Mechanical engineer
Mechanical engineers design, build and install machinery used in industries like power, engineering, transport and manufacturing.
Typical Salary
£26,000 – £52,000
per year
Working Hours
37–40
hours per week
Day-to-day tasks
As a mechanical engineer, you could:
- turn research ideas into technical plans, using computer aided design software
- test mechanical systems and analyse data to make improvements
- assess the safety of mechanical machinery and equipment
- oversee maintenance programmes in buildings, power stations and production plants
- manage a project team of technicians, designers and other engineering professionals
Skills needed
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- maths knowledge
- design skills and knowledge
- the ability to work well with others
- analytical thinking skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of physics
- the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to get into this role
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
Career progression
You'll be able to use your skills in industries, like:
- manufacturing
- construction
- energy and utilities
- transport
With experience, you could move into senior project management roles, specialise in research and development or become an engineering consultant.
You could work towards chartered engineer status through the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. This would give you industry recognition of your skills and knowledge and open up more opportunities for career development.
Working in a university or teaching in further education are also options open to you.