Mechanical engineer

About this occupation

Mechanical engineers research, plan and design mechanical products and systems and supervise the fabrication, operation, application, installation and repair of systems and products. They research and analyse data.

• Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports.
• Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, or maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems or processes to meet requirements.
• Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design, performance specifications, or environmental regulations.
• Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.
• Investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and recommend remedial actions.
• Recommend design modifications to eliminate machine or system malfunctions.

Typical education (US)

Bachelor's Degree

Preparation

Job Zone 4 of 5

Interests

Realistic, Investigative, Conventional

Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Mathematics, Science, Complex Problem Solving

US median pay: US$104,110 a year (2025), 296,810 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Subjects this work relies on

How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).

• Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignExtremely important (4.5)
• Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyVery important (4.5)
• MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalVery important (4.2)
• English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.1)
• Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.9)
• Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (3.6)
• PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsImportant (3.4)
• Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.2)

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

Preparation needed

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Most common education (US)

Bachelor's Degree

Education

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.