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MECHANICAL
ENGINEERS
Overview
Mechanical engineers oversee the design, construction, and testing of
mechanical products and systems. Mechanical engineers design mechanical products and systems. Some
mechanical engineers design heat, water, or gas systems for factories.
Others design and test robotic products. Products and systems vary by
industry. Mechanical engineers develop designs based on how products or
systems will be used. They talk to customers to learn more about their
needs. Engineers draw their designs using drafting tools and
computer-assisted design (CAD) software. They work with clients and other
designers to fine-tune designs.
Programs
(Engineering/
Pre-Engineering Related)
Mechanical engineers test the mechanical products and systems they design.
They adjust the design and construction so the products function properly.
They may also oversee the construction and assembly of these products and
systems. Engineers continue to fine-tune the products and systems as they
are being built to improve their function. They develop a maintenance
schedule for products and systems. If there are problems with the products
or systems, mechanical engineers evaluate the problem. They tell mechanics
which repairs to make and test the fixed system.
Mechanical engineers may work in a company with many departments. They may
be responsible for all mechanical products and systems for each
department. They provide technical advice and consultation to others. They
also manage groups of people who may do the actual construction and
installation of products and systems.
Activities
The following list of occupational tasks is specific to this career.
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Design,
install, and test mechanical equipment and systems.
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Talk to
clients about their system needs.
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Draft and
draw designs, using drafting tools or computer software.
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Adjust the
design of equipment and machinery depending upon how they will be
used.
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Develop and
test new ways to use machines and equipment.
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Test and
analyze performance of current designs and equipment.
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Inspect
mechanical equipment and systems for failures or problems.
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Set
maintenance schedule for machines and equipment so that they will
operate properly.
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Manage
people who build, assemble, install, and maintain machines and
equipment.
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Provide
technical information to people who install or repair machines and
equipment.
People in this
career perform the following list of tasks, but the tasks are common to
many occupations.
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Get
information needed to do the job.
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Inspect
equipment, structures, or materials.
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Identify
objects, actions, and events.
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Monitor
processes, materials, and surroundings.
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Estimate the
characteristics of materials, products, events, or information.
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Provide
advice and technical consultation to others.
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Communicate
with supervisors, clients, or coworkers about machines and systems.
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Interpret
the meaning of technical information to others.
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Analyze and
process data or information.
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Think
creatively when designing products.
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Make
decisions and solve problems.
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Update and
use job-related information.
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Evaluate
information against standards.
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Judge the
qualities of objects and services.
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Organize,
plan, and prioritize goals and strategies in technical projects.
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Draft, lay
out, and specify technical devices, parts, and equipment.
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Interact
with computers.
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Implement
ideas, systems, or products.
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Document and
record information.
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Handle and
move objects.
Working
Conditions
In a typical work setting, people in this career:
Interpersonal
Relationships
-
Have a
medium level of social interaction. They spend some time talking to
clients or coworkers about projects.
-
Often
supervise and train other employees.
-
Are
responsible for work outcomes and results of other workers.
-
Often
persuade others to accept their designs.
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Provide an
important service to others.
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Have some
responsibility for the health and safety of others. The equipment they
design must be safe.
Physical Work
Conditions
Work
Performance
-
Must be
highly accurate and thorough in performing the job. Errors could
seriously endanger the safety of those who use their products.
-
Must be
aware of both frequently changing events and infrequent events.
Hours/Travel
Physical
Demands
People in this
career frequently:
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Sit or stand
for long periods of time.
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Use hands to
handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
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Walk around
factories to inspect systems.
It is important
for people in this career to be able to:
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See details
of objects that are less than a few feet away.
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Speak
clearly so listeners can understand.
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See
differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
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Use hands
and fingers to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
It is not as
important, but still necessary, for people in this career to be able to:
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Recognize
and understand the speech of another person.
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See details
of objects that are more than a few feet away.
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Focus on one
source of sound and ignore others.
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Hear sounds
and recognize the difference between them.
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Determine
the distance between objects.
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Determine
from which direction a sound came.
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Make quick,
precise adjustments to machine controls.
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Make fast,
simple, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
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Bend,
stretch, twist, or reach out with the body, arms, and/or legs.
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Use stomach
and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without
getting tired.
Skills
& abilities
People in this career need to:
Communicate
Reason and
Problem Solve
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Use
reasoning to discover answers to problems.
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Combine
several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
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Follow
guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
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Analyze
ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
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Identify
problems and review information. Analyze options and apply solutions.
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Understand
new information or materials by studying and working with them.
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Notice when
something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
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Think of new
ideas and creative solutions.
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Judge the
costs and benefits of a possible action.
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Develop
rules that group items in various ways.
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Identify
what must be changed to reach goals.
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Make sense
of information that seems without meaning or organization.
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Determine
how a system should work and how changes in operations will affect
outcomes.
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Remember
information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.
Use Math and
Science
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Use math
skills to solve problems.
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Choose a
mathematical method or formula to solve problems.
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Add,
subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.
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Use
scientific methods to solve problems.
Work with
Things
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Design
equipment and technology to meet user needs.
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Analyze
needs and requirements when designing products.
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Determine
the tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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Test and
inspect products or processes. Evaluate quality or performance.
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Determine
the causes of technical problems and find solutions for them.
Perceive and
Visualize
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Imagine how
something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
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Quickly and
accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.
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Identify a
pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in
distracting material.
Knowledge
People in this career need knowledge in the following areas:
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Engineering
and Technology: Knowledge of how to build machines, buildings, and
other things. Also includes knowledge of how to use computers,
machines, and tools to do work more usefully.
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Design:
Knowledge of making and using plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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Mathematics:
Knowledge of the rules and uses of numbers. Areas of knowledge include
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and statistics.
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Computers
and Electronics: Knowledge of computer hardware and software.
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Physics:
Knowledge of the features and rules of matter and energy. Areas of
knowledge include air, water, light, heat, weather, and other natural
events.
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Mechanical:
Knowledge of designing, using, and repairing machines and tools.
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English
Language: Knowledge of the meaning, spelling, and use of the English
language.
Interests
People in this career are people who tend to:
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Consider
independence important. They like to make decisions and try out ideas
on their own. They prefer jobs where they can plan their work with
little supervision.
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Consider
achievement important. They like to see the results of their work and
to use their strongest abilities. They like to get a feeling of
accomplishment from their work.
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Consider
good working conditions important. They like jobs offering steady
employment and good pay. They want employment that fits their
individual work style. They may prefer doing a variety of tasks,
working alone, or being busy all the time.
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Consider
recognition important. They like to work in jobs which have
opportunities for them to advance, be recognized for their work, and
direct and instruct others. They usually prefer jobs in which they are
looked up to by others.
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Consider
support from their employer important. They like to be treated fairly
and have supervisors who will back them up. They prefer jobs where
they are trained well.
-
Consider
relationships important. They like to work in a friendly,
non-competitive environment. They like to do things for other people.
They prefer jobs where they are not pressured to do things that go
against their sense of right and wrong.
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Have
investigative interests. They like work activities that have to do
with ideas and thinking. They like to search for facts and figure out
solutions to problems mentally.
Most students prepare for this field by earning a bachelor's degree in
mechanical engineering. Many four-year colleges and universities offer
this program of study. Or students may attend a 2-year college and
transfer credits to a 4-year college. Most students need between four and five years to
complete their studies.
At a typical four-year school, classes include math, basic science, and
introductory engineering. In the last two years, students specialize in
mechanical engineering. Some programs offer more classes that are directly
applied to industry. Other universities offer classes that focus on
mechanical theory. These programs are for people who want to pursue
graduate degrees in engineering.
Some two-year colleges have agreements with engineering programs. The
two-year college provides the beginning two years of education, and then
students are automatically accepted to the university for the last two
years. Some liberal arts schools have similar programs to prepare students
for engineering schools.
Internships are usually a part of a four-year degree program. They offer
students a chance to apply what they have learned in the classroom to a
work situation. They also allow students to build skills and network with
people in the field. Internships improve students' chances of finding
jobs.
High school classes in math and science, such as calculus, chemistry,
computer science, and physics, are helpful in preparing for college
programs.
Licensing requirements
No State of Minnesota license requirements are found for this career
Professional engineers must be registered to work in Minnesota.
Registration may be obtained by completing education and experience
requirements and then passing an examination. The Minnesota Board may also
grant registration to persons who are registered in another state or
Canada.
Applicants to practice as a professional engineer must:
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Graduate
from an approved four-year engineering program;
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Pass the
Fundamentals of Engineering Exam
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Complete at
least four years of supervised engineering work experience;
pass the Professional Engineer Exam
To obtain more information, contact:
Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape
Architecture, Geoscience, and Interior Design
85 7th St. East, Suite 160
St. Paul, MN 55101-2333
Phone : 651.296.2388
http://www.aelslagid.state.mn.us/
All states require mechanical engineers to be licensed. Licensing
requirements vary by state.
Preparation
Most
students prepare for this field by earning a bachelor's degree in
mechanical engineering. Many four-year colleges and universities offer
this program of study. Most students need between four and five years to
complete their studies.
At a typical four-year school, classes include math, basic science, and
introductory engineering. In the last two years, students specialize in
mechanical engineering. Some programs offer more classes that are directly
applied to industry. Other universities offer classes that focus on
mechanical theory. These programs are for people who want to pursue
graduate degrees in engineering.
Some two-year colleges have agreements with engineering programs. The
two-year college provides the beginning two years of education, and then
students are automatically accepted to the university for the last two
years. Some liberal arts schools have similar programs to prepare students
for engineering schools.
Internships are usually a part of a four-year degree program. They offer
students a chance to apply what they have learned in the classroom to a
work situation. They also allow students to build skills and network with
people in the field. Internships improve students' chances of finding
jobs.
High school classes in math and science, such as calculus, chemistry,
computer science, and physics, are helpful in preparing for college
programs.
Wages
In Minnesota, the median wage for mechanical engineers is $32.47 per hour,
which works out to $4,600.56 per month for a full time worker. Half of all
mechanical engineers earn between $23.08and $39.23 per hour, or between
$3,826.26 and $6,043.02 per month.
Nationally, the median wage for mechanical engineers is $5,000 per month.
Half of all mechanical engineers earn between $3,956 and $6,400 per month.
Wages vary by employer and the engineer's level of training and
responsibility.
Mechanical engineers usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include
paid vacation, sick leave, health and life insurance, and a retirement
plan.
Employment
In Minnesota, about 6,062 mechanical engineers work in this medium-sized
occupation.
Nationally, about 225,900 mechanical engineers work in this medium-sized
occupation.
Major employers:
Engineering and architectural firms
Aircraft and parts manufacturers
Outlook
In Minnesota, the employment for mechanical engineers is expected to grow
about as fast as average for all occupations through the year 2014.
Nationally, the number of jobs for mechanical engineers is expected to
grow about as fast as average through the year 2014.
As the economy grows, more machines and manufacturing will be needed to
keep up with society's needs. In addition, because of high energy costs,
manufacturers will demand more efficient machinery. Both of these factors
should contribute to the need for mechanical engineers. However, cuts in
federal government defense spending may somewhat reduce the demand for
these workers.
Advancement Opportunities
As mechanical engineers gain experience, they may advance to positions
with more responsibility and more complex tasks. They may also advance to
supervisory and managerial positions. Some mechanical engineers may
advance to sales and marketing positions. Still others may start their own
businesses.
Mechanical engineers can also advance to teaching and research positions
by getting advanced degrees.
Page
last updated in August, 2007.
Source: Minnesota
Department of Children, Families & Learning (MCIS) Minnesota
Career Information System
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