They are also valuable and reliable multidisciplinary team members. The technical subject areas that form the main basis for their work include mechanics, energy transfer and conversion, design and manufacturing, and the engineering sciences. Through clever use of analysis, modeling, design, and synthesis, they solve important problems to improve quality of life. Mechanical engineers work on teams responsible for developing a wide range of products and systems including, for example, space shuttle vehicles, aircraft of all sizes and shapes, automobiles, turbines, pumps, power plants, and factories.
Virtually any machine or process you can think of has benefited from the influence of a mechanical engineer. Everyday conveniences such as refrigeration, microwave cooking, high-fidelity sound reproduction, transportation, communication, and copying are affordable largely because mechanical and other engineers worked together to make it happen.
Mechanical engineers are in demand now, and projections for the future suggest a long-term need for professionals in this specialty. A mechanical engineering degree is an excellent foundation for success in the engineering profession and also for further training and subsequent achievement in other disciplines including business, law, and the sciences. 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. Materials engineers develop, process, and test materials used to create a wide range of products. Mathematicians and statisticians analyze data and apply computational techniques to solve problems. Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians help mechanical engineers design, develop, test, and manufacture machines and other devices.
Natural sciences managers supervise the work of scientists, including chemists, physicists, and biologists. Nuclear engineers research and develop the processes, instruments, and systems used to derive benefits from nuclear energy and radiation. For more information about general engineering education and mechanical engineering career resources, visit.
American Society of Mechanical Engineers. American Society for Engineering Education. Technology Student Association.
Recruitment agencies such as Matchtech and Hays advertise vacancies and handle contract vacancies, particularly for experienced engineers. Find out about employers before your final year and make contact with them at engineering recruitment fairs. It's possible to enter the engineering industry through a graduate training scheme. If you do this, you'll complete a structured course of training, which usually involves working within a variety of disciplines.
It's likely that you'll work towards gaining chartered engineer status CEng , which is an internationally-recognised qualification awarded by the Engineering Council. This will give you higher earning potential and improved career prospects. You'll need to be a member of a professional institution, such as IET or IMechE, so that you can apply through them for professional registration.
The process of becoming chartered is more straightforward if you have an accredited undergraduate degree, along with a Masters or an accredited integrated MEng degree. To see which qualifications are accredited see the Engineering Council. Most large firms offer structured training and encourage continuing professional development CPD. Usually, firms offer in-service training and short courses for specific needs.
This may include placements in different departments to widen your experience. Most careers in engineering lead to a senior position with responsibility for other staff or larger projects and budgets. If you're required to lead teams or manage projects, developing people management skills will be helpful. Gaining chartered status CEng is a significant help in career progression - this is proof that you've met a standard of experience and knowledge in the engineering profession.
Also, all chartered engineers who are members of a professional engineering institution and registered with the Engineering Council are eligible to apply for European Engineer Eur Ing status. This is useful for working internationally. You may decide to develop additional skills, such as business or management skills, to get involved with larger projects and take on greater responsibility.
Good commercial awareness is also important for career development. You may be able to move into business functions, such as procurement, sales and marketing or human resources HR. Once you have developed your technical skills, you can move into senior engineering posts, such as engineering director. You could also consider moving into engineering consultancy. Jobs and work experience Search graduate jobs Job profiles Work experience and internships Employer profiles What job would suit me?
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