Mechanical engineer
Mechanical engineers create solutions and solve problems, playing a central role in the design and implementation of moving parts across a range of industries
As a mechanical engineer, you'll provide efficient solutions for the development of processes and products, ranging from small component designs to large-scale plants, machinery or vehicles. You'll work on all stages of a product, from research and development to design and manufacture, as well as installation and final commissioning.
Most industries rely on mechanical systems, making mechanical engineering one of the most diverse of all engineering disciplines. Due to this, there are employment opportunities across several sectors.
Responsibilities
As a mechanical engineer, you'll need to:
- research and develop products
- improve production processes, such as those in large oil refineries or manufacturing plants
- design and implement cost-effective equipment modifications to improve safety and reliability
- develop a project specification with colleagues, often including those from other engineering disciplines
- develop and use new materials and technologies
- manage people, projects and resources - this will depend on your role
- develop, test and evaluate theoretical designs
- discuss and solve complex problems with manufacturing departments, sub-contractors, suppliers and customers
- ensure a product can be made reliably and will perform consistently in its specified operating conditions
- manage projects using engineering principles and techniques
- plan and design new production processes
- produce detailed specifications and design outlines
- recommend modifications following prototype test results
- use research, analytical, conceptual and planning skills, particularly for mathematical modelling and computer-aided design
- consider the implications of issues such as cost, safety and time constraints
- work with other professionals, within and outside the engineering sector
- monitor and commission plant and systems.
Salary
- Starting salaries for mechanical engineers, including those on graduate training schemes, typically range between £26,000 and £30,000.
- Mid-level or intermediate lead or principal engineers earn in the region of £35,000 to £40,000.
- As a senior mechanical engineer, for example, in the role of chief engineer, you can achieve a salary of £45,000 to £65,000.
Salaries vary depending on the employer, industry and demand.
Income figures are intended as a guide only.
Working hours
Working hours typically include regular extra hours but not usually weekends or shifts.
Self-employment and freelance work are possible for qualified engineers with a proven track record and experience. Short-term contract or consulting work is also available and is often arranged through agencies.
What to expect
- The work is mainly office-based with regular visits to plants, factories, workshops or building sites. Factory production areas can be noisy.
- Women are currently underrepresented within chartered engineering, although initiatives such as WISE and Women's Engineering Society (WES) strive to encourage more women into the industry.
- Opportunities arise most in towns and cities with a strong manufacturing or research presence, or in areas that support specialist engineering.
- Travel within a working day is frequent and overnight stays and overseas work may be required.
- There are many opportunities to work abroad, particularly in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Australia.
Qualifications
You'll usually need a degree to get into mechanical engineering. Relevant subjects include:
- aeronautical engineering
- agricultural engineering
- computer-aided engineering
- engineering science
- manufacturing engineering
- mechanical engineering
- nuclear engineering.
A good honours degree is usually required, although some employers place as much emphasis on soft skills and commercial awareness as on class of degree.
A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not essential but can be useful especially if your first degree is not in an engineering or other related subject. Masters are available in subjects such as:
- computer-aided engineering
- design engineering
- manufacturing engineering
- mechanical engineering
- medical engineering.
It's useful if your first degree or Masters is accredited by a relevant professional body, such as the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), as it can help you to achieve chartered status later. Details of accredited courses are available at Engineering Council - Accredited Course Search.
It's possible to become an engineering technician without a degree, HND or foundation degree. However, to progress to the role of mechanical engineer you would need to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge. You may also need to take higher qualifications.
Student membership with a professional body will help you keep up to date with developments in the industry and enable you to start making contacts. Relevant organisations include:
Skills
You'll need to show:
- a high level of technical and scientific knowledge and the ability to apply this knowledge to practical problems
- good oral communication skills and confidence in dealing with a range of people, including clients, contractors, designers, directors and plant operators
- clear and concise written communication skills
- the ability to work well within a team
- IT skills, particularly computer-aided design
- creativity and problem-solving ability
- the ability to work under pressure
- organisational skills, including time and resource planning
- fluency in a second language - depending on the type of industry, this may be helpful for dealing with international offices or clients.
Work experience
Work experience is valuable, and many large employers offer structured internships and summer placements. These provide an excellent insight into the nature of the work and are often hands-on.
Some degree courses offer a year in industry, which helps to demonstrate what the career will be like and create an opportunity to make some good contacts for future job prospects. This type of relevant experience will provide evidence of skill development and commercial awareness.
The charity EDT (Engineering Development Trust) organises paid placements in industry for school leavers and undergraduates, typically lasting 12 months.
The platform Workfinder connects young people (16 to 24) with local businesses for industry experience opportunities.
Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.
Employers
Mechanical engineers can find employment in a huge range of sectors as mechanical engineering plays a part in almost all the products and services we see around us.
Employers of mechanical engineers include:
- aerospace and automotive industries
- the armed forces and the Ministry of Defence, e.g. the Defence Engineering and Science Group (DESG)
- construction and building services
- energy utilities, including nuclear
- engineering consultancies
- government agencies
- manufacturing industries
- medical engineering
- oil and gas industries, including petrochemical industries
- process industries, including pharmaceuticals, food and cosmetics
- the public sector, including the Civil Service, local authorities, hospitals and educational institutions
- research establishments, both academic and commercial
- sports engineering
- transport, including road and railways.
Look for job vacancies at:
Recruitment agencies such as Matchtech and Hays advertise vacancies and handle contract vacancies, particularly for experienced engineers.
Find out about employers before your final year and contact them at engineering recruitment fairs.
Professional development
It's possible to enter the engineering industry through a graduate training scheme. If you do this, you'll complete a structured course of training, which usually involves rotational experience across various disciplines.
You could work towards gaining chartered engineer status (CEng), which is an internationally recognised qualification awarded by the Engineering Council that enhances earning potential and career prospects. You'll need to be a member of a professional institution, such as IET or IMechE, so that you can apply through them for professional registration.
The process of becoming chartered is more straightforward if you have an accredited undergraduate degree and a Masters or an accredited integrated MEng degree. To see which qualifications are accredited see the Engineering Council.
Some employers will offer opportunities to study for a part-time MSc in a relevant subject.
You'll also need to demonstrate that you're working at a particular level and have the required professional competences and commitment, as set out in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC).
Most large firms offer structured training and CPD opportunities, including short courses and cross-departmental placements. Professional bodies, such as IMechE and IET, can help with CPD as well.
Career prospects
Most careers in engineering lead to senior roles with responsibility for other staff or larger projects and budgets. If you're leading teams or managing projects, developing your people management skills will be helpful.
Gaining chartered status (CEng) will enhance your career progression as it evidences that you've met a standard of experience and knowledge in the profession. Also, all chartered engineers who are members of a professional engineering institution and registered with the Engineering Council are eligible to apply for European Engineer (Eur Ing) status. This is useful for working internationally.
With experience, you could progress to senior roles, such as engineering director, or move into consultancy.