Become Mechanical Engineer

Home
Jobillico Career Guide
Become Mechanical Engineer

Design the technology the powers the world as a mechanical engineer. A mechanical engineer develops and designs machines, devices and other pieces of technology for personal, commercial and industrial use. It is a job that requires both a strong learned knowledge of technique and requirements, and also a creative eye to rethink familiar technology and approach it in a new way. There is a strong educational component, with Bachelor’s Degrees in Engineering from accredited universities as a minimum requirement for those looking to enter the field. It is a stable career that offers continuous opportunities as mechanical technology continues to develop and change at a rapid pace.

Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering
Certified and licensed by provincial authority (depends on jurisdiction)
Very strong mechanical and mathematical skills
Creativity and the ability devise new and innovative solutions to problems
Multitasking skills in order to keep all parts of large projects in focus

A mechanical engineer is typically employed by an engineering firm or a governmental department. They spend their days designing and revising mechanical projects to meet the requirements of individuals, commercial companies and industrial clients. Mechanical engineering projects are complex and require longer periods of time to be completed correctly and safely. It is important for a mechanical engineer to carefully record their daily progress and write updated reports in order make sure that they are correctly following every step of the design and manufacture process. A mechanical engineer will likely be working on multiple projects simultaneously, so they must keep accurate records and be prepared to move around to different parts of the process as the need arises.

Draft and design custom products
Study existing mechanical tech
Participate in meetings and brainstorming sessions
Build, test and rebuild prototypes
Use specialized computer software
Oversee assembly and construction
Communicate all important info to the build team
Provide updates and progress reports to clients and managers
Ensure the final product meets legal requirements and client specifications

Mechanical engineers have specific education requirements, and the majority will need a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or a related field. Upon graduation, aspiring mechanical engineers will need to enroll in the appropriate provincial trade organization, such as Professional Engineers Ontario, and meet the necessary requirements to be licensed. Depending on the job role, there could be additional certifications that will require additional training and education.

Mechanical engineers are recruited by companies in the manufacturing and construction sectors.

The long-term employment outlook for mechanical engineers is considered fair to good across the country. The number of available mechanical engineering job roles is predicted to slightly outpace the number of qualified job seekers - 11,300 to 13,200 - over the next 10 years. This will lead to increased competition for the available job roles in the industry.

A mechanical engineer works in workshops, factories and plants where they maintain and operate machinery. They can also perform mechanical repairs for residential, commercial and industrial clients, traveling to their locations as necessary.

According to the CNP code (national classification of occupations), here are the additional titles for a mechanical engineer: