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
Apprenticeship announcement by the Prime Minister
Welcomed but with call for more actionable detail.
Heat pump announcements, what homeowners need to know
An 'ultimate guide to heat pumps' from a heating company.
Construction contract awards reach £7.1bn in February
Their highest level in seven months.
The journey to sustainability in heritage
Research is the key to better understanding.
Heritage approaches to adaptation, mitigation and loss.
Bridging the gap between policy, finance and installation.
Development on brownfield land
Definition, background, policy and the latest consultation.
With the Design Framework for Building Services.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Pertinent technical issues, measures and the roles involved.
ECA joins HSE campaign to support mental health
Working Minds’ five simple steps based on risk assessment.
Mental health in the construction industry
Mental health issues in brief with related articles.
Transitional arrangements, Building Control and the BSR.
For pre-October buildings with substantial progress by April.
Why quality counts in domestic ventilation systems
From products, to systems to the installation.
Empowering the Future with CIOB Academy
Lifelong learning, upscaling, and reskilling for the built environment.