What does a Mechanical Engineer do?
A Mechanical Engineer develops and designs machinery from start to finish. They are responsible for analyzing the functionality of their design and developing all mechanisms needed to support the functionality of the machine. They develop machinery needed in a variety of industries, from transportation to manufacturing. Their job is to determine what the client needs and develop a mechanism that responds to those needs. A Mechanical Engineer initially conducts adequate research into the product and map out any challenges that they may encounter. Then they develop a product that will work around those challenges and function as required.
Mechanical Engineer skills and qualifications
Mechanical Engineers create some of the most complex machinery in the world. Some skills and qualifications to look for in a successful candidate include:
- Exceptional analytical and organizational skills
- Strong communication skills, both oral and written
- Excellent project management skills
- Outstanding research and investigative skills
- Excellent understanding of digital processing tools
- Deep knowledge of mechanical design and development
Mechanical Engineer experience requirements
A Junior Mechanical Engineer may have no experience aside from their education. However, a senior-level Mechanical Engineer usually has a minimum of seven to 10 years of practice in their field. Most Senior Mechanical Engineers are responsible for managing a team and leading project development.
Mechanical Engineer education and training requirements
At a minimum, a Mechanical Engineer will have a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field. In some industries, a master’s or doctorate degree is required. A Mechanical Engineer must also have a license from their provincial association of engineers in order to approve drawings or submit reports as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.). To obtain their relevant license, candidates should typically register to apply after graduation, and after a three- or four-year period of working in the field under supervision, they will be eligible to take the examination.
Mechanical Engineer salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Mechanical Engineer in Canada is $61,367 per year. Salaries will vary based on geographical location, type of industry, and level of experience of the candidate.
Job description samples for similar positions
If this job description sample isn’t quite the right fit for your company, some similar job description samples include: