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Mechanical Engineering Jobs
Mechanical engineering jobs are diverse, and range from technical positions to management positions and highly specialised professional roles.
What Exactly Does A Mechanical Engineer Do?
This varies from one job to another. Mechanical engineering jobs involve tasks and activities such as researching, designing, developing, and testing mechanical devices (including engines, tools, and other machines). Some of the different types of jobs that are available in the field of mechanical engineering include the following:
- Assembly Technician
- Boilermaker
- Chief Artisan (Mechanical)
- Diesel Mechanic
- Fitter and Turner
- Junior Mechanical Engineer
- Mechanical Assistant
- Mechanical Design Technician
- Mechanical Draughtsman
- Mechanical Engineering Project Manager
- Mechanical Engineering Technician
- Millwright
- Motor Mechanic
- Senior Mechanical Engineer
- Welder
As you can see from the list above, the jobs that are available range from entry-level technical jobs to senior and managerial engineering positions.
In a more junior or technical position, you may be required to:
- Perform physical tasks with your hands.
- Install, inspect, maintain, and repair equipment and machinery.
- Take instructions from, and report back to, a supervisor.
- Comply with all safety procedures.
In a more senior or managerial position, you may be required to:
- Communicate with clients regarding the work that needs to be done.
- Supervise, and delegate tasks to, junior engineers or technicians.
- Develop, implement, and evaluate safety procedures.
- Plan and implement engineering projects.
Mechanical engineering is a diverse and highly practical field — it covers a wide range of activities and presents you with a variety of job opportunities. It is also a rewarding field to work in, particularly if you enjoy getting your hands dirty, solving problems, and sometimes working closely with other people.
Why Is It Important To Study Mechanical Engineering If You Want To Apply For A Mechanical Engineering Job?
Due to the broad, technical nature of the work involved, there is a high demand for skilled artisans specialising in mechanical engineering. By studying a mechanical engineering course, you can gain the basic knowledge and skills that you need to take up an apprenticeship, or to start working in an entry-level position. While you can enter into an apprenticeship without having completed any theoretical training, it will help you to stand out from the other candidates if you have already completed a basic training course. Employers may be more willing to employ you as an apprentice if they know that you already have a basic foundation in mechanical engineering, and that they therefore won’t have to train you up from scratch.
Other reasons why it is important to study a mechanical engineering course include the following:
- You need to complete the relevant courses, and pass the relevant examinations, before you can become a fully qualified artisan or engineer.
- If you enter into a learnership, you will be required to complete a relevant course as part of your learnership agreement.
How Do I Know Which Course To Study?
Different courses prepare you for different types of mechanical engineering jobs. This means that before you decide which course to study, you need to decide what type of work you’d like to do.
If you’d like to work as an artisan/technician (e.g. motor mechanic, millwright, boilermaker, or fitter and turner), then completing your N1 – N3 qualifications is a good place to start.
If you want to work as a professional mechanical engineer, however, you will need to complete at least a relevant undergraduate engineering degree. For many positions, you may even be required to hold a master’s degree.
Also read:
What Skills And Characteristics Do You Need To Work In This Industry?
To be a successful mechanical engineer, you need:
- Creativity
- Analytical thinking skills
- Problem solving skills
- Time management skills
- Communication skills
- The ability to work in a group
- The ability to translate a technical concept into simple terms
You also have to be willing to work with your hands and to do physically demanding work.
Where Can You Study Towards A Career In The Field Of Mechanical Engineering?
You can study towards a technical career in mechanical engineering at Oxbridge Academy. Oxbridge Academy offers a wide range of nationally accredited N1 – N3 Engineering Studies courses via distance learning.
Have a look at the list below to see the full range of options that are available:
Motor Mechanics:
- National Certificate: N1 Engineering Studies (Motor Mechanic – Petrol)
- National Certificate: N2 Engineering Studies (Motor Mechanic – Petrol)
- National Certificate: N3 Engineering Studies (Motor Mechanic – Petrol)
- National Certificate: N1 Engineering Studies (Motor Mechanic – Diesel)
- National Certificate: N2 Engineering Studies (Motor Mechanic – Diesel)
- National Certificate: N3 Engineering Studies (Motor Mechanic – Diesel)
Millwright:
- National Certificate: N1 Engineering Studies (Millwright – Engineering Drawing)
- National Certificate: N2 Engineering Studies (Millwright – Engineering Drawing)
- National Certificate: N3 Engineering Studies (Millwright – Engineering Drawing)
- National Certificate: N1 Engineering Studies (Millwright – Industrial Engineering)
- National Certificate: N2 Engineering Studies (Millwright – Industrial Engineering)
- National Certificate: N3 Engineering Studies (Millwright – Industrial Engineering)
Fitting and Turning:
- National Certificate: N1 Engineering Studies (Fitting and Turning)
- National Certificate: N2 Engineering Studies (Fitting and Turning)
- National Certificate: N3 Engineering Studies (Fitting and Turning)
Boilermaking: