We've always been told mechanical engineering is the evergreen branch and has plenty of prospects in different sectors . Did you think so? I, too, have not given much thought to this matter. However, people kept asking. I have to address their question. For that matter, I read related topic online extensively on various websites. Hence, this article is the summary or gist of the materials which I have read online.
What does a mechanical engineer do?
Mechanical engineers can be found
- Analyzing and maintaining mechanical and thermal devices to solve an engineering problem: the power, automobile, steel, cement, oil and space industries have lots of mechanical and thermal devices which need to be monitored all the time. These devices undergo overhauling after some time. It is the job of a mechanical engineer to oversee the maintenance or performing it. In the power industry and oil industries, mechanical engineers take part in overhauling activities all the time. The experienced persons are well respected and sought after by private businesses even after retirement.
- Analyzing and maintaining heating and ventilation systems: Heating and ventilation are very much relevant to various sectors such as high-end laboratories, food processing industry, cold storage units, households etc. These systems require expertise for installation and maintenance. Furthermore, the systems are designed and manufactured by mechanical engineers.
- Designing and servicing in the automobile industry: Automobile industry is the probably the most significant sectors where mechanical engineers get employment. The automobile industry is not only about car manufacturers; this includes third party automobile part manufacturers, distributors, retailers etc. In various stages of automobile production, mechanical engineers are employed. The mechanical engineers are widely employed in these third party manufacturers. The automobile servicing industry is a big booming business which houses lakhs of mechanical engineers.
- Designing and redesigning as per requirement various mechanical and thermal systems using software tools or computer-aided designing procedures: Now a day, designers are in good demand for designing and redesigning as per requirement various mechanical and thermal systems using software tools or computer aided designing procedures. These designs are used for either research purposes, optimization in existing systems or production purposes. They take help of various software tools such as Ansys, Autocad, ProE, CATIA, Fluent etc.
- Investigating failures in systems and manufacturing: These are specific firms handled by experienced mechanical engineers. They are the troubleshooters. Many times, the factories or operations need particular intervention in terms of machinery or processes. These experts view the whole procedure and provide suggestions for productivity.
- Developing prototypes for commercial products: Manufacturing industry do not go production spree right after they receive a new design. They make prototypes and see their performances. It is mostly very much standard in space and aeroplane industry.
- Handling manufacturing and managing inventory: Industrial organization is itself a mechanical engineering related branch. It focuses on material and man management. Mechanical engineers are entrusted with the job of handling materials in inventory to cut losses. The manufacturing industry produces things anything and everything that human needs. The operations in a factory are handled by mechanical engineers.
- Test result analysis of system optimization in the practical field: There are specific firms who employ very skilled mechanical engineers who have knowledge & experience in optimization. Any system or process needs optimization so that it can be market competitive.
- Teaching: Many mechanical engineers take solace in teaching future generations. It is an important task. The future generation has to bear the torch. Now a day, mechanical engineers get themselves teaching various software tools for industry needs. These are equally important, like other sectors.
- Setting up new businesses or heading new businesses: Now a day, the Indian government is stressing on entrepreneurship or self-employment in various sectors. Mechanical engineers are expected to open up new businesses in core sectors to help developing economy and to employ people. Different skill development, vocational courses and monetary support to grow startups are the bold steps in this direction. Moreover, Indians can be seen heading big businesses all over the world, like Goggle, Microsoft, Intel etc.
- Insurance: Many people do not know that insurance sectors employ mechanical engineers. Automobiles or personal vehicles run into accidents all the time. People claim insurance money right after meeting an accident. It is the job of a mechanical engineer to survey the damage. The engineer suggests to the insurance company for paying costs.
- Mechatronics, Robotics and CNC: These are the new fields. Mechatronics combines mechanical and electronics stream. Now, a day robotic systems and CNC machines are finding relevance in different sectors such as oil exploration, automobile, manufacturing etc. Some say that robotics will kill the menial jobs one day. Therefore, designing and learning to program these systems to ensure the survival of mechanical engineers.
These are the broad fields where a mechanical engineer may find his employment during his careers.
Various job profiles available in the industry for mechanical engineers
Project Manager: Oversees the planning, budgeting, organizing, staffing and documenting of all the data.
Senior Engineer: Oversees the development of ideas, designing, installing software and providing support to the team in analyzing and collecting data.
Service and Maintenance Engineer: Oversees servicing the machinery used in various industries.
Instructional Designer: Oversees learning activities, transfer, and compelling course content which enhances retention.
Professors/Lecturers: They teach and perform research.
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