What Mechanical Engineers Do

Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices, including tools, engines, and machines.

Work Environment

Mechanical engineers generally work in offices. They may occasionally visit worksites where a problem or piece of equipment needs their personal attention. Mechanical engineers work mostly in engineering services, research and development, and manufacturing.

How to Become a Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology. All states and the District of Columbia require mechanical engineers who sell services to the public to be licensed.

Job Outlook

Employment of mechanical engineers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2014 to 2024, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Job prospects may be best for those who stay abreast of the most recent advances in technology.

Growth & Trends

This occupation supported 258,100 jobs in 2012 and 277,500 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 7.5%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 4.5% in 2022 to 269,700 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 260,399, compared with an observed value of 277,500, 6.6% higher than expected. This indicates current employment trends are much better than the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to increase by 5.7% in 2024 to 292,100 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 272,000 jobs for 2024, 6.9% lower than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are much better than the 2012 trend within this occupation.

Mechanical Engineers Employment and Labor Information 2023

Mechanical Engineers Employment Brief:

Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.

Mechanical Engineers Job Description

Here is a Job Description an employer might post for potential Mechanical Engineers.

Mechanical Engineers Responsibilities and Duties:

• Provide technical customer service.
• Calculate energy losses for buildings, using equipment such as computers, combustion analyzers, or pressure gauges.
• Recommend design modifications to eliminate machine or system malfunctions.
• Perform personnel functions, such as supervision of production workers, technicians, technologists, or other engineers.
• Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.
• Solicit new business.
• Develop or test models of alternate designs or processing methods to assess feasibility, sustainability, operating condition effects, potential new applications, or necessity of modification.
• Evaluate mechanical designs or prototypes for energy performance or environmental impact.
• Develop, coordinate, or monitor all aspects of production, including selection of manufacturing methods, fabrication, or operation of product designs.
• Estimate costs or submit bids for engineering, construction, or extraction projects.

Typical Daily Tasks of Mechanical Engineers:

• Working with Computers.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Determine operational methods. Implement design or process improvements. Select tools, equipment, or technologies for use in operations or projects.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Confer with other personnel to resolve design or operational problems. Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.
• Analyzing Data or Information: Analyze design or requirements information for mechanical equipment or systems.
• Getting Information: Investigate system, equipment, or product failures. Research industrial processes or operations. Review technical documents to plan work.
• Processing Information.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings.
• Thinking Creatively: Create models of engineering designs or methods. Design electronic or computer equipment or instrumentation. Design industrial equipment. Design industrial processing systems.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment.

Mechanical Engineers Skills and Requirements:

• Management of Material Resources Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do certain work.
• Technology Design Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
• Social Perceptiveness Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Systems Evaluation Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
• Systems Analysis Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
• Installation Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
• Persuasion Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
• Instructing Teaching others how to do something.
• PresentationsUsing a computer application to create, manipulate, edit, and show virtual slide presentations.
• Judgment and Decision Making Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Mechanical Engineers Education and Training:

Typical education for include: Bachelor's degree.

Mechanical Engineers Salary, Wages, and Salary and Job Outlook

Mechanical Engineers average pay is: $46.31 per hour according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employees who work in Scientific Research and Development Services are the highest paid making $60.67, while Machinery Manufacturing make the least at $43.24 per hour.Here are the top city/metro areas with the highest paying salaries for a Mechanical Engineers: