MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Important aspects

designing and constructing machines that make everything from jet airplanes to chocolate bars to clothing.

We take scientific principles and theories and apply them to practical, real-world situations

5 main duties of this job

Design machines and products using computer-aided design (CAD) software

Meet with managers and other engineers to discuss the expectations for the new machine

Oversee the manufacture, operation, and maintenance of the machines they create

Test and repair machines when necessary

Answer clients’ questions about machinery

Working conditions

Long hours 9-10 a days or 45-50 hours a week

Noisy factories or clean offices with computers

earning

Most mechanical engineers earn somewhere between $40,000 to $130,000 a year, depending on their experience and level of expertise. The highest salaries tend to be reserved for design specialists and those who have reached the level of supervisor or manager. In some cases these engineers can earn upwards of $130,000 a year.

education

High school students interested in pursuing a career in mechanical engineering should take courses in math, science, and English.

A bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering is usually the minimum educational requirement to work in this field. However, a degree in a closely related discipline, such as electrical engineering, may be acceptable as well. A master’s degree or a PhD may be required for more senior positions or for advanced research and development jobs.

Extended education

Many universities across Canada offer programs in mechanical engineering. Bachelor’s degree programs take 4 years to complete. Master’s degrees usually take about 1 or 2 years more, and then PhDs take 4 or 5 more years after that.

Level 1

Engineer-In-Training (EIT) or Member-In-Training (MIT)

Earnings : 40,000 to $60,000 a year Requirements : Bachelor’s degree in

mechanical engineering or a related field

Responsibilities : Testing machines and consumer products; analyzing the results of those tests; helping senior-level mechanical engineers with the design of new machines.

Level 2

Professional Engineer (P.Eng) Earnings : $60,000 to $90,000 a year Requirements: • Several years of

experience as an EIT or MIT Successful completion of the P.Eng licensing exam Possibly a master’s degree in a specialized area of mechanical engineering

Responsibility: Thinking up new ideas for machines and processes; designing new machines; overseeing the work of junior designers.

Level 3

Supervisor Earning: $85,000 to $130,000 a year Requirements: • Several years of

experience as a mechanical engineer Possibly further education in business administration.

Responsibilities: Coordinating projects; contributing to new designs; managing other engineers; setting schedules; handling administrative duties.

Level 4 Engineer manager Earning: $90,000 to $150,000 a year Requirements: • Many years of experience

as a mechanical engineer Possibly further education in business administration and/or management.

Responsibilities: Working on strategic development; evaluating new design concepts; overseeing the activities of several different departments; budgeting; taking care of administrative duties.

Why I choose This job

I chose this job because I like working with my hands, I enjoy taking things apart seeing how they operate.

I like dealing with machinery, computers etc.