Mechanical Engineers

Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.

Also called: Application Engineer, Design Engineer, Equipment Engineer, Mechanical Design Engineer, Mechanical Designer, Mechanical Engineer, Product Development Engineer, Product Engineer, Project Engineer, Test Engineer, Air Conditioning Engineer (AC Engineer), Automation Engineer, Body Engineer, Brake Engineer, Car Designer, Combustion Engineer, Cooling and Heating Systems Design Engineer, Cryogenics Engineer, Diesel Engineer, Diesel Retrofit Designer, Distribution Engineer, Dust Control Engineer, Electromechanical Engineer, Engine Designer, Engineer, Erecting Engineer, Facilities Mechanical Design Engineer, Field Service Engineer, Geothermal Power Generation Mechanical Engineer, Heating and Cooling Systems Engineer, Heating Engineer, HVAC Design Mechanical Engineer (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Design Mechanical Engineer), HVAC Engineer (Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Engineer), HVAC Engineer (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Engineer), HVAC Sensor and Digital Control Designer (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Sensor and Digital Control Designer), Hydraulic Engineer, Hydroelectric Plant Mechanical Engineer, Industrial Green Systems Designer, Industrial Retrofit Designer, Installation Engineer, Internal Combustion Engineer, Machine Design Engineer, Machine Tool Designer, Mechanical Design Facilities Engineer, Mechanical Development Engineer, Mechanical Engineering Intern, Mechanical Equipment Test Engineer, Mechanical HVAC Engineer (Mechanical Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Engineer), Mechanical Project Engineer, Mechanical Research Engineer, Motorcycle Designer, Plant Engineer, Plant Equipment Engineer, Products Engineer, Products Mechanical Design Engineer, Refrigeration Engineer, Reliability Engineer, Research and Development Engineer (R&D Engineer), Roller Coaster Designer, Roller Coaster Engineer, Servomechanism Designer, Sheet Metal Engineer, Stress Analyst, Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE), Systems Engineer, Test Inspection Engineer, Textile Engineer, Tool and Die Engineer, Tool Design Engineer, Tool Designer, Tool Engineer, Tool Maker, Tooling Engineer, Utilization Engineer, Ventilating Engineer, Ventilating Expert, Weapons Designer, Weapons Engineer, Wind Turbine Mechanical Engineer

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports.
Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, or maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems or processes to meet requirements.
Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design, performance specifications, or environmental regulations.
Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.
Investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and recommend remedial actions.
Recommend design modifications to eliminate machine or system malfunctions.
Research and analyze customer design proposals, specifications, manuals, or other data to evaluate the feasibility, cost, or maintenance requirements of designs or applications.
Provide technical customer service.
Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, or repair to ensure that machines or equipment are installed and functioning according to specifications.
Assist drafters in developing the structural design of products, using drafting tools or computer-assisted drafting equipment or software.

Skills, machines and equipment

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Mathematics
Science
Complex Problem Solving
Judgment and Decision Making
Active Learning
Operations Analysis
Writing
Speaking
Systems Analysis

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (52.29% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

84,130–132,590 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 17-2141.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Build design, analysis, validation, and project experience; explore senior technical specialist, project lead, or engineering-management paths with the required qualifications.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (52.29% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Mechanical Engineers