What does a Mechanical Engineer do?
Mechanical Engineers design and manufacture several types of machines, engines, mechanical devices and tools, depending on the industry their company operates in. They conduct testing on products manufactured for the company itself or its client. They are also involved in the completion of technical documents that a company may require. Mechanical Engineers may also need to conduct inspections in their work in the office and production sites.
Mechanical Engineer skills and qualifications
A successful Mechanical Engineer candidate must possess various prerequisite skills or qualifications needed to fulfil the required job duties. These include:
- Knowledge in using different types of machines, tools and computer programs
- Knowledge in maths and science
- Skills in product design
- Ability to conduct a repair on various machines and tools
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Attention to detail
- Must be registered with the Engineering Council
- Strong knowledge of CAD/CAM software
- Ability to meet product development deadlines and quality parameter targets
- Ability to work well with a team
Mechanical Engineer experience requirements
An ideal Mechanical Engineer candidate must have work experience related to the industry they have applied to. For example, a Mechanical Engineer candidate applying to work for an airline company must have prior experience in working on aircraft engines. Similarly a Mechanical Engineer applying to an automotive company must have prior experience in conducting aerodynamic testing and investigating vehicle engine problems. Some companies may require a Mechanical Engineer candidate with several years of experience while others may hire a candidate with limited experience.
Mechanical Engineer education and training requirements
An ideal Mechanical Engineer candidate must have a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Manufacturing, Electromechanical Engineering or Mechatronics. They must have four to five General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSEs) at grades 9 to 4. A Mechanical Engineer candidate must also obtain to industry-recognised certifications. In some cases, an employer may consider a Mechanical Engineer candidate that has undergone a manufacturing engineer degree apprenticeship.
Mechanical Engineer salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Mechanical Engineer is £35,125 per year. However, this exact salary may vary depending on a candidate’s experience, the job’s location and the company.
Job description samples for similar positions
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