Mechanical engineer
Mechanical engineers develop processes and products ranging from small mechanical components to large plant, machinery and vehicles. They are involved in all stages of the project life cycle from design through to testing and final manufacture.
Mechanical engineers may be employed by a variety of sectors including:
- Transportation organisations including road and rail.
- Aerospace and automotive industries.
- Armed forces.
- Oil and gas, including petrochemical industries.
- Government agencies.
- Manufacturing and industrial producers.
- Construction industry.
- Engineering and consultancy firms.
- Medical engineering.
- Research establishments.
- Sports engineering.
Mechanical engineers work on a variety of projects from research and development into products, to improving industrial production systems, and designing services in buildings.
The typical activities of mechanical engineers might include:
- Designing and implementing equipment to help reduce costs, and improve reliability, safety and production.
- Developing project specifications.
- Solving problems with manufacturing departments, sub-contractors, suppliers and employers.
- Developing, testing and evaluating designs.
- Ensuring products can be produced consistently.
- Managing projects using engineering principles and techniques.
- Planning and designing new production processes.
- Monitoring and commissioning plant and systems.
- Developing designs.
- Recommending modifications following testing.
- Working in multi-disciplinary project teams.
Mechanical engineers require technical expertise and often, project management skills and commercial awareness.
Generally a degree is required in an engineering discipline such as:
- Mechanical engineering.
- Aeronautical engineering.
- Agricultural engineering.
- Engineering science.
- Computer-aided engineering.
- Manufacturing engineering.
- Nuclear engineering.
A relevant professional body will support career progression, such as the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) or the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. In order to become a chartered engineer (CEng), postgraduate qualifications are often required. It is possible to become an incorporated engineer (IEng) with a degree level qualification.
To see some of the modules studied as part of an engineering degree course, see Construction engineering management course essentials.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Appointing consultants.
- Building services engineer.
- CIBSE.
- Civil engineer.
- Consultant team.
- Designers.
- Electrical engineer.
- Engineer.
- Engineering Council.
- Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
- Key qualities of springs.
- Mechanical and electrical.
- Professor John Perkins’ Review of Engineering Skills. 2013
- Project engineer.
- Resident engineer.
- Structural engineer.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
UK Construction Week, London is here !
Debuting major international pavilions and much more.
Getting the most out of heat pumps and heating
How heat pumps work and how they work best.
Plumbing and heating for successful retrofit and renovation
Low temperature underfloor systems and heat pumps.
Cost-of-living crisis and home improvement plans
Starting on the right footing and top tips for projects.
Delays on construction projects
Types, mitigation and the acceleration of works.
From Chaucer to Fawlty Towers.
Electrotechnical excellence, now open for entries.
Net zero electricity grids BSRIA guide NZG 5/2024
Outlining the changes needed to transition to net zero.
CIOB Global Student Challenge 2024
Universitas Indonesia wins for second year running.
New project and cultural district described in detail.
The nature of EPCs, crticism and inaccuracies.
History, issues and redesign.
From waste recycling to energy performance the hierchy.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
UK gov apprenticeship funding from April 2024
Brief summary the policy paper updated in March.