Graduate Mechanical Engineer Responsibilities
Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest branches of engineering. It gets its broad range because all kinds of machines need to be designed – from small machines like inkjet nozzles to large ones like spacecraft tools. Simply put, mechanical engineering has to do with anything that moves.
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has a current listing of 36 technical divisions, ranging from aerospace engineering to solid-waste engineering. Mechanical engineers study a range of subjects such as thermodynamics, materials, heat transfer, design, instrumentation, manufacturing, biomechanics, combustion, vibrations, etc.
Key Graduate Mechanical Engineer Responsibilities
A mechanical engineer transforms an idea into a product.
- Assessing the project responsibilities
- Liaising with the suppliers
- Deciding the budget, specifications and timescales with the client
- Preparing documentation and reports
- Providing technical advice
- Performing the necessary research
- Evaluating, modifying and re-testing the products
- Analyzing the data and interpreting it
- Implementing the test procedures and designs
- Evaluating the performance of engines, mechanical components and devices
- Designing new products and tools
- Researching the material best suited to a particular product
- Testing prototypes and giving suggestions if required
Essential Skills and Abilities
- Understanding the forces the product will encounter and how to enable the product to overcome them
- Ability to design a product keeping in mind various factors like aesthetics, functionality, etc.
- Ability to analyze and design objects or systems with motion
- Commercial awareness
- Good verbal and written skills
- Ability to work in a team
- Good interpersonal skills
- Ability to analyze and interpret the data
- Designing skills are also important. The mechanical engineer must be able to design the object while keeping in mind factors like environmental constraints
- Good problem solving skills
- Knowledge of contemporary issues
- Knowledge of the required skills, techniques and modern engineering tools
- Qualities such as being analytical, detail-oriented and creative are a bonus
- Knowledge of city codes, health regulations, ordinances for large-scale projects and state statutes is required
- Good scientific and technical skills
Educational Background
- To become a graduate mechanical engineer, you need to have a Bachelor's degree in engineering and specialize in mechanical engineering
- You can also qualify for entry-level positions if you have a degree in physical sciences such as math or chemistry
- To get into a good college, you need to have a very good performance in math, physical and chemical sciences
- To become a licensed engineer, you need to graduate from a program that is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, work for four years with a licensed engineer and then pass two state-certifying exams
Prospective Employers of Mechanical Engineers
- Civil services
- The armed forces
- Consultancies
- Engineering; manufacturing and construction companies
- Utilities
- Research and Development organizations
- Self-employment by doing consultancy and contract work. This is an option only for engineers who have enough experience in the field
Salary Details
- According to a 2008 report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage for a mechanical engineer was $37.59
- The average annual wage for graduate mechanical engineers can range from $57,800 to $1,14,000
- The exact salary depends on various factors like your qualifications, experience, which sector you are working in, your location, etc.
Career Prospects
- The sheer breadth of the mechanical engineering field allows for a wide variety of career options
- However, outsourcing and the economic slowdown has led to a lesser number of jobs in this field
- While there are openings for freshers, the growth rate has slightly decreased
- Mechanical engineers who are good at their jobs face no dearth of opportunities and variety in this field
Once you understand the graduate mechanical engineer responsibilities, mechanical engineering is an exciting field to work in, and it offers a wide range of variety to ensure that you never feel as though you are stuck in a rut.
