Mechanical Engineer

Also known as:

Engineer, Mechanical

Introduction

Mechanical engineers apply their knowledge of mechanics, hydraulics, thermodynamics and materials to design and make all types of machines and their components. They are involved in many industries, including manufacturing, process industries, aerospace, defence, biomedical engineering, oil and gas, food processing and IT.

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Work Activities

Mechanical engineers research, design and develop all kinds of machinery.

They may specialise in design, for example, using computer-aided design (CAD) technology to design anything from a car to a toaster. Mechanical engineers must take into account safety, efficiency, environmental impact - and also the way a product looks.

Many mechanical engineers work on continuous production, where they may be responsible for designing, developing and managing computer-aided manufacture (CAM) technology and robots. For example, in industries that produce food, pharmaceuticals, paints and detergents, engineers are responsible for mechanical processes such as filling, mixing, packaging and labelling equipment.

Mechanical engineers may also install, operate and maintain the systems used to manage waste. In manufacturing industries, they may organise the installation of new equipment and plan schedules for regular servicing and overhauling of all the machinery and equipment involved.

In agriculture and food processing, mechanical engineers design harvesting machinery, deep freezes, canning plant and industrial ovens. Mechanical engineers use their knowledge and experience to tackle global problems, for example, developing ploughing equipment that won't damage fragile soils and improving roads, railways and bridges in developing countries.

In the offshore oil and gas industries, mechanical engineers design, construct and operate offshore platforms. These are essentially villages supported above the sea, complete with a power supply, processing and drilling equipment, staff accommodation and communication systems. For many operations, high pressure design is fundamental, and mechanical engineers have to find ways to transfer high temperature, highly corrosive and flammable fluids.

Mechanical engineering plays a vital role in transport. For example, mechanical engineers research ways to make cars safer and more fuel efficient, and use CAD techniques to design and test jet engines. They help to make safer, quieter vehicles that produce less air pollution.

Mechanical engineers also apply engineering principles to medical science, creating medical equipment like replacement limbs and joints and scanners.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You must enjoy solving problems through science. You must therefore be able to develop strong technical skills and knowledge. Also, you must be willing to learn and develop new knowledge, to keep up to date with changes in technology.

Mechanical engineers need good communication skills. You may be working in a team with other specialists, for example, geologists or medical professionals. The ability to encourage other people's ideas is important and you must also be flexible and able to compromise. You will need strong communication skills to write reports and to explain complex engineering information to people from non-technical backgrounds.

Mechanical engineers need excellent management skills to organise resources like people, money and equipment.

Engineers often work to deadlines, so you must be able to stay calm and work well under pressure. Willingness to take on responsibility, and to lead and motivate others is essential.

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Pay and Opportunities

Salaries for mechanical engineers vary, depending on employer, role and responsibilities.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Mechanical engineers earn in the range of £23,000 - £28,500 a year, rising to £36,500 - £45,000. Higher earners can make around £50,000 a year, and higher salaries are possible.

Most mechanical engineers work 35-40 hours, Monday to Friday. However, early starts, late finishes and some weekend work may be required.

Employers are firms across a wide range of industries including manufacturing and processing, medical engineering, aerospace, automotive engineering, nuclear power and electricity generation.

Some mechanical engineers work independently as consultants.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course (eg, Access to Engineering) could be the way in.

These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.

There are other pathways through which adults can register as Chartered or Incorporated Engineers, such as career progression from other levels of registration and routes based on the achievement of occupational standards.

Funding is available from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).

• 12% of people in occupations such as mechanical engineer are self-employed.
• 7% work part-time.
• 12% have flexible hours.
• 4% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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New Developments

Some people working in this occupation may be involved in the green jobs sector in areas such as renewable energy or waste management.