Mechanical engineers are highly trained professionals who play an important role in society, particularly in industry and manufacturing. Mechanical engineers are involved in the mechanisms and methods of which energy is used for practical purposes. They are involved in creating equipment and tools for other engineers to use. They work with a huge range of different machines. Some of the machines they work with and design are car engines, air conditioners, elevators, and nuclear reactors.

It is a very diverse and exciting career, with many different paths and specialties. It is a very broad job, with a range of different job titles such as manufacturing engineer, or environmental systems engineer. Most mechanical engineers specialize in a particular area of mechanical engineering. They may choose to work as a specialist in the area of bioengineering, commercial refrigeration equipment or in a certain industry such as petroleum or plastics.

There are many different job responsibilities and roles of mechanical engineers in all areas and specialties. Some engineers work solely on designing new products and equipment. To do this they need to factor several things into the equation such as the needs of the end user, the effects of the product and manufacturing of the product on the environment and the cost and implications of producing the item.

 

 

Some mechanical engineers may work as supervisors and advisors that oversee the production and installation of mechanical products and equipment in factories. Others may work as researchers or in sales, as well as some working in universities as lecturers - although only those with doctorate degrees are eligible for this. Many also may work as consultants or administrators.

Seventy-five percent of mechanical engineers work in manufacturing, usually companies and factories that make machinery, fabricated materials, as well as transport equipment and electrical goods. Mechanical engineering is the second largest area of engineering in the USA, only behind civil engineering. There are over 227,000 mechanical engineers currently employed in the USA. Twenty-two percent of them work in architectural, engineering and related services.

The job prospects are good for mechanical engineers, with projected growth said to be around four per cent by 2016. This growth is slower than other occupations though, largely because much of the USA's manufacturing is being sent overseas to areas where production and labor costs are much lower. However, there will always be a need for mechanical engineers as technology enhances in areas including nanotechnology, biotechnology and materials science.

 

 

 

 

For those wanting to become a mechanical engineer, there is a minimum requirement of a bachelors degree for entry level positions. Many universities across the USA offer degrees in mechanical engineering, and entry is very competitive and they require top grades in maths and the sciences. Bachelors degrees in engineering usually take between four to five years to complete. Many jobs require potential employees to have a minimum of a masters degree, which is an additional one or two years full-time. For those wanting to work as a researcher or lecturer at the university, they require a minimum of a doctorate degree.

During a mechanical engineers career it is important that they stay up to date on new developments within the industry through extra training. Usually employers cover the cost of this training to ensure that their staff are always highly trained.

Mechanical engineers who want to work privately or whose work affects the lives of people, property or health must be licensed in the state in which they want to work. To get a license they must have a minimum of a bachelors degree plus four years work experience in the industry before they can qualify to sit the state engineering exam. They must pass the exam to be granted a license.

Mechanical engineers' salaries vary greatly depending on their experience, qualifications as well as the company and location that they work. The average salary for mechanical engineers in the USA is $69,850, of which the top 10 percent earn a salary of around $104,900, and the bottom 10 percent earn an average salary of around $45,170. Mechanical engineers with a bachelors degree can expect to earn a starting salary of approximately $54,128, whilst those with a masters degree have an average starting salary of approximately $62,978, and those with a doctorate degree have a starting salary of $72,763 on average.