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Career Exploration

Mechanical Engineers

Also called: Design Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Process Engineer, Product Engineer

What they do:

Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.

On the job, you would:
  • Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports.
  • Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, or maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems or processes to meet requirements.
  • Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.
On the job, you'll need:

Engineering and Technology

  • product and service development
  • design

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
  • physics

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods

  • manufacture and distribution of products

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • reading work related information

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

People and Technology Systems

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
  • measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it

Math

  • choose the right type of math to solve a problem
  • add, subtract, multiply, or divide

Ideas and Logic

  • order or arrange things
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information

Verbal

  • listen and understand what people say
  • read and understand what is written

Visual Understanding

  • see hidden patterns

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Analytical Thinking
  • Attention to Detail
  • Innovation
  • Dependability
  • Cooperation
  • Integrity

Analytical or scientific software

  • Minitab
  • The MathWorks MATLAB

Instant messaging software

  • Blink

Computer aided design CAD software

  • Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
  • Autodesk Revit

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Bright.

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Median Annual Salary: $96,310

Education

Bachelor's degree is usually needed.