An Investigation into Role & Responsibilities of a Mechanical Engineer

A good mechanical engineer is an innovator and a problem solver. Being a mechanical engineer comes both with excellent technical as well as communication skills. We are always excited to be on the edge of technology, learning how to make things work more efficiently. They feel a sense of accomplishment when turning their ideas into reality and solving problems that better society. Mechanical engineers are naturally curious, innovative, creative, and practical, and have a desire to help people and the world around them.

Mechanical engineers are the second largest engineering occupation. They work mostly in engineering services, research and development, manufacturing industries, and the federal government. The rest are employed in general-purpose machinery manufacturing, automotive parts manufacturing, management of other companies, and testing laboratories.

Mechanical engineers typically are involved in the following:

• Analyze problems to see how a mechanical device might help solve the problem
• Design or redesign mechanical devices, creating blueprints so the device can be built
• Develop a prototype of the device and test the prototype
• Analyze the test results and change the design as needed
• Oversee the manufacturing process

Mechanical engineers use many types of tools, engines, and machines. Examples include the following:

• Power-producing machines such as electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines
• Industrial production equipment, including robots used in manufacturing
• Other machines inside buildings, such as elevators and escalators
• Machine tools and tools for other engineers
• Power-using machines, such as refrigeration and air-conditioning
• Material-handling systems, such as conveyor systems and automated transfer stations

Like other engineers, mechanical engineers use computers extensively for CAD/ CAM and many more. Computers help mechanical engineers to produce and analyze designs, simulate and test how a machine is likely to work, generate specifications for parts, monitor the quality of products, and control manufacturing and production.

Possible Industries for mechanical engineers

Mechanical engineers can find employment virtually anywhere where innovation takes place, and are sought out by employers within a variety of industries, such as: aerospace, automotive, chemical, construction, defence, electronics, consumer goods, marine, materials and metals, pharmaceuticals, rail, and utilities.

Mechanical engineers can also work in non-engineering types of jobs, both within and outside of the engineering industry. These can be in areas such as: finance, management, law, the military, government, medicine, research, technical sales, technical consulting, technical publishing/science journalism, and teaching. From developing a prosthetic leg to a new child's toy, a degree in mechanical engineering gives you a diverse choice of industries and projects you can be a part of.

What is it like being a mechanical engineer?

Mechanical engineering is a broad career that deals with mechanical issues, and engineers typically work with mechanical physics, vibrations, forces, rotation, and velocity on a daily basis.

In today's world, computers have changed how mechanical engineers do their job, allowing complex analyses to be completed in a matter of seconds versus the days or weeks of hand calculations that were once the norm. However, mechanical engineers will still use industrial production equipment, material-handling systems, and electric generators to produce a fully refined product, and using calculus and trigonometry is needed when confronted with the more complex and analytical portions of the occupation.

LAXMIKANT YADAV

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR (ME),

JEMTEC,  GREATER NOIDA