Mechanical Engineering

Career Research Report

Occupation:

Mechanical Engineer

The Job:

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-05 Edition, mechanical engineers mostly do research, develop, design, manufacture, and test tools, engines, machines and other mechanical devices. These engineers can create things from a microwave to even a car engine. Mechanical engineers also design tools that other engineers in other fields may use. To do this, they use computer software such as Computer-Aided Design (CAD), which is for the designing stage of a product, and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) which is for the producing stage of a product.

Mechanical engineers work in different industries such as energy systems, applied mechanics, automotive design, manufacturing, materials, plant engineering and maintenance, etc...

Formal Education:

A bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering is a minimum requirement. Master's Degree and PH.D are optional, but salaries will vary depending on education. Mechanical engineers need a lot of physics and math in their education in order to solve real life problems in their careers.

Skills:

Hard Skills:

-Apply fundamentals laws of physics

-Application of mathematic tools to the economical solution of real world problems.

Soft Skills:

-Strategic Planning

-Project Management

Salary:

Average annual earnings in 2002 were $62,880. The lowest 10% earned less than $41,490 and the top 10% earned $93,430.

Mechanical engineers working for the Federal Government averaged $72,500. On the other hand, Architectural, engineering and related services averaged $65,610, followed by Navigational, measuring, electro medical, and control instruments manufacturing with $65,430 and Aerospace products and parts manufacturing with $65,160. Finally, other types of mechanical engineers in machinery manufacturing earned an average of $55,850.

Job