The Job of a Mechanical Engineer

A mechanical engineer applies his or her knowledge of physical sciences and math to create industrial solutions. Mechanical engineers acquire knowledge of the workings of machines and their parts and learn how to analyze and design them. Their work may involve the development of sophisticated machines such as rocket engines or even simple machines such as sandwich makers. A recent survey conducted by Abbott, Langer Association Surveys found that the median annual income of mechanical engineers in the U.S. is $93,000, with the top 10% of mechanical engineers earning more than $145,941 annually.

Mechanical engineers work in different industrial sectors, including government research and academia. In fact, any industry that is dependent on machines may employ mechanical engineers. The majority of mechanical engineers are employed by manufacturing and processing plants, and their job functions vary from research and design to operations and quality control. Mechanical engineers, as do those in most other engineering fields, often turn to management, sales, or consultancy.

A number of mechanical engineers also work in principally non-engineering industries (medical, legal, and insurance) that can put their knowledge and talents to good use. In today's industry, cross-disciplinary approaches are vital to building successful careers, and mechanical engineers are increasingly involved with products and processes that previously fell outside of their interest areas. Consequently, it is not surprising to find mechanical engineers involved with environmental control or even marketing.



The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) lists 36 technical categories in which mechanical engineers are employed. These are:

• advanced energy systems
• aerospace
• applied mechanics
• bioengineering
• computers and information engineering
• design engineering
• dynamic systems and control
• environmental engineering
• electrical and electronic packaging
• fuels and combustion technologies
• fluids engineering
• fluid power systems and technology
• heat transfer
• information storage and processing
• internal combustion engines
• management
• manufacturing engineering
• materials
• materials handling engineering
• micro electromechanical systems
• noise control and acoustics
• nondestructive evaluation engineering
• nuclear engineering
• ocean offshore and arctic engineering
• petroleum
• plant engineering and maintenance
• power
• pressure vessels and piping
• process industries
• rail transportation
• safety engineering and risk analysis
• solar engineering
• solid waste processing
• technology and society
• textile engineering
• tribology

However, despite employment opportunities in such varied fields, at least three-fourths of the mechanical engineers in the United States are employed by companies that are involved with the production of primary and fabricated materials, electrical and transportation equipment, tools, and machinery.

People who aspire to mechanical engineering jobs must have at least accredited bachelor's degrees in mechanical engineering. Extra qualifications, such as diplomas or degrees in specialized fields or business administration, are always helpful. For jobs whose outcomes may affect public health, professional licenses are often prerequisites.

Mechanical engineers often start their careers working as assistants under senior engineers. They may gradually advance to senior, supervisory, and managerial levels once they have experience. Many mechanical engineers end their careers as independent consultants with their own enterprises.