What Does a Mechanical Engineer Do?
A mechanical engineer designs, develops, and tests mechanical systems and components used in everything from consumer products to industrial machinery. They apply principles of physics, mathematics, and material science to solve complex problems related to force, motion, energy, and manufacturing processes. Mechanical engineers often work on project teams to turn concepts into fully functional, cost-effective, and reliable products or systems.
In their daily work, these engineers use CAD software to model parts and assemblies, perform simulations (e.g., thermal, fluid, and structural analysis), and create detailed technical documentation. They collaborate closely with manufacturing, electrical engineering, quality assurance, and supply chain teams to ensure that designs meet performance, regulatory, and production requirements. Whether designing HVAC systems, refining automotive components, or optimizing robotic mechanisms, mechanical engineers play a central role in innovation and product performance.
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Mechanical Engineer Core Responsibilities
- Design mechanical systems, components, and assemblies using CAD software
- Conduct feasibility studies, simulations, and failure analyses
- Collaborate with manufacturing teams to ensure production readiness
- Specify materials, tolerances, and fabrication processes
- Develop and maintain technical documentation, including BOMs and drawings
- Evaluate product designs for cost, manufacturability, and performance
- Support prototype testing, validation, and design iteration
- Coordinate with cross-functional teams (e.g., electrical, QA, procurement)
- Ensure compliance with safety, regulatory, and quality standards
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Proficiency in CAD tools (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, CATIA, Creo, etc.)
- Knowledge of mechanical design principles, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics
- Familiarity with finite element analysis (FEA) and computational tools
- Understanding of manufacturing processes and materials science
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications
Soft skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Effective communication with multidisciplinary teams
- Time management and project coordination abilities
- Detail-oriented approach with an innovation mindset
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related field
Certifications
- Required (in licensed engineering roles):
- Engineer in Training (EIT) / Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)
- Preferred (especially for senior/lead roles):
- Professional Engineer (PE) license
- Industry-specific certifications (e.g., HVAC, Six Sigma, ASME)
Preferred Qualifications
- 2–5+ years of relevant mechanical design or engineering experience
- Experience with prototyping, testing, and product lifecycle management (PLM) tools
- Background in industry-specific standards such as ASME, ISO, or FDA (for medical devices)
National Average Salary
Mechanical engineer salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Mechanical Engineer is:
$98,658
Sample Job Description Templates for Mechanical Engineers
Entry-Level Mechanical Engineer
Position Overview
We’re hiring an Entry-Level Mechanical Engineer to support the design, analysis, and documentation of mechanical components and systems. This role is ideal for recent graduates eager to apply engineering principles in a hands-on environment and gain experience across the product development lifecycle.
Responsibilities
- Assist in creating 2D/3D CAD models, drawings, and bill of materials
- Support testing and validation of mechanical components
- Perform basic engineering calculations and tolerance analyses
- Participate in prototype development and iterative design processes
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams on product development tasks
- Maintain documentation in accordance with internal standards and procedures
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Creo)
- Basic understanding of mechanical design, materials, and manufacturing methods
- Familiarity with FEA or simulation tools (coursework acceptable)
Soft skills
- Eagerness to learn and take direction
- Attention to detail and time management
- Team collaboration and communication skills
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering
Certifications
- Preferred: Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)
Preferred Qualifications
- Internship or co-op experience in an engineering or manufacturing setting
Mid-Level Mechanical Engineer
Position Overview
We are seeking a Mid-Level Mechanical Engineer to lead the design and development of mechanical systems from concept through production. This role is responsible for design validation, cross-functional coordination, and supporting manufacturing scale-up.
Responsibilities
- Design and develop mechanical components and assemblies using CAD tools
- Perform detailed engineering analysis and design for manufacturability
- Participate in prototype builds, testing, and performance optimization
- Collaborate with electrical, manufacturing, and quality teams
- Create technical documentation, engineering change orders (ECOs), and reports
Requirements
Hard skills
- Strong proficiency in 3D CAD (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, Inventor)
- Experience with FEA, thermal, or fluid simulation tools
- Understanding of GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, and BOM structures
Soft skills
- Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving
- Ability to manage multiple design projects simultaneously
- Effective communication across engineering and production teams
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering
Certifications
- Preferred: EIT or FE; PE is a plus
Preferred Qualifications
- 3–5 years of mechanical design and engineering experience
Senior Mechanical Engineer
Position Overview
We are hiring a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead high-impact design initiatives, mentor junior engineers, and drive performance improvements across mechanical systems. This role is responsible for system-level integration, risk mitigation, and technical oversight.
Responsibilities
- Lead mechanical design and validation from concept through production
- Oversee complex system integration and performance analysis
- Guide DFM/DFA processes and collaborate on vendor selection
- Review designs for compliance, cost efficiency, and reliability
- Mentor junior engineers and support knowledge transfer
- Identify design risks and lead failure mode mitigation
Requirements
Hard skills
- Advanced knowledge of mechanical design, testing, and manufacturing methods
- Experience with PLM systems, FEA, thermal/fluid analysis
- Proficiency in root cause analysis and reliability engineering
Soft skills
- Leadership and mentoring ability
- Cross-functional collaboration and technical presentation skills
- Strategic and detail-oriented design judgment
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering (Master’s preferred)
Certifications
- Required: FE
- Preferred: PE license or Six Sigma certification
Preferred Qualifications
- 6+ years of mechanical engineering experience in a product development environment
Mechanical Project Engineer
Position Overview
We are seeking a Mechanical Project Engineer to manage technical execution and timeline coordination for mechanical engineering projects. This role bridges engineering and project management functions to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery of mechanical systems.
Responsibilities
- Define mechanical project scope, deliverables, and resource needs
- Manage engineering timelines, budgets, and risk assessments
- Coordinate design reviews, testing, and documentation with internal teams
- Serve as the technical point of contact for stakeholders and vendors
- Track project status, resolve issues, and escalate delays as needed
Requirements
Hard skills
- Knowledge of mechanical systems design, BOMs, and documentation
- Proficiency with project scheduling tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet)
- Understanding of manufacturing timelines and cost estimation
Soft skills
- Strong project coordination and prioritization skills
- Cross-functional communication and stakeholder management
- Problem-solving under changing requirements
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related discipline
Certifications
- Preferred: PMP or Agile certification
Preferred Qualifications
- 4+ years of experience in mechanical design and engineering project management
Lead Mechanical Engineer
Position Overview
We are hiring a Lead Mechanical Engineer to drive design strategy, oversee complex mechanical projects, and lead cross-disciplinary teams through technical execution. This role ensures engineering excellence from R&D through production deployment.
Responsibilities
- Lead mechanical system design, testing, and system integration
- Define technical roadmaps and mentor engineering staff
- Ensure alignment between mechanical designs and company objectives
- Review critical designs, conduct risk analysis, and lead root cause investigations
- Collaborate with senior leadership, vendors, and partners
Requirements
Hard skills
- Expert-level CAD, FEA, and mechanical analysis skills
- Familiarity with advanced manufacturing methods and material selection
- System-level integration and performance validation expertise
Soft skills
- Leadership, mentorship, and cross-team communication
- High-level planning and long-term technical strategy
- Strong decision-making under ambiguity
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering (Master’s preferred)
Certifications
- Preferred: PE license, Six Sigma Black Belt
Preferred Qualifications
- 8+ years of mechanical engineering experience with 2+ in a lead role
Mechanical Engineering Manager
Position Overview
We are hiring a Mechanical Engineering Manager to lead a multidisciplinary engineering team, drive product innovation, and oversee resource allocation, technical quality, and engineering process development.
Responsibilities
- Manage and mentor a team of mechanical engineers and designers
- Oversee technical execution of multiple concurrent projects
- Ensure compliance with safety, performance, and regulatory standards
- Define and optimize engineering workflows, tool usage, and documentation standards
- Support recruitment, budget planning, and vendor engagement
Requirements
Hard skills
- Broad expertise across design, testing, and manufacturing disciplines
- Familiarity with PLM, ERP, and design review processes
- Strong understanding of engineering documentation and quality standards
Soft skills
- Inspirational leadership and talent development
- Strategic planning and resource management
- Strong communication with executives and cross-functional teams
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering (Master’s or MBA preferred)
Certifications
- Preferred: PE license, PMP certification, Six Sigma
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years of engineering experience, including 3+ years in a management or lead role