If you’re qualified in mechanical engineering, or finishing up your engineering degree, it’s normal to wonder what roles are out there. The right career choice can impact your financial prospects. It can also ensure you embark on a path that you’ll be motivated to stick with for years to come. This quick guide to mechanical engineering opportunities gives you a starting point to dive into researching your dream career.
Traditional Mechanical Engineering Roles
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics offers many encouraging facts about the mechanical engineering sector:
- Available jobs in this field are rising at a rate of 11% per year, faster than many other verticals.
- The average mechanical engineering salary is $99,510 per year.
- Mechanical engineers often go straight into a role after achieving relevant qualifications, without the need for prior related work experience.
Some of these roles have been around for many years but are still in high demand. One example is a robotics specialist, particularly for industries like manufacturing where increased accuracy and productivity are top priorities. Product designers and engineers are also constantly in demand. They can find work across multiple industries, from electronics to the automotive sector.
Exciting Ventures Like Bioengineering
Mechanical engineering is a broad field and now includes newer disciplines such as bioengineering and nanoengineering. Combining the mechanical and the biological is not as science-fiction-like as it seems. Prosthetic limbs, disability aids, wearable healthcare devices, and even medical implants all fall under the umbrella of bioengineering.
Nanoengineering is another exciting area and means designing and creating at scales of one billionth of a meter. Examples include creating carbon nanotubes that are just one atom thick for more effective food packaging. Another innovation is quantum dots, tiny crystals with electronic properties that have multiple applications such as use in medical scanners. Expect roles in these fields to increase in number as the demand for smaller and stronger components increases.
Research and Academic Opportunities
If the cutting edge of mechanical engineering excites you, then you may want to consider driving that edge ever further forward by contributing to research. Current research topics include the impact of AI and machine learning on mechanical engineering. Researchers have noted that these emerging technologies could be aiding in predictive maintenance, efficiency improvements, and increased opportunities for sustainable engineering practices.
Academic opportunities also include teaching and lecturing — fostering the next generation of mechanical engineers. Training could also be a pathway for enthusiastic engineers with people skills, patience, and a passion for helping others improve.
Supporting Teams and Businesses
Of course, you don’t have to remain on the frontline of design and engineering. If you have leadership skills and thrive when driving teams forward, you could become a project manager or engineering consultant. Other skills required for these types of roles include excellent communication and collaboration. You also need the ability to think outside the box by spotting innovative solutions and allocating relevant tasks to team members with the most relevant skills. Consultants could combine mechanical engineering skills with business knowledge like finance and marketing to provide a more rounded approach to project management.
Entrepreneurship in Engineering Startups
Some mechanical engineers will have already an idea that they can’t wait to start working on. If you can source funding or work with an entrepreneur who has experience in attracting investors, you could create your own engineering startup. One New York-based startup focuses on providing 3D modeling software for other engineers, and has now raised over $135 million in funding. Another in Washington has received both government and corporate funding to work on zero-emission energy solutions for commercial ventures.
The right idea, skills, and training can help you create a startup that stands out from the crowd. Just remember that you’ll need someone with the expertise or experience to handle investors, marketing, and other non-engineering-related aspects of the business.
Keep Your Finger on the Pulse of Mechanical Engineering Opportunities
Remaining up-to-date with the diverse and rapidly shifting range of opportunities available to mechanical engineers can help ensure you end up in your dream role. Work with a professional recruiter to discover what’s available now and what’s likely to become available in the future. With the right support, you can plan for a career that’s fulfilling on both a personal and a financial level.
Bookmark the MRINetwork blog for more engineering career insights.