Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering fields. Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices, including tools, engines, and machines. Mechanical engineers require a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology. Mechanical engineers work in numerous industries including automotive, aerospace, medical, construction, and more. Due to the versatility of the field, mechanical engineers can be found working in many different environments. Some work in offices, while others may spend time on production floors, construction sites, or oil rigs. Let’s explore the current demand for mechanical engineers.
Job Outlook for Mechanical Engineers
The job outlook for mechanical engineers is very strong. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of mechanical engineers is projected to grow 3 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. This will result in about 17,300 new jobs over the decade.
Several factors contribute to the positive outlook for mechanical engineering jobs:
- Increasing efforts toward sustainability and renewable energy are expected to drive demand for mechanical engineers in various industries. Mechanical engineers will be needed to design and build renewable energy systems such as wind turbines, solar panels, and biofuels.
- Advances in fields such as robotics, automation, and additive manufacturing will require mechanical engineering expertise. Mechanical engineers will be sought after to design, maintain, and improve automated systems and advanced manufacturing equipment.
- Development of new technologies and products in fields like medical devices, aerospace, and transportation will drive the need for mechanical engineers to take ideas from design to production.
While overall growth is moderate, certain industries like architectural and engineering services are projected to grow much faster at 7 percent. Renewable energy generation is also projected to have strong growth in demand for mechanical engineers.
Mechanical Engineering Salaries
In addition to strong job prospects, mechanical engineering offers very competitive salaries. According to May 2021 salary data from the BLS, the median annual wage for mechanical engineers was $95,300. This means half of mechanical engineers earned more than this amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $63,550, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $152,800 annually.
The table below shows salary ranges for mechanical engineers by industry:
Industry | Median Annual Salary |
---|---|
Architectural and engineering services | $99,640 |
Transportation equipment manufacturing | $96,490 |
Machinery manufacturing | $95,250 |
Construction | $94,500 |
Professional and commercial equipment manufacturing | $89,400 |
As the data shows, mechanical engineers in architectural and engineering services earn the highest salaries. Construction and manufacturing industries also pay very well for mechanical engineering talent.
Job Opportunities for Mechanical Engineers
Given the breadth of the field, mechanical engineers can pursue careers across many industries. Here are some top industries hiring mechanical engineers and examples of jobs they may hold:
Manufacturing
- Design engineer – Plan and develop products such as industrial machinery, electronics, medical devices, automation systems
- Manufacturing engineer – Streamline manufacturing processes, implement automation and quality control measures
- Plant engineer – Maintain and enhance efficiency of industrial plant equipment and facilities
Transportation
- Automotive engineer – Design and test mechanical and electronic components of vehicles
- Aerospace engineer – Develop aircraft, spacecraft, satellites and their propulsion systems
- Marine engineer – Design and maintain marine vessels and propulsion systems
Construction
- HVAC engineer – Design heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems for buildings
- Project engineer – Plan and oversee installation, operation and maintenance of equipment and facilities
Energy
- Nuclear engineer – Design safe nuclear power reactors and power plant equipment
- Petroleum engineer – Develop methods for extracting oil and gas to optimize recovery
- Renewable energy engineer – Design and develop renewable energy tech such as solar, wind and tidal systems
Beyond these industries, mechanical engineers may also find roles in the military, robotics, biomedical technology, agriculture, mining, and more. With experience, mechanical engineers may also move into management roles such as project managers, technical sales leaders, etc.
Top Companies Hiring Mechanical Engineers
Many of the top engineering companies actively recruit mechanical engineering talent. Here are some leading global companies that routinely hire mechanical engineers:
- Boeing
- Caterpillar
- General Electric
- General Motors
- IBM
- Intel
- Lockheed Martin
- Northrop Grumman
- Raytheon
- SpaceX
- Tesla
- Siemens
These large multinational companies offer competitive salaries, benefits packages, and opportunities to gain experience on complex, challenging projects across divisions and global locations.
Job Market for Mechanical Engineers by State
The states with the highest employment for mechanical engineers are populous states with major manufacturing, aerospace, and technology industries. According to BLS data, the top five states employing the most mechanical engineers in 2021 were:
State | Employment |
---|---|
California | 59,400 |
Texas | 47,450 |
Michigan | 29,530 |
New York | 14,160 |
Ohio | 13,340 |
Other top states for mechanical engineering jobs include Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Washington, Arizona, and Indiana.
Metro areas with major manufacturing hubs also have high levels of mechanical engineering employment. The top metro regions were:
- Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI: 18,760 employed
- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA: 12,450 employed
- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA: 12,120 employed
- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL: 8,780 employed
- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA: 7,930 employed
High concentrations of aerospace, aviation, automotive, electronics, machinery, and medical device companies create plentiful mechanical engineering opportunities in these metro areas.
Skills Needed to Be a Mechanical Engineer
To be successful as a mechanical engineer requires certain hard and soft skills. Here are some of the most important abilities needed for the role:
Technical Skills
- Engineering expertise – Thorough knowledge of engineering principles, mechanics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and material science.
- Analytical skills – Ability to visualize systems, identify problems, analyze data, and simulate solutions.
- Software skills – Proficiency in CAD, simulation, 3D modeling, programming and analysis software like MATLAB or LabVIEW.
- Math skills – Excellent math abilities, especially algebra, calculus, statistics, geometry and trigonometry.
Soft Skills
- Communication – Convey complex technical information clearly to team members and management.
- Creativity – Innovate design solutions that meet project goals and customer needs.
- Teamwork – Collaborate effectively with engineers, technicians and professionals of other disciplines.
- Project management – Coordinate resources, budgets, timelines and stakeholders.
Mechanical engineers utilize a diverse blend of technical expertise, problem-solving ability and soft skills to execute projects successfully. Developing both types of skills can make you a highly valued engineer.
Educational Requirements for Mechanical Engineers
A four-year bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering is typically the minimum education required to become a mechanical engineer. Some employers may accept a bachelor’s degree in a closely related engineering field. Programs blend theoretical science and math concepts with hands-on engineering design. Coursework includes:
- Statics, dynamics and mechanics
- Material science
- Thermodynamics and fluid mechanics
- Machine design
- Engineering analysis and computer modeling
- Mechatronics
- Engineering ethics
Many mechanical engineering bachelor’s degree programs offer concentrations in areas like automation and robotics or energy systems. Accreditation from ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) is an important indicator that a program meets quality standards.
Some mechanical engineers pursue a master’s degree to gain specialized expertise. Master’s programs are available in areas like combustion engineering, vehicle engineering, nanotechnology and biomechanics. Advanced degrees can lead to careers in research or engineering management roles.
Demand for Experienced Mechanical Engineers
Beyond hiring new graduates, companies also seek experienced mechanical engineers to lead projects and teams. Here are some examples of in-demand mechanical engineering jobs typically requiring 5+ years of experience:
- Senior Mechanical Engineer – Use expertise to oversee major component and system design for projects. Review and approve designs produced by junior engineers.
- Principal Engineer – Provide technical direction and project oversight for large-scale, complex engineering initiatives. Ensure adherence to budget, schedule and requirements.
- Lead Mechanical Engineer – Direct a team of engineers working on product design and development. Assign responsibilities and provide guidance to junior staff.
- Engineering Project Manager – Plan and coordinate major engineering projects. Interface with stakeholders regarding scope, budget, timelines, and progress. Track performance metrics.
The dynamic nature of engineering means experienced mechanical engineers are always needed to bring their knowledge to developing innovative solutions to new problems. Their familiarity with the practical challenges of real-world projects also make them invaluable mentors for early career engineers.
Outlook for Mechanical Engineering Specialties
Within mechanical engineering, there are a number of specialties experiencing particularly high demand due to emerging technologies and market factors. Here are several specialty areas really booming right now:
Robotics Engineering
The robotics field is expanding as robots are deployed in more manufacturing, warehouses, healthcare, defense and other applications. Robotics engineers design and integrate robotic systems including mechanics, sensors, controls and programming.
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical engineers develop solutions like prosthetics, medical devices, regenerative tissue growth, and pharmaceuticals. The aging population and growth of chronic diseases is driving demand for biomedical breakthroughs.
Nanotechnology Engineering
Nanotechnology involves manipulating matter at the molecular level to create microscopic devices and systems. The approach has promising applications in medicine, energy, electronics, and materials. Nanotech engineers are pushing this cutting-edge field forward.
Renewable Energy Engineering
The transition toward renewable energy is accelerating as solar, wind, hydropower and other technologies become cost competitive with fossil fuels. Renewable energy engineers design and optimize clean power systems and equipment.
Mechanical engineers skilled in one of these specialties are in extremely high demand. Their specialized expertise allows them to command top salaries while working on meaningful projects advancing these key technologies.
How to Boost Job Prospects as a Mechanical Engineer
Here are some tips for mechanical engineering students and professionals to maximize their career opportunities:
- Pursue internships and co-ops to gain hands-on experience and make industry connections
- Develop expertise in CAD software, analysis tools, and programming languages
- Obtain certifications like the Professional Engineering (PE) license to validate skills
- Join professional associations such as ASME to build your network
- Consider getting a master’s degree in a specialty like robotics or renewable energy
- Maintain up-to-date technical knowledge and skills throughout your career
- Develop communication, teamwork, and project management abilities
Mechanical engineering is a dynamic, versatile field full of exciting innovations and career paths. By continuously building in-demand skills and seizing opportunities, mechanical engineers can enjoy rewarding, prosperous careers.
Conclusion
The job outlook for mechanical engineers is very positive, with steady growth projected due to demand in renewable energy, automation, medical technology, and other key areas. Mechanical engineers earn some of the highest engineering salaries which continue rising with experience. Opportunities exist across many industries for mechanical engineers to apply their skills, especially in top companies known for innovation. While the degree provides a strong technical foundation, continuously developing expertise in emerging tools, technologies and soft skills is key to maximizing career success as a mechanical engineer.