What is Mechanical Engineering and What does a Mechanical Engineer Do? Mechanical engineering is the study and application of engineering, mathematics, materials science, and physics used to design and manufacture mechanical systems, from engines to heating and cooling systems, construction equipment and aircraft. (The kind of topics why you get headaches!) It is an exciting industry that is constantly changing and providing the world with amazing innovations.
Emerging as a revolutionary field during the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th century, mechanical engineering requires a thorough education and understanding of subjects such as thermodynamics, mechanics, electricity, and physics.
Mechanical engineers can work in a variety of fields including biomedical engineering, aerospace engineering, and chemical engineering.
What do mechanical engineers do?
Those who have studied to become mechanical engineers often are involved in a variety of fields and professions. The basic duty of a mechanical engineer is to design, develop, and test various devices and mechanical systems. They can design and develop anything from aircraft engines to sophisticated tools.
Most importantly, mechanical engineers need to be able to perform a variety of tasks, including analyzing problems and developing solutions within a mechanical system. They can also design or redesign mechanical and thermal systems, as well as test out new designs before they become fully implemented.
Again the range of a mechanical engineer is vast, and specific duties are varied, but mechanical engineers are usually at the forefront for research, design, and development of new machine tools or thermal systems. This means that mechanical engineers work with everything from batteries to innovative medical supplies.
Other mechanical engineers might design machines such as generators, steam and gas turbines, and internal combustion engines.
Educational Requirements for Mechanical Engineers
There is a high level of education required in order to become a mechanical engineer. Typically educational programs for mechanical engineers include a Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Science followed by a postgraduate degree such as a Master of Engineering and Master of Technology.
Coursework needed to complete these degree requirements include studying subjects such as mathematics, materials engineering, statics and dynamics, and thermodynamics.
In the mathematics category, it is specifically recommended to study calculus and differential equations.
Employment Opportunities
There are a vast amount of job opportunities for mechanical engineers, spanning various fields. Of the total numbers of engineers employed in the U.S. roughly 17 percent were mechanical engineers. The field is still growing and is estimated to grow 5 percent over the course of the next decade.
Mechanical engineers earn a median income of $80,580 in the United States with an average starting salary being $58,800.
An amazing and exciting field, mechanical engineering is the wave of the future and should be taken seriously. This is a field not for the faint of heart, as it holds tremendous responsibility while changing the world.
Mechanical engineering can also be one of the most exciting occupations on the planet, as the ability to learn how the world works and in what ways is an experience that many people will never get to have. Consider this field if you dare.