Most people think that mechanical engineers deal with machines and their parts, while this is true mechanical engineering education is versatile. Mechanical engineers are involved in the design of a component, a machine, a system and a process both on macro and micro scales, from largest systems like submarine navy and satellites to the tiniest components such as switches and sensors.
What is Mechanical Engineering?
What is Mechanical Engineering? Image Courtesy of AdobeStock
Mechanical engineering is a broad and diverse field of engineering that studies objects and systems in motion. In particular, anything that needs to be manufactured—indeed, anything with moving parts needs the proficiency of a mechanical engineer.
Mechanical engineers use the principles of motion, energy, and force to engineers analyze the work of machines and ensuring that designs function safely, proficiently, and reliably, all at a reasonable cost.
Mechanical engineers do make a difference; they build and power the machines we use in our day to day life. Mechanical engineering careers center on creating technologies to meet human being needs. The field of mechanical engineering touches almost every aspect of modern life, including the human body, a highly complex and extraordinary machine.
This also includes solving contemporary problems and creating economical solutions in health care, energy systems, transportation, world hunger, space exploration, climate change, and so on. In addition to this, mechanical engineers play key roles in various industries including automotive, aerospace, biotechnology, computers, electronics, micro-electromechanical systems, energy conversion, robotics and automation, and manufacturing.
Mechanical Engineering Facts and Statistics
Mechanical engineering is considered to be one of the oldest branches of engineering. According to U.S News ranking, mechanical engineering ranks #2 in Best Engineering Jobs, #13 in Best STEM Jobs and #37 in Best 100 Jobs.
Most mechanical engineers are satisfied with their jobs according to surveys. The Mean Entry-Level salary for a mechanical engineer is $61,538 and the Mean Annual salary is $92,800 and the Top 10 Percent salary is $136,550 per year.
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is the official organization of mechanical engineers.
Disciplines Within Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineers have a wide range of opportunities and their education mirrors this breadth of subjects. Students focus on one area while firming up analytical and problem-solving skills applicable to any engineering situation.
Prominent disciplines within mechanical engineering include but are not limited to:
- Aerospace
- Automation
- Automotive
- Autonomous Systems
- Biotechnology
- Composites
- Computer Aided Design (CAD)
- Control Systems
- Cyber security
- Design
- Energy
- Ergonomics
- Human health
- Manufacturing and additive manufacturing
- Mechanics
- Nanotechnology
- Production planning
- Robotics
- Structural analysis
What skills do mechanical engineers need?
The essence of engineering is the ability to solve problems. With this at its core, mechanical engineering also calls for applied creativity—a hands on understanding of the work involved along with strong interpersonal skills like networking, leadership, and conflict management.
Building a product is only part of the equation; knowing how to deal with people, ideas, data, and economics in an engineering project fully makes a mechanical engineer. To put it in simple words, in addition to effective technical skills, a mechanical engineer needs to have creativity, management skills, verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work under pressure.
Society depends on mechanical engineering. The need for this engineering expertise is great in so many areas, and as such, there is no real bound for the newly minted mechanical engineer. Breakthroughs in materials and analytical tools have opened new ways for mechanical engineers. Nanotechnology, biotechnology, composites, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and acoustical engineering have all extended the mechanical engineering scope and toolbox.
