Working as a Mechanical Engineer

Working as a mechanical engineer can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. Mechanical engineers work to design,
build and analyze motor vehicles, aircraft, heating and cooling systems, watercraft, manufacturing plants, industrial
equipment and machinery, robotics, medical devices, alternative energy and more.
Mechanical engineering has a long history, and mechanical engineers join a host of renowned inventors such as
Archimedes (Golden Crown, Archimedes Screw, Claw of Archimedes), Henry Ford (Ford Motor Company), Rudolf
Diesel (diesel engine) and Bill Nye the Science Guy (hydraulic pressure resonance suppressor used in the Boeing 747).

Financial
Mechanical engineering is a challenging, lucrative profession. The latest statistics from the U.S. Census (2012) report
the mean annual salary for a mechanical engineer at $84,770. The Cockrell School of Engineering Salaries and Statistics
report states the 2012 average starting for a mechanical engineer from this department was $69,044. By
comparison, the U.S. Census reports a mean salary for all occupations in 2012 as $45,790.

Fields
Mechanical engineering is an incredibly broad field, and provides the engineer a number of different areas in which to
work. Following is summary of the areas included in mechanical engineering.
Basic Engineering
Mechanical engineers deal with the mechanics of motion and the transfer of energy.

Applied Mechanics

Applied Mechanics looks at shock and vibration, dynamics and motion, and fracture and failure in components.

Fluids Engineering

There are mechanics involved in anything that flows air, water, sand, oil, etc. Fluids engineers design and build
systems that control or utilize flow, such as pumps, turbines, compressors, valves, pipelines and fluid systems in
vehicles.

Heat Transfer

Heat moves in systems all around us, from computers, to automobiles, to ventilation systems. The field of heat
transfer deals with combustion, power generation and transmission systems, process equipment, electronic devices,

thermal controls in manufacturing, environmental controls, biotechnology, aerospace applications, transportation

equipment and even cryogenics.

Bioengineering

Nearly every part of the human body may be described in mechanical terms. Bioengineering deals with artificial
organs, biomechanics, biomaterials, bio-instrumentation, biotransport processes, human factors, medical devices,
biomedical modeling and biological systems.

Tribology

Tribology deals with interacting surfaces in motion. It looks at friction, lubrication and wear. Any products which
involves two surfaces rubbing against one another is the concern of a tribologist.
Energy Conversion
Our world is incredibly dependent on the conversion of energy into useful forms. A mechanical engineer is extremely
important in this conversion.

Internal Combustion Engines

IC engines are not only used in automobiles, but are also used in aircrafts, marine vessels and even some stationary
applications such as electric generators.

Fuels & Combustion Technologies

Some mechanical engineers specialize in fuels and combustion systems. In addition to working with combustion
systems, they also deal with fuel processing, alternative fuels, fuel handling, transportation and storage.

Triga Reactor Core

Power Engineering

Mechanical engineers work in power engineering in the design and production of electricity-producing systems.
Energy Resources
In addition to working in the conversion of energy, mechanical engineers may also work in finding and developing
new forms of energy.

Advanced Energy Systems

Mechanical engineers develop new energy systems such as power cycle devices, fuel cells, gas turbines and many
others.

Solar Engineering

Mechanical engineers develop solar energy collectors and new and innovative ways to utilize solar energy.

Nuclear Engineering

Mechanical engineers may design and develop nuclear reactors and components, such as heat exchangers, radioactive
waste systems and new fuel technologies.

Petroleum

The petroleum industry has been an important part of our lives for quite a while. Mechanical engineers work on oil
and gas drilling and production, offshore and arctic operations, hydrocarbon processing, synfuels and coal
technology, materials, equipment design and manufacture, fuel transport, new fuel technologies and pollution
control.

Ocean, Offshore & Arctic Engineering

Much of our energy sources already comes from offshore sources. Mechanical engineers design and build ocean
structures, systems, hyperbaric chambers, life support equipment, marine vehicles, submersibles and ROV's,
propulsion systems, remote sensing systems, moorings and buoys, ship structures and ocean mining equipment.
Environment & Transportation
Getting from one place to another is something that affects every person every day of their lives. Mechanical engineers
work to move us and our goods quickly and more efficiently. In addition, the effect that transportation, and other
factors, have on the environment is something that concerns us all.

Aerospace & Automotive

Mechanical engineers design propulsion engines and structural component systems, crew and passenger
accommodations and life support systems. They also develop the equipment used to build automotive, aircraft,
marine and space vehicles.

Environmental Engineering

Environmental conditions normally deal with a mechanical process, the movement of heat, noise and pollutants
through soil, water and air. Mechanical engineers can study the effects of these processes and work to reduce their
impact on the environment.

Noise Control & Acoustics

Section of a wall of a RF anechoic chamber *

Photo by: prismatic

Sound is very much a mechanical phenomenon. It deals with the movement of vibrations through solids, liquids and
gasses. A background in mechanical engineering can help to solve acoustical problems in noise control, industrial
acoustics, and acoustic materials and structures.

Rail Transportation

Mechanical engineers design, build and maintain rail systems which help move people and goods every day. New
developments are being applied to develop a new generation of locomotives for freight, passenger and transit services.

Solid Waste Processing

Solid waste processing is an important part of environmental protection. Mechanical engineers develop solid waste
processing facilities, and work in areas related to recycling, resource recovery and waste-to-energy biomass
conversion.
Manufacturing
Mechanical engineers are critical in making a product become reality.

Manufacturing Engineering

About half of mechanical engineers work for a company that makes something, whether it be consumer goods,
transportation or industrial equipment. The work is as varied as the products that are produced.

Materials Handling Engineering

Handling materials can be challenging when the material is costly, exotic or dangerous. Some mechanical engineers
specialize in materials handling, transportation, handling equipment or hazard control technologies.

Plant Engineering & Maintenance

Manufacturing plants often need to be updated. Mechanical engineers are crucial in this process.

Process Industries

A process engineer changes materials from one form to another so that they can be used in new and interesting ways.
A mechanical engineer will design and build the machines that heat, cool, liquefy, harden or soften substances.

Textile Engineering

Textile companies seek out mechanical engineers in the design and production of the machines and plants that handle
fabrics, weave or knit fabrics, manufacture apparel and handle the finished products.

Material sample after three-point bend test

Photo by: Sarah Grice

Materials & Structures

Mechanical engineers have to use a variety of different materials when making a product. The design and production
of these materials is also an important process for a mechanical engineer.

Materials Engineering

A materials mechanical engineer focuses on properties of materials and their effect on design, fabrication, quality,
and performance. They work to create materials which can be cast, forged, stamped, rolled, machined or welded.

Non-Destructive Evaluation

Nondestructive testing is necessary to determine the quality of a device without dismantling it. Mechanical engineers
use x-rays, ultrasound, magnetic particle inspection, infrared and other techniques.

Pressure Vessels & Piping

Pressure vessels and piping are critical in many industries, and mechanical engineers develop materials that resist
fatigue and fracture, plan the fabrication of equipment, perform inspections and tests, and design components.
Systems & Design
Most mechanical engineers work in the design and control of mechanical, electromechanical and fluid power systems.
Design engineers take into account a truly wide number of factors in the course of their work, such as: product
performance, cost, safety, manufacturability, serviceability, human factors, aesthetic appearance, durability,
reliability, environmental impact and recyclability.

Dynamic Systems & Control

Dynamic systems need to be controlled. Typical applications of DSC include novel transducer designs, biomechanics
at the cellular and human scale, dynamics and control of power and vehicle systems, and innovations in signal and
information theory. These engineers are needed in a vast number of areas aerospace and transportation,
biomedical equipment, production machinery, energy and fluid power systems, expert systems and environmental
systems.

Fluid Power Systems & Technology

An excavator, which employs hydraulic power systems, demolishes the old Experimental Sciences building to make way for new
construction

Hydraulic and pneumatics systems are in everyday use. Mechanical engineers are needed to design and build these
systems that could be used in automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, power industries and any situations that call for
a flexible and precise application of power in large amounts.

Information Storage & Processing Systems

With the vast amounts of data that are stored in computer systems today, mechanical engineers are needed to design
and manufacture the devices to store this data. They are normally involved in hard disk technologies, data storage and
equipment, wear and lubrication in data storage devices, micro-sensors and controls.

Microelectromechanical Systems

Microelectromechanical systems combine computers with tiny mechanical devices such as sensors, valves, gears and
actuators embedded in semiconductor chips. Mechanical engineers are needed for the design and development of
these high-tech devices

1.

Study mathematics, science, and computer in high school.

Study pre-calculus and, if possible, calculus at a high school level, and
be sure to take chemistry and physics classes in high school. Physics
and calculus are the back bones of engineering courses; understanding
them is key to getting a degree. Certain types of engineering will require
knowledge of computer programming, learn it sooner than later.
Participate in math contests and science fairs. Try engineering
contests, too, if they are active in your area.
Develop hobbies related to mechanical engineering. These may
include astronomy, rocketry, geology, auto mechanics, bicycle repair,
welding, or even robotics. Any sort of tinkering is good practice
Learn to use different sorts of tools. Hammers and screwdrivers are a
great place to start, but there are many more types than that. If you have
the opportunity to take a wood, metals, or plastics shop class, do so.
Auto shop is also a good choice. Don't forget to learn about various
kinds of measuring tools, too
Take stuff apart. Ask friends and family to give you appliances and
other machines that have broken, or gather them inexpensively from
garage sales or even neighbors' curbs. Then, open them up and see
what makes them go. If you can put something back together so that it
works, great! If not, figure out what's inside and see what you can learn
from it before throwing it out. If you're still not sure what's going on in
there, look it up and find out

Explore the field of electronics, which may include activities such

as ham radio and computer repair. Build stereo speakers for fun.
Constructing speakers requires both woodworking and electrical skills.
Learn the resistor code for fun. Although electronics are more closely
associated with electrical engineering, mechanical engineers need, at
the very least, to be able to communicate with electrical engineers. More
and more systems are electromechanical, so it's good to know a bit of
both. Some mechanical engineers do specialize in electrical engineering
and become electromechanical engineers.
Take drafting classes. Even though some engineering schools do not
offer drafting classes, drafting classes may be available at the high
school or community college level. If at all possible, learn a CAD
(computer-aided drafting) program or two

Develop solid written communication skills. Documentation and

technical writing skills are a must in many mechanical engineering jobs.
Invent something. It doesn't have to be the next light bulb, or even a
new idea. It could be something as simple as a bent wire coat hanger to
dislodge something that always sticks. It could even be a new process or
a more efficient way of organizing your desk or going about your day-today tasks. Or, see how far you can make a mousetrap- or gravitypowered vehicle go.
Build something. Assemble boxed furniture or start from scratch. Make
a potato launcher. Create your own lava lamp or trebuchet. Even fun or
silly projects will help you get used to thinking about how things work,
and how they are built
Take an interest in manufacturing. Where do paper clips come from?
How about computer chips or jelly beans? Part of a mechanical
engineer's job is to design things so that they can be efficiently,
inexpensively fabricated.

Develop your creativity, too. Although a lot of mechanical engineering

is about being systematic and analytical, it is also about creative problem
solving. Try drawing, writing, juggling, playing music, listening, playing,
learning, and exploring. It will make you a better engineer and a more
well-rounded person, in general
Do not give up! There is a lot of hard work associated with getting any
engineering degree. At some point you probably will fail classes and
question your decision; just keep pushing, all good things take time and
effort. Retake classes if you have to: a four year engineering degree
takes most people about five years

What jobs can you do with a mechanical engineering

degree?

Find out what kinds of work mechanical

engineering graduates can carry out in which
engineering industries or how you could pursue a
totally different career.

Mechanical engineering graduates are sought by employers in almost all sectors of

the engineering industry. These include:

Aerospace industry researches, designs, manufactures, operates and

maintains aircraft
Automotive industry designs, manufactures, distributes and markets
motor vehicles
Chemical industry covers oil companies, chemicals manufacturers and
the businesses that support them (eg to build new plants or develop new process
technologies)
Construction industry designs and builds infrastructure, buildings and
buildings services (eg heating and ventilation)
Defence industry provides equipment, support and services for the armed
forces and national security
Electronics industry designs and manufactures components and
complete equipment for sectors from automotive to medicine and the military
Fast moving consumer goods industry manufactures products such as
household cleaning items, personal hygiene goods and convenience foods
Marine industry develops and helps operate vessels
Materials and metals industry activities include developing new
materials and manufacturing components or end products
Pharmaceuticals industry develops and manufactures drugs
Rail industry designs, constructs, manages and maintains rail system
components from trains and tracks to electrical power systems and train control
systems
Utilities industry helps supply power, water, waste management and
telecoms.

What precisely would my job as a mechanical engineering graduate be?

In many roles you will remain as a mechanical engineering specialist, applying your
skills and knowledge to those specific aspects of your employers technical
operations that call for this skill set. However, engineering careers in some areas
involve becoming more of a generalist, drawing on or developing knowledge of
other engineering disciplines and perhaps doing the same job as a fellow engineer
with a different degree background.
Defence and fast moving consumer goods are two industries that often call for
generalists.

Paul Jones, enterprise integration manager at BAE systems, explains the

situation in the defence industry. He comments: At BAE systems and at most
other defence companies engineers today mainly work at system level. A
system could be an aircraft or submarine, or one of its major components, or the
whole battle space in which it operates, including the associated communications
technologies, people, buildings and legal requirements. Defence systems are now
so integrated that engineers need to operate cross-discipline, for example using a
mixture of mechanical, electronic and electrical engineering knowledge. Most
engineering degrees now cover a range of areas, but if you come from, say, a

pure mechanical engineering background youll have to pick up how mechanical

engineering fits into the bigger picture.

Meanwhile Chris Traynor, careers adviser and former engineer and

engineering recruiter, outlines the state of play in the fast moving consumer
goods industry. He explains: Almost all the graduate roles are in one of two
areas: manufacturing/engineering or supply network operations/logistics. And for
both of these areas graduates from different disciplines would be doing similar
jobs as each other. The reason for this is that the real work is not defined in nice
separate buckets of mechanical, electrical, chemical etc, but normally a mixture
of different disciplines as a general manufacturing or logistics engineer.
Graduates will pick up skills from other disciplines as they go through their
training and career. I started as a chemical engineer and quickly learned basic
mechanical and electrical engineering principles that were needed to help me in
my work.
If youd prefer to specialise, there are numerous options.

The Rolls-Royce website outlines job roles in its part of the aerospace
industry, stating that: Mechanical technology engineers are responsible for
understanding the stress and vibration loads applied throughout the engine and
on specific components. They have a strong influence on power plant design and
work closely with the design community, materials engineers and manufacturing.
Although this area is largely analysis-based, mechanical technology engineers are
also involved in verifying and validating component models through physical
experiments and tests. This includes reviewing the physical condition of post-test
specimens.

Mechanical engineering graduates can also choose to work in the materials

and metals industry. Dr Andrew Smith, knowledge group leader at Tata Steel,
states that in this sector: Mechanical engineering graduates can be involved in
process technology and development, manufacturing or process improvement.
They could equally be involved in more customer-facing roles, eg customer
technical support (CTS) or on major CAPEX [capital expenditure] schemes,
ensuring the engineering is right. And this list is by no means exclusive.

The oil and gas industry is particularly popular with graduates. Jen Veevers,
marketing manager, UK graduate resourcing at BP, outlines: Mechanical
engineers provide the technical decision making and engineering design input
that offshore engineers and technicians require to keep the equipment on the
platforms running in a safe and reliable manner. The equipment mechanical
engineers deal with ranges from power generation gas turbine engines (jet
engines) to pipe work, valves, and pressure vessels.

Similarly in the power generation industry, Paul Clarke, asset developer at

EDF Energy Energy Sourcing & Customer Supply, explains: Mechanical
Engineers typically maintain the mechanical plant items (steam turbines, gas
turbines, pumps, valves, pipework, coal mills, fans, heat exchangers, coolers,
storage tanks, etc).

Jerry England, group asset management director at Network Rail, outlines

opportunities in the rail industry. He reveals: Mechanical engineers could be
involved in track systems, rolling stock and other rail vehicle engineering, as well
as with other mechanical systems such as overhead power lines which although
transmitting power at 25kV are largely a mechanical engineering design.

In the utilities industy, Neil Pullen, head of business planning for National
Grid's transmission construction division, comments: 'Mechanical engineers might
work with pressure systems (eg pipelines, compressed air systems in power
stations), corrosion, tribology, asset design or network design.'

Non-engineering careers for mechanical engineers

A mechanical engineering degree is a great passport to a huge variety of nonengineering graduate jobs, both within the engineering industry and outside it.
If you want a non-technical career in the engineering sector, a number of the larger
employers run graduate schemes in areas such as finance and management. You
could also consider jobs in areas such as supply chain or technical sales. If you wish,
you could start your career in an engineering job, then progress into a more
business-focused role at a later date.
Outside the engineering industry, many employers welcome mechanical
engineering graduates for their high level of numeracy and problem-solving
mentality. In particular, IT companies and technical consultancies are well worth
exploring, especially if you have some programming skills, as are patent attorneys.
Your skill set will also go down well with recruiters for finance, management and
business or management consulting graduate schemes, while teachers with
technical backgrounds are always in demand.
Youll also find niche areas of seemingly unrelated professions where your degree
background will be a big help. How about training as a solicitor or barrister, then
specialising in a technical area such as intellectual property, construction or energy,
transport and infrastructure? Or working in technical publishing or science
journalism?
Finally, remember that around 40% of graduate jobs are open to graduates from any
degree discipline. Your extra-curricular activities and transferrable skills developed
while at university could help launch your career in an entirely new direction.