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Mechanical Engineers Occupation Detailed Description

Mechanical Engineers career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Mechanical Engineers

The main tasks and work activities of Mechanical Engineers are to review technical documents to plan work, confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans, confer with other personnel to resolve design or operational problems, analyze design or requirements information for mechanical equipment or systems. In general, for the Mechanical Engineers, critical Thinking, science, mathematics, active Listening and other 17 skills are required.
Mechanical Engineers Job Description
EducationMost of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related ExperienceA considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
ExampleMany of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Mechanical Engineers jobs.
Less than a High School Diploma
0.00%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
0.00%
Post-Secondary Certificate
0.00%
Some College Courses
0.00%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
0.00%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
100.00%

Tasks and Work Activities of Mechanical Engineers

  • Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports.
  • Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.
  • Research and analyze customer design proposals, specifications, manuals, or other data to evaluate the feasibility, cost, or maintenance requirements of designs or applications.
  • Provide feedback to design engineers on customer problems or needs.
  • Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, or repair to ensure that machines or equipment are installed and functioning according to specifications.
  • Conduct research that tests or analyzes the feasibility, design, operation, or performance of equipment, components, or systems.
  • Recommend design modifications to eliminate machine or system malfunctions.
  • Develop, coordinate, or monitor all aspects of production, including selection of manufacturing methods, fabrication, or operation of product designs.
  • Establish or coordinate the maintenance or safety procedures, service schedule, or supply of materials required to maintain machines or equipment in the prescribed condition.
  • Write performance requirements for product development or engineering projects.
  • Apply engineering principles or practices to emerging fields, such as robotics, waste management, or biomedical engineering.
  • Design test control apparatus or equipment or develop procedures for testing products.
  • Calculate energy losses for buildings, using equipment such as computers, combustion analyzers, or pressure gauges.
  • Design integrated mechanical or alternative systems, such as mechanical cooling systems with natural ventilation systems, to improve energy efficiency.
  • Direct the installation, operation, maintenance, or repair of renewable energy equipment, such as heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) or water systems.
  • Evaluate mechanical designs or prototypes for energy performance or environmental impact.
  • Recommend the use of utility or energy services that minimize carbon footprints.
  • Select or install combined heat units, power units, cogeneration equipment, or trigeneration equipment that reduces energy use or pollution.
  • Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, or maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems or processes to meet requirements.
  • Investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and recommend remedial actions.
  • Interacting With ComputersUsing computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Analyzing Data or InformationIdentifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Processing InformationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Thinking CreativelyDeveloping, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentProviding documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
  • Review technical documents to plan work.
  • Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.
  • Confer with other personnel to resolve design or operational problems.
  • Analyze design or requirements information for mechanical equipment or systems.
  • Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.
  • Direct equipment maintenance or repair activities.
  • Direct installation activities.
  • Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
  • Direct industrial production activities.
  • Coordinate safety or regulatory compliance activities.
  • Determine operational methods.
  • Document technical design details.
  • Identify new applications for existing technologies.
  • Design electronic or computer equipment or instrumentation.
  • Prepare technical reports for internal use.
  • Update technical knowledge.
  • Conduct validation tests of equipment or processes.
  • Provide technical guidance to other personnel.
  • Research energy production, use, or conservation.
  • Design energy-efficient vehicles or vehicle components.

Skills and Abilities for Mechanical Engineers

  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  • MathematicsUsing mathematics to solve problems.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Operations AnalysisAnalyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Systems EvaluationIdentifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
  • Systems AnalysisDetermining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • Technology DesignGenerating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Learning StrategiesSelecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • TroubleshootingDetermining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Mathematical ReasoningThe ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Number FacilityThe ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Fluency of IdeasThe ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • OriginalityThe ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
  • Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
  • Accelerometerse.g. Accelerometers
  • Acoustic sensorse.g. Acoustic emission AE sensors
  • Air compressorse.g. Air compressors
  • Semiconductor process systemse.g. Aligners
  • Voltage comparator integrated circuitse.g. Analog to digital converters
  • Semiconductor process systemse.g. Anodic wafer bonding systems
  • Grinding or polishing machinese.g. Chemical-mechanical polishing equipment
  • Medical computed tomography CT or CAT complete stationary unit installatione.g. Computed tomography CT systems
  • Semiconductor process systemse.g. Contact lithography equipment
  • High voltage cable detectione.g. Contact testers
  • Coordinate measuring machines CMMe.g. Coordinate measuring machines CMM
  • Infrared spectrometerse.g. Cryogenic apparatus
  • Semiconductor process systemse.g. Deep reactive ion etchers DRIE
  • Flowmeterse.g. Digital particle image velocimeters
  • Voltage comparator integrated circuitse.g. Digital to analog converters
  • Strain gaugese.g. Dynamic strain indicators
  • Dynamometerse.g. Dynamometers
  • Thickness measuring devicese.g. Ellipsometers
  • Refrigerated and heated reach in environmental or growth chamberse.g. Environmental testing chambers
  • Semiconductor process systemse.g. Evaporation systems
  • Engineering and TechnologyKnowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • DesignKnowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • PhysicsKnowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • TransportationKnowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • ChemistryKnowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
  • Administration and ManagementKnowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • Education and TrainingKnowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • ClericalKnowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.