Engineering lecturer
Also known as: professor of mechanical engineering, engineering instructor, engineering professor, engineering science teacher, engineering science professor, lecturer in mechanical engineering
About this occupation
Engineering lecturers are subject professors, teachers, or lecturers who instruct students who have obtained an upper secondary education diploma in their own specialised field of study, engineering, which is predominantly academic in nature. They work with their university research assistants and university teaching assistants for the preparation of lectures and of exams, for leading laboratory practices, grading papers and exams and for leading review and feedback sessions for the students. They also conduct academic research in their field of engineering, publish their findings and liaise with other university colleagues.
A specialisation of higher education lecturer.
Essential skills and knowledge
- engineering principles
- write work-related reports
- guarantee students' safety
- mechanical engineering
- monitor developments in field of expertise
- teach engineering principles
- liaise with educational staff
- apply teaching strategies
- apply intercultural teaching strategies
- develop course outline
- assess students
- liaise with educational support staff
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary (O*NET 25-1032.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
- Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
- Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Typical education (US)
- Doctoral Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Social, Investigative, Realistic
Top skills: Speaking, Learning Strategies, Instructing, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing
US median pay: US$109,270 a year (2025), 40,270 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).
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyExtremely important (4.8)
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignExtremely important (4.6)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsExtremely important (4.5)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsExtremely important (4.5)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.4)
- PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsVery important (4.2)
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalImportant (3.5)
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryImportant (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 Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Doctoral Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or 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.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary
- Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
- Architectural and Engineering Managers
- Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Materials Scientists
- Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
- Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary
- Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary
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.