Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical engineers use engineering principles to design procedures, products and machinery to make them more efficient and functional. They work throughout a machinery’s life cycle including its design, development, installation, testing and maintenance. Agriculture mechanical engineers focus on agricultural systems such as farming systems.
Future Job Market
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Fair
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Good
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Excellent
Typical Employers:
Mechanical engineers can be found in laboratories, plants or corporate offices typically in engineering services, research and development or manufacturing. Specifically, agriculture mechanical engineers may work on equipment design, motorized processes, refrigeration, robotics, etc.
Suggested Professional Organizations and Associations:
- The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- American Society of Agricultural Engineers
- National Society of Professional Engineers
Salary:
$95,000?
SAE Connections:
What Responsibilities Will I Have?
- Analyze problems and determine how engineering principles can be applied to solve them
- Manage the overall design, draft and fabrication drawings of mechanical devices
- Review and develop mechanical specifications and troubleshooting plans
- Development of technical documents such as testing procedures and manuals
- Keep accurate records of repair, maintenance and sale
- Assist with the training and implementation of mechanical maintenance programs
- Assist in the oversight of mechanical construction activities
- Develop materials for the checkout and start-up of the facility
- Manage one or more specific portions of work of a project
- Assume responsibilities of a maintenance engineer (engineers who install, troubleshoot and repair equipment)
- Lead maintenance work processes
- Analyze how a mechanical device could be used to help solve problems
- Work with computer software to develop 3D designs and perform calculations
- Design ways to test procedures, products and machinery
- Develop and test prototypes of new machinery
- Analyze test results and change designs as needed
- Oversee the manufacturing process
Recommended High School Courses:
- agricultural education, especially agricultural mechanics
- mathematics
- physics
Education/Training Required:
Mechanical engineers have, at minimum, obtained a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a similar engineering field such as chemical, civil, agricultural or environmental engineering.
