Mechanical Engineers

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

Industry: Architecture and Engineering

Other Job Titles for Mechanical Engineers:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, and computer-generated reports.
• Confer with engineers and other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, and provide technical information.
• Research and analyze customer design proposals, specifications, manuals, and other data to evaluate the feasibility, cost, and maintenance requirements of designs or applications.
• Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design and performance specifications.
• Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, and maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems and processes to meet requirements, applying knowledge of engineering principles.
• Investigate equipment failures and difficulties to diagnose faulty operation, and to make recommendations to maintenance crew.
• Assist drafters in developing the structural design of products using drafting tools or computer-assisted design (CAD) or drafting equipment and software.
• Provide feedback to design engineers on customer problems and needs.
• Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair to ensure that machines and equipment are installed and functioning according to specifications.
• Conduct research that tests and analyzes the feasibility, design, operation and performance of equipment, components and systems.
• Recommend design modifications to eliminate machine or system malfunctions.
• Develop and test models of alternate designs and processing methods to assess feasibility, operating condition effects, possible new applications and necessity of modification.
• Develop, coordinate, and monitor all aspects of production, including selection of manufacturing methods, fabrication, and operation of product designs.
• Estimate costs and submit bids for engineering, construction, or extraction projects, and prepare contract documents.
• Perform personnel functions such as supervision of production workers, technicians, technologists and other engineers, or design of evaluation programs.
• Solicit new business and provide technical customer service.
• Establish and coordinate the maintenance and safety procedures, service schedule, and supply of materials required to maintain machines and equipment in the prescribed condition.
• Study industrial processes to determine where and how application of equipment can be made.
• Write performance requirements for product development or engineering projects.
• Apply engineering principles and practices to emerging fields such as robotics, waste management, and biomedical engineering.
• Design test control apparatus and equipment and develop procedures for testing products.
• Maintain records of engineering department activities, including expense records and details of equipment maintenance and repairs.
• Schedule machine overhauls and the servicing of electrical, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, water, and sewage systems.
• Produce presentations of surface and mineral ownership layers by interpreting legal survey plans.
• Design and supervise the development of systems processes or equipment for control, management, or remediation of water, air, or soil quality.

Emerging Tasks

• Conduct stability analyses of ships.
• Seek new work opportunities through marketing and writing proposals.
• Estimate production costs, cost saving methods, and the effects of product design changes on expenditures for management review, action, and control.
• Keep documentation of service histories on all biomedical equipment.
• Manage team of engineers by creating schedules, tracking inventory, creating and utilizing budgets, and overseeing contract obligations and deadlines.
• Write documents describing protocols, policies, standards for use, maintenance, and repair of medical equipment.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• advise clients or customers
• advise clients regarding engineering problems
• analyze engineering design problems
• analyze engineering test data
• analyze project proposal to determine feasibility, cost, or time
• analyze scientific research data or investigative findings
• analyze technical data, designs, or preliminary specifications
• analyze test data
• bid engineering, construction or extraction projects
• calculate engineering specifications
• call on customers to solicit new business
• collect scientific or technical data
• communicate technical information
• compile numerical or statistical data
• compute production, construction, or installation specifications
• conduct performance testing
• confer with engineering, technical or manufacturing personnel
• coordinate engineering project activities
• coordinate production maintenance activities
• create mathematical or statistical diagrams or charts
• delegate authority for engineering activities
• design control systems
• design electro-mechanical equipment
• design electronic equipment
• design engineered systems
• design machines
• design manufacturing processes or methods
• design power equipment
• design tools or mechanical devices
• design transporting processes
• determine specifications
• develop mathematical simulation models
• develop or maintain databases
• develop plans for programs or projects
• develop policies, procedures, methods, or standards
• develop safety regulations
• develop tables depicting data
• diagnose mechanical problems in machinery or equipment
• direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
• direct personnel in support of engineering activities
• draw prototypes, plans, or maps to scale
• estimate cost for engineering projects
• estimate time needed for project
• estimate time or cost for installation, repair, or construction projects
• evaluate costs of engineering projects
• evaluate engineering data
• evaluate manufacturing or processing systems
• evaluate product design
• evaluate tool designs
• examine engineering documents for completeness or accuracy
• explain complex mathematical information
• follow manufacturing methods or techniques
• follow safe waste disposal procedures
• follow statistical process control procedures
• improve test devices or techniques in manufacturing, industrial or engineering setting
• inspect facilities or equipment for regulatory compliance
• lead teams in engineering projects
• oversee testing or construction of prototype
• plan production processes
• plan testing of engineering methods
• prepare contract documents
• prepare reports
• prepare technical reports or related documentation
• provide analytical assessment of engineering data
• read blueprints
• read schematics
• read technical drawings
• read vehicle manufacturer's specifications
• recognize characteristics of metals
• recommend materials for products
• recommend purchase, repair, or modification of equipment
• resolve engineering or science problems
• supervise production workers
• test equipment as part of engineering projects or processes
• understand engineering data or reports
• use biological research techniques
• use computer aided drafting or design software for design, drafting, modeling, or other engineering tasks
• use computer graphics design software
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use drafting or mechanical drawing techniques
• use government regulations
• use intuitive judgment for engineering analyses
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use library or online Internet research techniques
• use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
• use pollution control techniques
• use project management techniques
• use quality assurance techniques
• use quantitative research methods
• use relational database software
• use research methodology procedures within manufacturing or commerce
• use robotics systems technology
• use scientific research methodology
• use spreadsheet software
• use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
• use technical regulations for engineering problems
• use total quality management practices
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• work as a team member
• write business project or bid proposals
• write product performance requirements
• use total quality management practices
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• work as a team member
• write business project or bid proposals
• write product performance requirements

Overall Experience
A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education
Most of these occupations require a four - year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Examples
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include accountants, human resource managers, computer programmers, teachers, chemists, and police detectives.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$34.76
• Average annual wage (2007) - $72,300.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 4.15%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 9,372
• Employment (2006): 225,797

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