How to become a Mechanical Engineer

Duties & Tasks of a Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical engineers:

• Design new machines, equipment or systems, taking into account cost, availability of materials, and strength and maintenance requirements
• Consider the appearance of the designs as well as the impact on users and on the environment
• Carry out research on the use of different types of fuel and energy, materials handling, heating and cooling processes, the storage and pumping of liquids and gases, and environmental controls
• Use computer-aided design (CAD) to assist with design and drawing
• Design and construct resource development projects such as offshore platforms, onshore gas plants and iron ore mining facilities
• Supervise the operation of manufacturing process plants such as vehicle and electrical appliance production plants, coal handling installations, power stations, and sewerage and water supply pumping stations
• Specify, select and install factory machinery and production systems and manage machinery maintenance
• Set up work control systems (such as the testing of equipment) to ensure that performance, quality, cost and safety requirements are met
• Act as consultants, researching possible changes or improvements and estimating costs of products for clients.

Tasks

• Inspects plant to ensure optimum performance is maintained.
• Organises and manages project labour and the delivery of materials and equipment.
• Establishes standards and policies for installation, modification, quality control, testing, inspection and maintenance according to engineering principles and safety regulations.
• Designs mechanical equipment, machines, components, products for manufacture, and plant and systems for construction.
• Develops specifications for manufacture, and determines materials, equipment, piping, material flows, capacities and layout of plant and systems.
• Directs the maintenance of plant buildings and equipment, and co-ordinating the requirements for new designs, surveys and maintenance schedules.

Working conditions for a Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical engineers often work closely with other professionals (such as with architects in designing air conditioning plants), at times pooling expertise on particular projects. Mechanical engineers may work in production plants, in offices and outdoors when involved in construction projects.

Employment Opportunities for a Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical engineers are involved in a wide range of industries, including aviation, power generation, manufacturing, refrigeration and air conditioning, transportation and mechanical handling. They may specialise in areas such as research and development, engineering design, production, plant and maintenance.Mechanical engineers work in private engineering firms and in the building, mining, construction, power, manufacturing and processing industries. Universities and federal, state, territory and local government agencies also offer opportunities for employment. In addition, some mechanical engineers find employment with consultancy firms, while others are self-employed as consultants or contractors.Job opportunities depend on activity in the minerals, manufacturing and construction industries.

Specializations

Manufacturing Systems Engineer

A manufacturing systems engineer designs and improves systems and equipment that complete tasks accurately and change raw materials into products with minimal wastage of time, materials and energy.

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical engineers plan, design and oversee the development, installation, operation and maintenance of machinery. They conduct research to solve practical engineering problems and improve efficiency.

• 

  Average age

  38

• 

  Future Growth

  N/A

• 

  Gender Share

  7% female

• 

  Average full-time

  43 hours

• 

  Weekly Pay

  N/A

• 

  Skill level rating

  Very high skill

• 

  Unemployment

  Lower unemployment

• 

  Full-Time Share

  90%

• 

  Employment Size

  22,900

• 

  Employment by state

  ACT: 1.0%
  NSW: 25.9%
  NT: 0.6%
  QLD: 18.4%
  SA: 6.4%
  TAS: 1.2%
  VIC: 27.4%
  WA: 18.9%
  
• 

  Age brackets

  15-19: 0.2%
  20-24: 6.4%
  25-34: 34%
  35-44: 26.1%
  45-54: 18%
  55-59: 6.7%
  60-64: 4.6%
  65 and Over: 4.1%
  
• 

  Education level

  Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 8.9%
  Bachelor degree: 60.4%
  Certificate III/IV: 9.2%
  Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 17.5%
  Year 10 and below: 0.5%
  Year 11: 0.3%
  Year 12: 3.2%