Mechanical Engineer Job Description | Duties & Responsibilities

Advertisment

Being a mechanical engineer is just icing, while having full knowledge of your job description, duties, and responsibilities are the main cake.

A mechanical engineer must provide efficient solutions to developing processes and products.

Advertisment

This ranges from small component designs to huge plants, machinery, or vehicles. 

You are also responsible for working on all stages of a product, from research and development to design and manufacture, through to installation and final commissioning.

Advertisment

The fact is that most industries rely on one form of a mechanical system or another, and mechanical engineering is thought to be one of the most diverse of all engineering disciplines. 

Due to this, there are employment opportunities across several sectors.

But being a certified mechanical engineer alone does not guarantee you will eventually get a job when you apply.

Advertisement

You need to present yourself as one who is fit for the job.

And one way to do that is by understanding the job description of a mechanical engineer.

This is important because understanding your role in a business before being hired sends a satisfactory message to the hiring team.

So, if you want to stand out as the best candidate to fill in one of these many opportunities in this industry, then read this job description guide for mechanical engineers.

Read More: Account Manager Job Description | Duties & Responsibilities

Who is a Mechanical Engineer

what-is-the-job-description-duties-and-responsibilities-of-a-mechanical-engineer-with-salary

A mechanical engineer designs develops, builds, and tests mechanical devices.

Mechanical engineering is one of the oldest and most diverse forms of engineering.

It is a branch of engineering that combines engineering physics and mathematics principles with materials science to design, analyze, manufacture, and maintain mechanical systems.

As you will find out in this article, mechanical engineers are designers and producers.

As a mechanical engineer, you are responsible for designing power-producing machines, such as electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines.

In addition, you must design power-using machines, such as refrigeration and air-conditioning systems.

All of these and more describe who a mechanical engineer is.

Read More: Director of Operations Job Description | Duties & Responsibilities

Read Also;

What are the Duties and Responsibilities of a Mechanical Engineer?

Mechanical engineers spend time producing specifications for designing, developing, manufacturing, and installing new or modified mechanical components or systems every day of the week.

They may also analyze mechanical and thermal devices daily, troubleshoot problems, determine solutions, and complete repairs. 

They also develop and test technical and mechanical prototypes of new designs and devices.

All these they do to ensure that they produce new mechanical prototypes, designs, and devices that will ease human activities.

What do Mechanical Engineers do daily?

The following are mechanical engineers’ core duties and responsibilities, as you may find in their job description.

1. Mechanical Engineers Research and Develop Products

Mechanical engineers produce a lot of different products for different sectors of the economy.

For instance, they produce combustion engines for the auto industry and mechanical hearts for the medical industry.

2. They help to Improve Production Processes 

It is part of the duties and responsibilities of a mechanical engineer to improve production processes, such as those in large oil refineries or services within buildings.

In this case, they produce drilling and piping equipment for oil refineries, lifts, and other building components.

3. A Mechanical Engineer helps to Improve Safety and Reliability

Mechanical engineers design and implement cost-effective equipment modifications to improve safety and reliability.

Read More: Civil Engineer Job Description | Duties and Responsibilities

4. They Develop and use new materials and technologies

One of the duties of mechanical engineers is to develop project specifications, new materials, and new technologies.

They achieve this by collaborating with colleagues, often including those from other engineering disciplines.

5. Mechanical Engineers must address Complex Mechanical Problems

Mechanical engineers discuss and solve complex problems with manufacturing departments, sub-contractors, suppliers, and customers.

They achieve this by developing, testing, and evaluating different theoretical designs.

Other Duties and Responsibilities of a Mechanical Engineer you can find in the Job Description

  • Manage people, projects, and resources – this will depend on your role
  • make sure a product can be made reliably and will perform consistently in specified operating environments
  • manage projects using engineering principles and techniques
  • plan and design new production processes
  • produce details of specifications and outline designs
  • recommend modifications following prototype test results
  • Use research, analytical, conceptual, and planning skills, particularly those in mathematical modeling and computer-aided design
  • Consider the implications of issues such as cost, safety, and time constraints
  • Work with other professionals within and outside the engineering sector
  • monitor and commission plant and systems.

Read More: Business Analyst Job Description | Duties & Responsibilities

Types of Mechanical Engineers and their Duties and Responsibilities

There are different types of mechanical engineers, and in the same way, their job description varies.

Here are some examples of mechanical engineers as well as their duties and responsibilities;

1. Automotive Research Engineers

This type of engineer tries to improve the performance of cars by working to improve traditional features of cars such as suspension and work on aerodynamics and new possible fuels. 

Generally, automotive research engineers focus on developing passenger cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, or off-road vehicles. 

They also design new products, modify existing ones, troubleshoot, and solve engineering problems.

2. Heating and Cooling Systems Engineers

Heating and Cooling Systems Engineers create and maintain environmental systems that help keep temperatures and humidity within certain limits where necessary.

They develop such systems for homes, airplanes, trains, cars, schools, and computer rooms.

In addition, they calculate energy losses for buildings using equipment such as computers, combustion analyzers, or pressure gauges.

3. Robotics Engineers

A robotics engineer is a behind-the-scenes designer responsible for creating robots and robotic systems that can perform duties that humans can or prefer not to complete.

These engineers plan how robots will use sensors for detecting things based on light or smell, and they design how these sensors will fit into the designs of the robots.

Through their creations, robotics engineer helps to make jobs safer, easier, and more efficient, particularly in the manufacturing industry.

Read More: Architect Job Description | Duties and Responsibilities

4. Materials Engineers

Materials engineers attempt to solve problems in various engineering fields, such as mechanical, chemical, electrical, civil, nuclear, and aerospace. 

They do this by developing, processing, and testing materials to create new materials that meet specific mechanical, electrical, and chemical requirements.

Materials engineers study the chemical properties, structures, and mechanical uses of plastics, metals, nanomaterials (tiny substances), ceramics, and composites according to the place of usage.

What are the Education Qualifications and Requirements for a Mechanical Engineer?

To become a mechanical engineer, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology. 

Mechanical engineering programs usually include mathematics, life and physical sciences, and engineering and design courses. 

On the other hand, mechanical engineering technology programs focus less on theory and more on the practical application of engineering principles. 

They may emphasize internships and co-ops to prepare students for work in the industry.

Some colleges and universities offer 5-year programs that allow students to obtain both a bachelor’s and a master’s 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.

You give yourself a unique edge by gaining a license to operate as a professional engineer.

And to do so, you need to enroll in an accredited degree program that will grant you such certification.

Most employers prefer to hire students from an accredited program, therefore, a more notable reason to enroll.

What Special Skills do you Require as a Mechanical Engineer?

Besides the educational qualification and certification from different programs, a mechanical engineer still requires some skills to accomplish his duties and responsibilities optimally.

Some of such skills a mechanical engineer requires include;

  • Effective technical skills
  • The ability to work under pressure
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Creativity
  • Strong knowledge of CAD/CAM software and drafting procedures
  • Excellent prioritization and project development skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Verbal and written communication skills
  • Commercial awareness
  • Teamworking skills.

Read More: Personal Assistant Job Description | Duties & Responsibilities

What kind of Companies Employ Mechanical Engineers?

Regarding employment, mechanical engineers can work in a vast array of industries.

Mechanical engineering usually comes to play in producing almost all the products and services we see around us.

Some examples of employers of mechanical engineers include:

  • aerospace and automotive industries
  • the armed forces and the Ministry of Defence
  • construction and building services
  • energy utilities, including nuclear
  • engineering consultancies
  • government agencies
  • manufacturing industries
  • medical engineering
  • oil and gas industries, including petrochemical industries
  • process industries, including pharmaceuticals, food, and cosmetics
  • the public sector, including the Civil Service, local authorities, hospitals, and educational institutions
  • research establishments, both academic and commercial
  • sports engineering
  • transport, including road and railways.

How much does a Mechanical Engineer Earn per year?

The salaries of mechanical engineers vary from company to company, and some sectors attract higher wages according to demand.

However, here is a breakdown of the salary of mechanical engineers about their level of experience.

Starting salaries for mechanical engineers and those on graduate training schemes range from £20,000 to £28,000.

With experience, this can increase to between £25,000 and £35,000. At a mid-level for lead or principal engineers, salaries are around £35,000 to £50,000.

When a senior level is reached, such as chief engineer, salaries of £45,000 to £60,000+ can be achieved.

Please note that these salary figures are intended as a guide only.

Read More: Nutritionist Job description | Duties & Responsibilities

Summary of Mechanical Engineer Job Description Guide

Mechanical engineers play an essential in providing efficient solutions to the development of processes and products.

These may range from small component designs to huge plants, machinery, or vehicles. 

Whatever the case, a mechanical engineer that will last on the job fully grasps the content of this job description.

Understanding your duties and responsibilities as a mechanical engineer is essential to perform at your best and keeping this nice job.

See other Job Descriptions

References:

Our Recommendation

<!–- /stk-start:posts/template –-><!–- /stk-end:post/template –->
Advertisment
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like