Top Skills You Need as a  Mechanical Engineer to Boost Your Career Opportunities

Are you a student struggling to find the answer to how to get a job in mechanical engineering? Do not worry, you are not alone. There are many asking similar questions like how to become a mechanical engineer, how much are mechanical engineers paid, etc.

To land a successful job you need to focus on honing relevant skills to set yourself apart from others. This blog will go into these details to help you get set on the right track to achieve your career goal. 

 

What is Mechanical Engineering?

Mechanical engineering is one of the oldest branches of engineering, which combines physics and mathematical principles with designing, manufacturing and, analysing. Mechanical engineers are expected to maintain or manufacture mechanical systems by innovating with their core. Hence, it also requires an understanding of thermodynamics, structural analysis, electricity laws, mechanics, machinery operation, etc.

With the onset of digital technology, mechanical engineers may also need to know tools like CAD - computer-aided design, CAM – computer-aided manufacturing, robotics, and product lifestyle management.

 

 

Qualifications Required for Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineers should ideally have a four-year bachelor's degree in fields like thermodynamics, manufacturing and design, fluid mechanics, mechanical analysis, material strength, etc. Those with experience in aeronautical, automotive, and manufacturing engineering can also apply for jobs in the mechanical engineering sector.

The four-year undergraduate degree enables students to understand the science behind the working of mechanical apparatuses. Some universities also provide a five-year integrated program to obtain both bachelor's and post graduate degrees.

 

Skills for Mechanical Engineering

To establish yourself as a skilled mechanical engineer in the industry, try to have an understanding of all the basic engineering concepts and skills. 

Some of these skills include:

• Engineering drawing
• Design of machine components
• Basic manufacturing methods
• Sputtering technique
• Finite elements method

They may also help improve your soft skills like presentation, communication, critical thinking, creative thinking skills, etc. 

 

 

Top 4 Must-Have Skills on Your Resume

 

Designing skills

Designing skills are not just drafting skills but also require proficiency and intuition for working with shapes and proportions. A good design requires a lot of adjusting and balancing to make each component fit together seamlessly. Hence, designing is not an acquired skill, and as a mechanical engineer and designer, you will have to become familiar with the latest technology related to your field. 

Professional courses like Skill-Lync's Post Graduate Program in Automotive Design using CATIA V5 will allow you to gain hands-on experience and diversify your interests. If you are into designing automobiles, then this course is relevant for you. 

 

Math Skills

As a mechanical engineer, you will be expected to regularly use mathematical formulas and principles. The math skills you may need to know are:

• Basic arithmetic
• Algebra
• Geometry
• Trigonometry
• Statistics
• Calculus

 

Software Skills

Some tools that are consistently used in mechanical engineering are CAD, AutoCAD, MATLAB, Python, VBA, FEA, etc. An adequate level of proficiency is required while using these tools. However, with advancements in technology, more tools are available in the market that perform high-level programming and require advanced technical expertise.

The demand for talented design engineers is high. Hence, it is advisable to keep yourself updated with the latest industry trends. Some courses which can help you learn these skills are Skill-Lync's Post Graduate Program in CAD, Post Graduate Program in Computational Design and Pre-Processing, Post Graduate Program in CAE, etc.

 

A Conceptual Understanding of Different Engineering Aspects

A clear understanding of engineering concepts will allow you to apply the right concept according to the requirements of the product. Engineering concepts you may need to know are -

• Data analysis
• Test development method
• Reading technical drawings
• Mechanical aptitude
• Programming languages
• Strategic planning

 

Job Responsibilities of a Mechanical Engineer

Apart from thinking about how to get a job in mechanical engineering, you must also be aware of the job responsibilities of a mechanical engineer. As a mechanical engineer, your duties may vary depending on the industry type and size. However, some typical responsibilities of a mechanical engineer are:

 

Product assessment/design/testing/research

Mechanical engineers have to analyse and measure the properties and performance of the product to determine its potential. For example, products like cars, aeroplanes, etc., need testing.

 

Data interpretation and analysis

Data interpretation and analysis are very important because they help uncover patterns and styles in datasets, ultimately helping make the right product-related decisions.

Additional responsibilities of mechanical engineers are:

• Report analysis
• Quality management
• Fault assessment
• Computer modelling

 

Closing Thoughts

As a professional or aspiring mechanical engineer, you may feel overwhelmed reading about these skills. However, do not stress and gradually work on developing your skillset for career advancement.