Mechanical

Engineering
Mark Oakley
English 131

Mechanical Engineering Jobs

Research, design, develop, build, and test mechanical and
thermal sensors and devices, including tools, engines, and
machines.
Can lead to a career in just about any industry including:
Machinery manufacturing
Robotics
Aerospace (Rocket science)
Engineering services
Alternative energy
Heating and cooling systems

General job requirements

Generally need a bachelors degree in mechanical
engineering or mechanical engineering technology.
Strong background with computer-aided design software
(CAD)
Highly skilled in math and problem solving
Internships are often required
Those who sell services to the public must have an
engineering license
Recommended to obtain a master in a field specific
focus
Obtaining field specific certification are option but

Entry level salary for mechanical

engineer

Salary:

$49,878 - $80,992

Average:
$63,991 per year
$30.76 per hour

Median salary for mechanical

engineer

Salary:

$53,640 - $128,430

Average:
$83,590 per year
$40.19 per hour

Job Outlook, 2014-24

No on the job training
Number of Jobs: 277,500 in 2014
Projection of jobs until 2024: 5%
Projected employment change: 14,600
Growth is around the same as average growth of all
occupations

Skill and important qualities

A creative mind enables the design or ability to fix
complex machinery
Social skills are necessary to analyze input from
members of the team
Strong mathematics are necessary for analysis and
designing
Critical thinking and complex problem solving help lead
to efficient designing
Active learning due to technology continuously
advancing
Time management and planning are necessary to meat

Typical work environment

Most work in office positions
Must visit job sites when there is an issue
that needs direct attention
Work in teams with other engineers and
professionals
Full time, the Bureau of Labor Statistics
states that around 1/3 worked over 40 hours
a week in 2014

Design
Time is often spent using CAD
software including 2D and 3D
drawing software
Researched ideas are drawn in a
presentable form for manufacturing
Drawing are also used to convey
products or management and
costumers

Working
out
issues
on
jobsites
When problems with the
designs arise it is typical for the
engineer to go to the jobsite
Since it is their design they
need to go over blueprints with
the mechanics to work out the
problem
They can also determine the
problem when they see it in
person, so they can better
redesign the part

Hard work and satisfaction

There is a high demand of complicated work
Trouble finishing complicated tasks can cause a need to
work long hours to meet deadlines.
It is very satisfying when you are responsible for fixing
major problems that no one else could figure out
Very fun and enjoyable to create and design new
products

References
Mechanical Engineers: Career, Salary and Education
Information. (2016). Retrieved December, 2016, from
https://collegegrad.com/careers/mechanical-engineers
4
Occupation Outlook Handbook. (12/17/2015). United
States Department of Labor. Retrieved December, 2016,
from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-andengineering/mechanical-engineers.htm#tab-5.