What Does a Mechanical Engineer Do?

The professional discipline of mechanical engineering is concerned with the design, development and manufacture of machines and mechanical engineering systems. These include engines and turbines of various kinds, land transport vehicles, ships, aircraft, pumps and fans, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, building services, industrial plants, and manufacturing processes. However, practically all areas of engineering make use of the skills of the mechanical engineer to some extent. Mechanical engineers offer expertise in the fields of energy technology, combustion, acoustics, noise and vibration control, biomedical engineering, fluid mechanics and aeronautics, automatic control, manufacturing, robotics, quality management, plant layout and process simulation. Good mechanical engineering is built on a strong foundation of theory, reinforced by an amalgam of experience and innovation.

Today's mechanical engineer is heavily involved in the management of people and resources as well as the development and use of new materials and technologies, especially computer-aided engineering. A rapidly growing field for mechanical engineers is environmental control, comprising the development of machines and processes that will produce fewer pollutants, as well as the development of new equipment and techniques to reduce or remove existing pollution.

Although mechanical engineers may occasionally work alone on a small project, they are more likely to be working on large, multi-disciplinary projects, liaising with specialists from other areas. In almost every sphere of modern life, from the air-conditioned office or home to the modern industrial plant or mode of transport, one sees the work of mechanical engineers who continue to develop and apply new knowledge and technology to improve the quality of life for society as a whole.

Where will you work?

A degree in Mechanical Engineering will provide you with the broadest career choice of all engineering disciplines. Mechanical Engineers can be found in any type of industry imaginable.

• Chemical Processing
• Power Generation
• Automotive Manufacturing
• Consulting
• Mechanical building services
• Aeronautical laboratories
• Defence technology
• Food processing
• Public utilities (electricity, water supply)
• Research
• Health
• Maritime Industry
• Manufacturing

Some examples of what Mechanical Engineers do are:

• Motor vehicle engine design to increase efficiency, reduce weight etc
• Motor vehicle body and component design for function, aesthetics and aerodynamics
• Aircraft engine and body design, maintenance, condition monitoring and fault diagnosis
• Mining equipment design, maintenance, condition monitoring and fault diagnosis
• Manufacturing equipment design, maintenance, condition monitoring and fault diagnosis
• Production planning in manufacturing or mining industries
• Quality control of manufactured products
• Design of novel consumer products
• Management consulting - organisational troubleshooting and efficiency improvement
• Environmental pollution control
• Occupational and environmental noise and vibration control
• Mechanical services in buildings - design and maintenance (e.g. air conditioning)
• Design and layout of new production lines for bulk manufacturing of products
• Introduction of new technology to increase efficiency in industry
• Computer modelling to improve product design and manufacturing processes
• Development of new materials (including polymers and steels)
• Development of better ways of joining materials together (eg new welding technologies)
• Design of spacecraft and associated launch hardware
• Aid worker, helping third world countries by installing essential services
• Water supply engineer responsible for operation of large pumping stations
• Electricity generation or distribution engineer responsible for installation and maintenance of power generation and power distribution equipment
• Gas turbine designer
• Technical manual writer
• Manager of specific projects
• Manager of specialised engineering aspects of companies
• Manager of a manufacturing or mining company
• Inventor (new equipment and processes)
• Computer analyst developing new and more efficient products

Personal attributes of an Mechanical Engineer

• Strong interest in mathematics and science
• Strong social awareness and concern for the quality of life
• A desire to put ideas into action
• Curiosity about how things work and how to make them better
• A good academic background with above average year 12 results in Mathematics I and II and Physics
• Ability and determination to succeed and to continue self-education upon completion of your studies
• Good communication skills
• Tertiary Entrance Ranking high enough to gain selection within the competitive quota