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Mechanical Engineer Job Description: Top Duties and Requirements

A Mechanical Engineer researches, designs, and develops machinery like ventilation systems, air conditioning systems, manufacturing machinery, transportation, and more. Their main duties include designing components of machinery, evaluating functionality of machinery, and installing and operating machinery.

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Mechanical Engineer duties and responsibilities

A Mechanical Engineer has many daily duties and responsibilities that range from development to project management. Some of the most common tasks a Mechanical Engineer will be able to perform include:

  • Estimate costs and timeline associated with the development of a product from beginning to end
  • Supervise production and installation of their projects
  • Ensure that product development and manufacturing procedures adhere to legal safety standards
  • Manage mechanical failures
  • Provide all teams involved with instructions to operate or troubleshoot machinery
  • Create the standard protocol for maintenance and inspection of the machinery
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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.

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Mechanical Engineer job description FAQs

What qualities make a good Mechanical Engineer?

A successful Mechanical Engineer candidate demonstrates the qualities necessary to stay focused. A good candidate will also be an excellent problem solver. They are comfortable working under pressure, have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and are able to work as a team player. They are also very knowledgeable about the development of machinery and have a passion for creating innovative designs that improve machinery and transportation.

What is the difference between a Mechanical Engineer and an Industrial Engineer?

There are many similarities between both positions. The difference lies in the technical versus logistical elements of the job. A Mechanical Engineer focuses more on the physical mechanics of production. An Industrial Engineer may work on the same project, but is focused on the logistical planning, such as estimating IT requirements, managing team members, and managing budgetary constraints.

What are the different types of Mechanical Engineers?

The field of Mechanical Engineering covers a large number of industries. Mechanical Engineers may be specialized in aeronautics, aerospace, industrial machinery, biomedical engineering, ground vehicle systems, energy systems, combustion, mechatronics engineering, system dynamics engineering, and more. A Mechanical Engineer may work for a private firm or government agency. In either field, the goal remains the same: to create, design, and plan the production of mechanical systems.

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