Since most industries rely on mechanical systems and devices, mechanical engineers are employed in just about every industry worldwide. They're employed in manufacturing, energy and power, construction and various medical industries, to name just a few.
Duties
The duties of a mechanical engineer include:- Evaluating problems and creating mechanical devices which could solve them
- Creating new designs for mechanical devices, and preparing blueprints so the devices can be made
- Developing and subsequently testing a prototype of the device
- Analyzing the results of the tests, and modifying the device's design if necessary
- Supervising the device's manufacturing process
- Internal combustion engines, steam and gas turbines, electric generators, and other power-generating machines
- Air-conditioning, refrigeration systems, and other power-consuming machines
- Machines and robots used in manufacturing and industrial production
- Elevators, escalators, and other machines within buildings
- Mechanical tools, and tools for other kinds of engineers
- Conveyor belts, automatic transfer systems, and other material-handling devices
- Design new devices, and analyze those designs
- Simulate a machine's functions in a virtual environment, and test those functions
- Establish specifications for the device's parts
- Ensure the quality of all devices
- Direct the production and manufacturing processes
Work Environment
Mechanical engineering is the second-largest field of engineering. Mechanical engineers hold over 243, 000 jobs in a wide range of industries, such as manufacturing industries, research and development, the federal government, and engineering services.- Architectural, engineering, and related services – 21%
- Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences – 6%
- Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing – 5%
- Aerospace product and parts manufacturing – 5%
- Federal government, excluding postal service – 5%
Mechanical engineers typically do their work in offices, but they sometimes need to visit worksites to solve equipment-related issues.
How to Become a Mechanical Engineer
A bachelor's degree is required to become a mechanical engineer. Managerial positions usually require a graduate degree. All 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, require mechanical engineers to be licensed before marketing their services to the public.Education
A bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering is required to start out in the field of mechanical engineering.




