries, and the federal government. The rest are employed in general-purpose machinery manufacturing, automotive parts manufacturing, management of other companies, and testing laboratories.
Mechanical engineers generally work in professional office settings. They may occasionally visit worksites where a problem or piece of equipment needs their personal attention. Most mechanical engineers work full time, with some working as many as 60 hours or more per week. Certain companies like Tesla are notorious for demanding long hours from their engineering teams.
Qualifications, Education, and Training
Mechanical engineers must have a bachelor's degree at the very least. A graduate degree is usually needed to be employed or promoted into managerial positions. Mechanical engineers who sell services publicly must be licensed in every state and the District of Columbia.
Mechanical engineering degree programs typically comprise courses in mathematics and life and physical sciences, as well as engineering and design courses. The programs typically last 4 years, but many students take between 4 and 5 years to earn a degree. A mechanical engineering degree program may incorporate internships and co-ops to get students ready for work in industry. Theory is often another central emphasis, in order to prepare students for graduate-level work.
Graduate training is crucial for engineering faculty positions in higher education, as well as for some research-and-development programs. Many veteran mechanical engineers get graduate degrees in engineering or business administration to learn new technology and broaden their education. Many become administrators or managers after obtaining a graduate degree.
Potential and Advancement
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of mechanical engineers is expected to increase by 5%—about average—between 2014 and 2024.. Job prospects are greatest for those who stay well-informed of the latest advances in technology. Mechanical engineers can work in many industries and on many types of projects. As a result, their growth rate will vary by the industries that employ them.
Mechanical engineers should see demand in architectural, engineering, and related services as businesses continue to hire temporary engineering services as a cost-cutting measure rather than keeping engineers on staff. Mechanical engineers will also be employed in many manufacturing industries—specifically, transportation equipment and machinery manufacturing. Machinery will continue to be in demand as machines become the preferred option over more expensive human labor.
The emergence and speedy growth of nanotechnology, which involves handling matter at the smallest levels, may affect employment for mechanical engineers because they will be needed to design production projects based on this technology. Nanotechnology will be valuable in designing more potent computer chips.
Income
According to the US Bureau of Labor Department, the median annual wage of mechanical engineers was $83,590 in 2015.
Related Jobs
Related jobs include architectural and engineering managers, drafters, materials engineers, mathematicians, mechanical engineering, petroleum engineers, natural sciences managers, sales engineers, physicists, and astronomers.
