Mechanical Engineer Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities

This post provides complete information on the mechanical engineer job description, including the key tasks, duties, and responsibilities they typically perform.

It also highlights the major requirements to be met to be hired for the mechanical engineer job description role.

What Does a Mechanical Engineer Do?

The mechanical engineer job description involves designing, developing, and operating various machines, including automobiles, planes, and trains.

Mechanical engineers must know how to fix these machines when they break down.

They develop and improve new machinery designs, as well as manufacturing processes.

Mechanical engineers work with materials such as aluminum, steel, and wood.

They ensure that the machinery being designed and built is safe for use by people.

Mechanical engineers read and interpret blueprints and drawings, as well as do mathematical calculations (for example, doing the necessary calculations to determine how much material is needed for a particular machine).

It is also their duty to design tests that are used to evaluate the performance of machines or manufacturing processes.

These tests verify that current products will satisfy customer requirements.

Mechanical engineers also ensure that future products will meet customer needs, as well as supervise other engineers and technicians, and manufacturing workers.

This position receives regular training in new techniques that are needed to improve existing products.

It is the duty of the mechanical engineer to work with other engineers on the design of new products and manufacturing processes.

More on Mechanical Engineer Job Description

The mechanical engineer job description also involves performing physical tests to determine a product’s performance.

It also entails writing reports and making presentations to people who are interested in their work, such as other professionals, management, investors, and government officials.

They write reports that describe their work and give presentation at conventions and meetings related to their job duties.

Mechanical engineers make sure that the procedures and methods they are using are safe.

They make recommendations to improve work procedures and methods if necessary.

It is also their responsibility to make sure that design specifications are followed in the planning, production, and maintenance of machinery.

Mechanical engineers ensure that the final product meets customer requirements, and that the machinery is safe and reliable, especially when they are working with people who have not been trained as a mechanical engineer.

When people are using machinery, the mechanical engineer ensures that they are following safety procedures and standards designed to prevent accidents.

Mechanical Engineer Job Description Sample/Example/Template

The mechanical engineer job description involves the following duties, tasks, and responsibilities:

• Designs, develops, and tests mechanical components, machines, and equipment
• Analyzes problems to establish design requirements and specifications for mechanical engineering projects
• Prepares drawings, sketches, diagrams, and specifications to define the design concept
• Designs electrical components for machines, equipment, and control systems
• Develops detailed cost estimates of each project based on time studies of similar work, materials costs and labor rates or standard costs, such as average rates established by Management Engineer department or Management Engineer manager in accordance with the company standards and legal requirements
• Determines the design, testing, and manufacturing methods for the mechanical and electrical equipment for new products or revisions
• Prepares specifications to satisfy customer requirements and coordinates with other departments as required to ensure that all specifications are consistent with project goals
• Ensures that all sub-work is completed within established deadlines as directed by management
• Reviews drawings, sketches, diagrams and specifications to ensure compliance with company standards and legal requirements prior to approval by management, or makes any changes necessary to conform to those requirements prior to approval by management
• Serve as a technical resource to the customer, or provide product support or information to the manufacturing department, sales and marketing departments
• Recommend methods and systems for improving productivity and efficiency of mechanical engineering activities
• Provide leadership in problem solving and adjustment of design parameters/specifications to accommodate unforeseen conditions with little or no direction from management.

Mechanical Engineer Job Description for Resume

If you are writing a new resume or CV as someone who has worked before as a mechanical engineer or presently holding that position, you can create a compelling Professional Experience   section for the resume by applying the mechanical engineer job description sample above.

You can apply the mechanical engineer duties and responsibilities provided in the sample job description above in creating the Professional Experience section of your resume or CV.

This will significantly enhance the effectiveness of your application, especially if the new job that you are seeking requires someone with some mechanical engineering work experience.

Mechanical Engineer Requirements: Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

Here are major requirements you may be expected to meet to be hired for the mechanical engineer role:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Associate’s degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, physics or related field
• Experience in mechanical design and test development on machinery and equipment
• Excellent math, analytical, problem solving and communication skills
• Ability to work within organizations’ safety standards
• Full awareness of all applicable governing laws and company policies pertaining to the employee’s job assignment
• Demonstrates the ability to work with minimum supervision
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment and within tight deadlines
• Ability to work independently with minimal, or at times no, supervisor direction
• Demonstrates a track record of working in a team environment with good interpersonal skills
• Must have the ability to communicate effectively with all levels of management, engineering and production personnel
• A common sense understanding of the work and its requirements.

Mechanical Engineer Salary

The average annual salary for a mechanical engineer is about  $73,804 (payscale.com) and $80172 (indeed.com) where the highest paying cities according to Indeed includes: San Jose, CA, $93,754; New York, NY, $93,079; Denver, CO, $85,770; Atlanta, GA, $84,369 and Dallas, TX, $83,629 per year.

According to zippia.com, there are currently about 140,586 mechanical engineers working in the United States.

Women make up 9.4% of all mechanical engineers, whereas men make up 90.6%. A hired mechanical engineer is 41 years old on average.

Mechanical engineers are predominantly White (71.7%), followed by Asian (15.6%), Hispanic or Latino (7.1%), and Black or African American (3.0%).

Conclusion

Mechanical engineers are at the forefront of technological innovation and engineering design. With their in-depth knowledge of mechanical systems and machinery, they are essential to the growth of our economy.

This post is helpful to individuals interested in the mechanical engineer career. They can learn all they need to know about the duties and responsibilities mechanical engineers perform, so they can decide if it’s what they want to do.

It is also useful to recruiters/employers in making a detailed mechanical engineer job description for their companies.