Mechanical engineers research, develop and test various devices and machines. These professionals may work in the robotics, automotive or aerospace industries, or just about anywhere their mechanical skills can be applied.

They often have an innate curiosity about the way things work. For J. Robert Sims, who served as president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers during the 2014-2015 term, this curiosity reared its head at age 10. "I repaired an old radio and used an old power supply to experiment with the electrolysis of water. I produced a small amount of hydrogen that I proceeded to ignite," he writes in an email. "Good judgment is not inherent in the young – that comes later with experience."

An enthusiasm for solving problems is a vital trait of mechanical engineers, says Warren Seering, a professor of mechanical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It takes creativity to shepherd a theoretical device from an idea to a design and into a practical reality.

Computers have changed the way mechanical engineers do their work. Computing tools now "allow complex analyses to be performed in seconds that once required days or weeks of hand calculations," Sims writes. But to produce a fully refined product, mechanical engineers use grittier items, such as electric generators, industrial production equipment and material-handling systems. When confronted with the more complex and analytical portions of the occupation, having skills in areas like calculus and trigonometry can be a major advantage.

Mechanical engineering can be an exciting career, thanks to innovations like 3D printing and the development of new engineering materials like carbon fiber composites. And as a result of globalization, Seering says many mechanical engineers now work in teams and create designs for communities throughout the world.

Architecture, alternative energies, remanufacturing and nanotechnology are subsets of this profession that engineers can pursue.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 10.0% employment growth for mechanical engineers between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 28,500 jobs should open up.

Most jobs in this field require a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology. Management hopefuls may want to pursue a master’s degree.

After earning a degree from an accredited program, prospective engineers can sit for the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam. And after gaining the required amount of relevant work experience – usually about four years – those offering their services on an independent basis must pass a state-specific Principles and Practice of Engineering exam to get a professional engineering license – a requirement in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

"Find a company that lets you continue to learn," Seering says. "On the first job, that’s more important than location or salary." He says many mechanical engineering graduates spend their 20s bouncing around to different jobs and concentrations. By their 30s, they’ve largely figured out where they want to work in the field.