Mechanical Engineer

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Description

Mechanical engineering is a broad field of engineering that involves converting scientific concepts into real-world applications. Mechanical engineers apply the principles of engineering, physics and materials science to design, develop, and build mechanical devices, often related to the transfer and control of power in dynamic systems, including systems involving sound and vibration. They also perform duties related to the evaluation, installation, operation and maintenance of mechanical systems. Mechanical engineers may be employed in consulting, research and development, manufacturing, transportation, processing, and general-purpose machinery.

Education Requirements

Estimated Salary

  • Bachelor’s degree in relevant area of engineering
  • Graduate degree in science, engineering, or math required for advancement (PhD necessary for independent research and academic positions)
    • Some colleges and universities offer 5-year programs that allow students to obtain both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree
    • Some colleges and universities offer cooperative programs in which students gain practical experience while completing their education.
  • Engineers may seek a Professional Engineering (P.E.) license by a state or the federal government

For salary information, please visit the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics

Tasks and Duties

A mechanical engineer may have a variety of responsibilities depending on the specific nature of their job. These could include:

  • Plan, design, and/or develop tools, engines, machines and other mechanical devices and processes that involve mechanical systems
  • Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of mechanical systems
  • Evaluate the installation and maintenance of mechanical systems

Knowledge and Skills

Basic skills may include:

  • Mechanical aptitude
    • Ability to read, understand, and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, and/or computer-generated reports
    • Knowledge of and ability to use engineering tools, engines, and machines
  • Research and development
    • Analyze problems to see how a mechanical device might help solve the problem
    • Develop procedures for testing products
    • Design or redesign mechanical devices; develop prototypes
    • Data collection, analysis, and modeling (of mechanical products)
      • Tests and analyze the feasibility, operation, and performance of equipment
      • Investigate and evaluate equipment for potential failures; make recommendations for maintenance, modification, and/or repair
    • Establish and coordinate safety procedures
  • Computer skills
    • Computer design/drafting equipment and software (e.g. computer-aided design [CAD] and computer-aided manufacturing [CAM])
    • Computer simulations
    • Database software
  • Interpersonal skills
    • Ability to cooperate and collaborate with others – mechanical engineers typically coordinate and integrate their work within teams of managers, sales people, engineers and technicians working on common projects
    • Perform personnel functions, such as supervision of production workers, technicians, technologists and other engineers

May need knowledge in:

  • Applied Engineering and Design
  • Applied Mathematics and Statistics
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Programming
  • Data Analysis
  • Instrumentation
  • Materials Science
  • Mechanics
  • Physical Sciences (including physics and chemistry)
  • Product Design
  • Statics and Dynamics
  • Thermodynamics
  • Acoustics and Vibration

Basic skills may also include:

  • Research and analytical skills
    • Field observation and sampling
    • Willingness to work long hours in a laboratory or in the field
    • Some positions may require specialized laboratory skills.
    • Shipboard experience may be useful
  • Written and oral communication skills
    • Preparation of technical reports and presentations
    • Authoring research articles
    • Drafting grant proposals
  • Interpersonal skills
    • Public interactions and public speaking (ability to explain things to diverse audiences)

Connections to Underwater Acoustics

Acoustical engineering is a sub-discipline of mechanical engineering and involves the study of sound and vibration. Engineers in this field work to reduce noise and vibration in different mechanical systems and are often involved with the evolution and improvement of acoustical techniques and apparatus. Acoustical engineers are familiar with topics such as sound transmission, interference, absorption, and reflection, and use this information to layout spaces and design devices that will function as intended. This study of acoustics can range from designing a more efficient hearing aid, or recording system, to enhancing the sound quality of an orchestra hall, to quieting the underwater sounds produced by ships.. Engineering acoustics also includes instrumentation for medical diagnosis, communications, and seismic surveying and sonar.

Example of someone in this career

Dr. Preston Wilson

Dr. Wilson is an Associate Professor in the Acoustics and Dynamic Systems & Control programs of the Mechanical Engineering Department of the University of Texas, holds the Flour Centennial Teaching Fellowship in Engineering and is jointly appointed as an Associate Research Professor at UT’s Applied Research Laboratories. Wilson obtained the PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering from Boston University in 2001, and the MS and BS degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, in 1994 and 1990, respectively. He joined UT’s Cockrell School of Engineering faculty in 2003 after serving as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Boston University, where he studied sound propagation and scattering in bubbly liquids, and the acoustics of water-saturated marine sediments. Previous experience also includes 3 years as a research engineer at Applied Research Laboratories, The University of Texas, 1994-1997, where he studied the acoustics of marine mammal sonar, developed a seismoacoustic mine detection sonar, seismoacoustic vehicle detection sensors and the Combustive Sound Source (a safe and inexpensive alternative to explosive sound sources for use in ocean surveys and seismic prospecting). Dr. Wilson’s current research interests are ocean acoustics, physical acoustics and engineering acoustics, with concentrations on sound propagation and scattering in the ocean and in multiphase media, animal bioacoustics, novel acoustic materials and transduction. Wilson also works in the area of underwater anthropogenic noise abatement using large encapsulated bubbles, and is studying the use of acoustics and sonar technology in the fire-fighting environment. Another area of interest is vibration control, focusing on the use of nonlinear systems such as buckled beams and other negative-stiffness-bearing structures.

Media

A Homemade Edison Tinfoil Phonograph designed by Prof. Wilson and his students:

Related Careers

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  • Electrical Engineer
  • Environmental Engineer
  • Mathematician
  • Ocean Engineer
  • Physicist
  • Petroleum Engineer
  • ROV Pilot/Technician
  • Software Engineer
  • Sonar Designer
  • Transducer Engineer

DOSITS Links

People and Sound
How is sound used to study the Earth’s history?
How is sound used to explore for oil and gas?

Technology Gallery
Basic Technology> Geophone
Basic Technology> Hydrophone/Receiver
Basic Technology> Projector
Basic Technology> Vector Sensor

Audio Gallery
Ships

Resources

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Mechanical Engineers

OceanCareers.com: Mechanical Engineer

Human Resources And Skills Development Canada: Mechanical Engineers