MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

1. Definition
Mechanical engineering is a diverse subject that derives its breadth from the need to
design and manufacture everything from small individual parts and devices (e.g.,
microscale sensors and inkjet printer nozzles) to large systems (e.g., spacecraft and
machine tools). The role of a mechanical engineer is to take a product from an idea to
the marketplace. In order to accomplish this, a broad range of skills are needed.

2. Knowlegde required
The mechanical engineer needs to acquire particular skills and knowledge. He/she
needs to understand the forces and the thermal environment that a product, its parts,
or its subsystems will encounter; to design them for functionality, aesthetics, and the
ability to withstand the forces and the thermal environment they will be subjected to;
and to determine the best way to manufacture them and ensure they will operate
without failure. Perhaps the one skill that is the mechanical engineers exclusive
domain is the ability to analyze and design objects and systems with motion.

Since these skills

are required for
virtually everything that is made, mechanical engineering is perhaps the broadest and
most diverse of engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers play a central role in
such industries as automotive (from the car chassis to its every subsystemengine,
transmission, sensors); aerospace (airplanes, aircraft engines, control systems for
airplanes and spacecraft); biotechnology (implants, prosthetic devices, fluidic systems
for pharmaceutical industries); computers and electronics (disk drives, printers, cooling
systems, semiconductor tools); microelectromechanical systems, or MEMS (sensors,
actuators, micropower generation); energy conversion (gas turbines, wind turbines,
solar energy, fuel cells); environmental control (HVAC, air-conditioning, refrigeration,
compressors); automation (robots, data and image acquisition, recognition, control);
manufacturing (machining, machine tools, prototyping, microfabrication).

To put it simply, mechanical engineering deals with anything that moves, including the
human body, a very complex machine. Mechanical engineers learn about materials,
solid and fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, control, instrumentation,
design, and manufacturing to understand mechanical systems.

3. Future of the career

The breadth of the mechanical engineering discipline allows students a variety of
career options beyond some of the industries listed above.
Regardless of the particular path they envision for themselves after they graduate, their
education will have provided them with the creative thinking that allows them to design
an exciting product or system, the analytical tools to achieve their design goals, the
ability to overcome all constraints, and the teamwork needed to design, market, and
produce a system. These valuable skills could also launch a career in medicine, law,
consulting, management, banking, finance, and so on.
For those interested in applied scientific and mathematical aspects of the discipline,
graduate study in mechanical engineering can lead to a career of research and
teaching.

Work Environment for Mechanical

Engineers
The industries that employed the most mechanical engineers were as follows:
Engineering services

19%

Machinery manufacturing

15%

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

7%

Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences

6%

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing

6%

Mechanical engineers generally work in offices. They may occasionally visit worksites
where a problem or piece of equipment needs their personal attention. In most settings,
they work with other engineers, engineering technicians, and other professionals as part of
a team.

How to Become a Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical engineers typically need a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering or
mechanical engineering technology. Mechanical engineers who sell services publicly must
be licensed to do this.

Mechanical Engineer Education

Mechanical engineers typically need a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering or
mechanical engineering technology. Mechanical engineering programs usually include
courses in mathematics and life and physical sciences, as well as engineering and design
courses. Mechanical engineering technology programs focus less on theory and more on
the practical application of engineering principles. They may emphasize internships and coops to prepare students for work in industry.
Some colleges and universities offer 5-year programs that allow students to obtain both a
bachelors and a masters degree. Some 5-year or even 6-year cooperative plans combine
classroom study with practical work, enabling students to gain valuable experience and
earn money to finance part of their education.

Important Qualities of Mechanical Engineers

Creativity. Mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and
machinery. A creative mind is essential for this kind of work.
Listening skills. Mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as
architects and computer scientists. They must listen to and analyze different approaches
made by other experts to complete the task at hand.
Math skills. Mechanical engineers use the principles of calculus, statistics, and other
advanced subjects in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work.
Mechanical skills. Mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts
and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems.
Problem-solving skills. Mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take
scientific discoveries and use them to design and build useful products.

Advancement for Mechanical Engineers

A Ph.D. is essential for engineering faculty positions in higher education, as well as for
some research and development programs. Mechanical engineers may earn graduate
degrees in engineering or business administration to learn new technology, broaden their
education, and enhance their project management skills. Mechanical engineers may
become administrators or managers after obtaining the requisite experience.

Job Outlook for Mechanical Engineers

Employment of mechanical engineers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2014 to 2024,
about as fast as the average for all occupations. Mechanical engineers can work in many
industries and on many types of projects. As a result, their growth rate will differ by the
industries that employ them. Job prospects may be best for those who stay informed
regarding the most recent advances in technology.
Mechanical engineers are projected to experience much faster than growth in engineering
services as companies continue to contract work from these firms. Mechanical engineers
will also remain involved in various manufacturing industries, particularly transportation
equipment. They will be needed to design the next generations of vehicles and vehicle
systems, such as hybrid-electric cars and clean diesel automobiles.
Mechanical engineers often work on the newest industrial pursuits. The fields of alternative
energies, remanufacturing, and nanotechnology may offer new opportunities for
occupational growth. Remanufacturingrebuilding goods for a new use after they have
worn out or become nonfunctionalholds promise because it reduces the cost of waste
disposal.

Mechanical Engineers Job Prospects

Prospects for mechanical engineers overall are expected to be good. They will be best for
those with training in the latest software tools, particularly for computational design and
simulation. Such tools allow engineers and designers to take a project from the conceptual
phase directly to a finished product, eliminating the need for prototypes.

Careers Related to Mechanical Engineers

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Architectural and engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in
architectural and engineering companies.

Materials Engineers
Materials engineers develop, process, and test materials used to create a wide range of
products, from computer chips and aircraft wings to golf clubs and biomedical devices.
They study the properties and structures of metals, ceramics, plastics, composites,
nanomaterials (extremely small substances), and other substances to create new materials
that meet certain mechanical, electrical, and chemical requirements.
materialsfor example, in equipment used in medical diagnosis and treatment.

Petroleum Engineers
Petroleum engineers design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits
below the Earths surface. Petroleum engineers also find new ways to extract oil and gas
from older wells.