United States
Mechanical
“Design is not how it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works”
– Steve Jobs
Mechanical Engineering encompasses all the disciplines of study that are important in this era of modernization.
From the detailed study of rigid body dynamics of objects and machines, today, there exists no sphere of life that is untouched by the influence of this domain. It has always been considered the Evergreen branch of all times, and with the advent of robotics the importance has been reinforced.
“The economy of human time is the next advantage of machinery in manufactures”
– Charles Babbage
Be it a computer, a bike, machines or even an aeroplane; the very basic design needs a mechanical engineer. A mechanical engineer is responsible for the production of things ranging from simple safety pins to robots.
Careers and Jobs in Mechanical Engineering
“A man with the power of will could make himself anything he wished no matter what the circumstances.”
- Willis Carrier
Mechanical is one of the most sought-after majors in colleges and higher universities the world over. Not surprising, given the range of careers ahead for students of this field.
Some of the most sought-after careers that have a bright scope ahead include-
-
• Prerequisite: advanced knowledge of analytical and scientific software, proficiency in spreadsheet software like MS Excel.
• detailed knowledge of machines, designs, uses, repair and maintenance is another supreme requirement for pursuing a career in this field.
• This profession focuses more on the practical application of engineering science and technology.
• Application of techniques, principles, procedures and equipment to the design and production of goods and services is a must.
-
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
• This profession focuses more on the diagnosis, adjustment and overhauling of aircraft engines and assemblies including hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
• Helicopter and aircraft engine specialists remain the most sought-after job profiles in this domain.
• Role of an aircraft technician includes inspection of mechanical components of vehicles for problem identification and its solving. Interpretation of blueprints, specifications and diagrams to enhance installation, development and related operational activities.
• Supervision and inspection of maintenance records to ensure proper functioning is another major role.
-
Industrial Machinery Mechanics:-
• This includes the work of repairing, installation, adjustment and maintenance of industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems.
• Knowledge of industrial control software like BITCorp ProMACS PLC etc. easily helps one stand out in this era of increasing industrialization and globalization.
• Primary job roles consist of repairing and maintaining mechanical equipment, including servicing and testing machines, devices and moving parts that operate primarily on mechanical principles.
• Moreover, use of control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines and processes and its inspection to effectively identify the potential problems, errors or defects and their probable solutions.
• Advanced knowledge of handling and moving objects with utmost precision and accuracy is another skill that helps one stand out.
-
• This major has recently gained a lot of popularity among mechanical engineers, owing to the highly extensive scope of pursuing a bright career in this domain.
• This discipline is a perfect blend of knowledge of mechanical, production and computer-aided designs.
• Work activities of an aerospace engineer including monitoring activities, processes and materials to detect and assess problems.
• Interacting with computers dynamically to program, write software, set up functions, enter data and process information.
• Furthermore, apart from understanding mechanical technicalities, this field demands transcribing, recording, storing and maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Also, estimating resource developments for production projects and conferring with technical personnel to prepare operational plans is another key role.
-
• Demands research, designing, development and testing automation, intelligent systems or industrial systems control.
• Focused more on the mechanical side, work activities include drafting, laying out and specifying technical devices, parts and equipment to elaborate how structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled and used.
• Designing industrial processing systems, maintaining operational record systems and creation of a graphical representation of mechanical equipment is another responsibility of a mechatronics engineer.
Apart from the above careers, some students even choose to pursue careers in nuclear technologies, hydro-electronics, robotics and nanotechnology too. The scope, opportunities and branches of this part of engineering are simply endless!
Future Scope of mechanical engineering
One of the oldest areas of engineering, mechanical engineering has been of prominence since the industrial era. Initially focussed on heavy machinery and the automobile industry, mechanical engineering now is part of a broad range of industries.
Mechanical engineers are responsible for a wide number of innovations and developments over the years. And thanks to today's fast-growing technology, this field is seeing a major boost. Jobs in mechanical engineering are all about creating smart designs and concepts, by making use of the principles of physics, mathematics and chemistry.
Therefore, there is a lot of scope for individuals looking to have a career in mechanical engineering.
In a nutshell, even with AI and automation around, there’s still demand for mechanical engineers in different fields. Having a passion for creating something innovative can certainly work wonders for any mechanical engineering aspirant.
FREE COURSES
The below courses provide a good overview on the study area
- Modern Robotics: Mechanics, Planning, and Control Specialization on Coursera
- Autodesk CAD/CAM/CAE for Mechanical Engineering Specialization on Coursera
- Autodesk CAD/CAM/CAE for Mechanical Engineering Specialization on Coursera
An introduction is provided in the below video
Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s take a look at some commonly asked questions by students.
Mechanical engineers can make a difference with their innovation as they solve global challenges like climate challenge, cyber security, food, cleanwater, energy and resource management. They play a key role in the designing of tools, machines and equipment and their inspection and testing as well. Another important role is creating and demonstrating technical drawings.
It is rightly called as the evergreen field as it is the only branch immune to the influence of recession. Being the oldest branch of engineering, it involves design, production, manufacturing and operation of machinery, thus opening a wide range of options.
A good mechanical engineer is the one who is an innovator at heart, and truly enjoys complex problem solving. S/he must have excellent communication skills and be a team player. A knack for making things function more efficiently is another important factor.
There are multiple options for a mechanical engineer to pursue after his Bachelor’s. The most sought-after professions include Aerospace Engineer, Automotive Engineer, Nuclear Engineer, CAD Technician,Control Engineer, Welding Engineer, Production Engineer and Maintenance Engineer.
The top countries with highest salaries for mechanical engineers include Switzerland, Australia, United States, Japan and Canada. The complete list can be found at following link:-
https://www.quora.com/In-which-country-are-mechanical-engineers-in-demand
Mechanical engineers use a variety of softwares to design and check the performance of equipment like CATIA, Creo Elements, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, ANSYS/Abaqus/Nastran, etc.
A set of vital skills apart from possessing core knowledge of the field are budgeting skills, creativity and innovation, perseverance, commercial awareness, project management and excellent presentation and communication skills.
There are multiple sub fields that mechanical can be divided into. One such area is programming. Programming can be of vital importance for developing 3D models in computer aided design tools using programming languages. This helps a mechanical engineer to automate and customise the CAD software to decrease the lead time and increase productivity.
Moreover, MATLAB is the best programming language for mechanical engineers. It focuses on scientific calculations and is based on matrices. Apart from it, even Python language is employed in fields like vibrations and dynamic motion, simulation, risk automation and modelling engineering.
A career in mechanical engineering helps a candidate to build a better future for himself and the world as well. As per a study, 89% of mechanical engineers have job satisfaction and enjoy respect in society as well. Furthermore, because of scarcity of talent in this field and the increasing demand in industry, career prospects are quite bright.
