Mechanical Engineer

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Work Tasks

• Plan and make mechanical equipment like tools, engines, and machines
• Make machines which use power like refrigerators, air-conditioners, robots, and machine tools
• Design energy systems for heat transfer, power plant engineering, pressure vessels, heating, refrigeration, motor vehicles, underwater technology, etc.
• Make designs using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) programs
• Work inside for the government, engineering firms, and producers of machinery, transportation, electrical equipment, instruments, and metal goods
• Work with machines, computers, computer-aided design, graphs, statistics, reports, proposals, budgets, drawings, layouts, and testing equipment

Salary, Size & Growth

• $80,500 average per year ($38.75 per hour)
• A large occupation (234,400 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow slowly (0.6% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 4-year degree in mechanical engineering
• Employers Prefer: A master's degree in mechanical engineering
• Skills/Courses: High school courses should include algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and physics; also helpful are mechanical drawing and drafting, computer science, machine shop, and business administration.
• Licensing/Certification: Registration as a mechanical engineer requires a degree, 4 years experience, and passing 2 tests.