Mechanical engineer how long

Mechanical skills. Mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems. Problem-solving skills. Mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products. Licensure is not required for entry-level positions as a mechanical engineer.

Licensed engineers are called professional engineers PEs. A PE can oversee the work of other engineers, sign off on projects, and provide services directly to the public. State licensure generally requires. Several states require engineers to take continuing education to renew their licenses every year. Several professional organizations offer a variety of certification programs for engineers to demonstrate competency in specific fields of mechanical engineering.

Mechanical engineers may earn graduate degrees in engineering or business administration to learn new technology, broaden their education, and enhance their project management skills.

Mechanical engineers may become administrators or managers after gaining work experience. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. These highly skilled engineers engage with daily production issues, working closely with research and development and management to ensure effective production methods. Beyond education, taking advantage of networking opportunities and actively participating in professional organizations often opens doors. In the United States, mechanical engineers offering services directly to the general population may need to hold a state license.

While engineers working in the private sector and manufacturing are not required to become licensed professional engineers PEs , PE licensure boosts credentials. Each state sets specific licensure regulations, ensuring that public-facing engineering projects prioritize public safety.

All licensure candidates must earn a four-year degree and work under a licensed professional engineer for at least four years before they can apply.

Candidates must also pass two intensive competency exams. The National Society of Professional Engineers sets national licensure standards and a code of ethics for engineers, regardless of their practice area. Engineering licenses remain valid only within the state in which they are granted. Professionals can also pursue voluntary certifications, such as credentials issued by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers , to boost their resumes and signal expertise to potential employers.

Organizations like the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers offer many resources to professional engineers and students alike. In addition to administering a professional certification program, the society provides free and online access to continuing education resources, establishes equipment and process standards, and organizes research events on topics like nuclear power and fluid engineering.

Institution of Mechanical Engineers : IMechE represents more than , mechanical engineers working in countries around the globe. The institution hosts a library of digital resources for engineering professionals; offers advice and financial support to students; and provides in-person and customized training programs for individuals, teams, and organizations. IMechE also publishes Professional Engineering magazine. SME : This society supports manufacturing engineers by offering collaboration opportunities and human resource development.

SME hosts an annual conference and a series of research seminars on subjects such as additive manufacturing applications and the aerospace and defense industry.

The society also offers multiple professional certification programs for early-, mid-, and late-career engineers. SAE International : This society serves engineers and related technical experts in the automotive and commercial vehicle industries. SAE publishes scholarly journals and technical papers, supports aspiring engineers through a scholarship program, and provides formal certification and free professional development opportunities on topics like powertrain technology and safety and accident reconstruction.

The organization offers a wealth of resources for students and practitioners, including the Journal of Manufacturing Science and Technology and a dictionary and encyclopedia of production engineering.

Mechanical engineering courses include intro to fluid mechanics, introduction to thermodynamics, and mechanical and aerospace engineering. Mechanical Engineering OpenCourseWare - Massachusetts Institute of Technology : Offering an extensive catalog of online mechanical engineering classes, MIT provides access to graduate and undergraduate courses. Focusing on disciplines like mechanics, thermodynamics, and nanoengineering, classes include hydrodynamics and introduction to heat transfer.

Classes include public policy analysis for engineers, mechatronics technology, and electric vehicle technology. Stanford Online - Stanford University : Stanford Online provides free content, professional certificates, and executive education programs. This robust catalog of courses covers topics like aircraft and rocket propulsion, applied quantum mechanics, and applied aerodynamics.

Advances in Mechanical Engineering : This peer-reviewed, open-access journal publishes a wide variety of original research and review articles. The journal's editorial board accepts manuscripts from myriad research areas, inviting innovative insights related to the field of mechanical engineering. Recent articles covered automotive manufacturing and design, structural analysis of bicycle frame design, and applications of nanofluids.

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Research : JMER operates as an open-access, peer-reviewed journal covering mechanical engineering research in thermodynamics, robotics, and aerospace engineering. Dedicated to the dissemination of research to a global community, JMER is free to subscribers. Recent published research covered design and fabrication of a motorized rice hulling machine, modeling and simulation, and vibration in systems.

Frontiers in Mechanical Engineering : A relatively new journal, Frontiers in Mechanical Engineering offers an interdisciplinary approach to research within mechanical engineering. Boasting an editorial board of international experts, this open-access journal provides new and relevant information from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Mechanical Engineering Magazine : The flagship publication of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, this magazine covers business, industry trends, and groundbreaking research.

This publication is free with ASEM membership. For example, mechanical engineers who pursue jobs in the transportation industry will see more growth as organizations focus on new automotive technology innovations, such as clean diesel and hybrid-electric cars.

Also, there will be an increased need for mechanical engineers in the oil and gas extraction industry. There are several academic options for those who want to become mechanical engineers. Below are examples of common goals that mechanical engineering students have, and the specific degree choices that can help them meet those objectives:. The Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering, which commonly takes four years to complete, gives students the fundamental technical knowledge they need to obtain a license and get started.

Through this program, students learn how to design, test and manufacture various devices and products, giving them a full understanding of how a project progresses—from the design phase to the assembly line. In addition, students learn how to use the tools of their trade, including computer-aided design CAD software.

Along with technical skills, students gain the communication, problem-solving and critical thinking skills needed to work effectively as part of a team, and to ensure that projects are both functional and safe to use. The following are examples of the courses that undergraduates take, and the practical skills and knowledge that are associated with them:. Provides background about the engineering field and how engineering principles are used to solve problems in the real world.

Introduces students to how engineering design is related to product manufacturing and performance. Covers the use of metals in engineering applications and how metals are selected for various products. Provides an understanding of the fundamentals of heat conduction, convection and radiation transfer.

Whether they are interested in robotics, nuclear energy, biomedical engineering, aerospace or automobiles, this degree program builds on the principles they learned as undergraduates—as well as the hands-on experience they gained in their jobs—by providing more in-depth education. Covers how to design and develop products, keeping in mind how they will be manufactured and used by consumers. Explains the principles and phases of simulation modeling, and how it can be applied to various projects.

Provides an understanding of the tenets of patent laws and the relationship between engineering and patents. Mechanical engineering doctoral programs put a heavy emphasis on research and theory, so often engineers will enroll in this degree program with an eye toward becoming an industry researcher or a college professor.

When students complete their degrees—which can take about four to five years—they can expect to have the following skills:. Doctoral students are required to take the knowledge they have accumulated throughout their educational and professional careers and apply it to an engineering problem or question. As a result, Ph. By the time students have completed a doctorate, their math skills—both in theory and application—will be top-notch.

Students in Ph. Engineers sometimes have an image of being solitary or introverted, but in reality they spend much of their time working with clients and colleagues. Verbal and written communication skills are vital to function effectively in a team, and to write reports and technical guides explaining their projects.

The engineering field is constantly evolving, and by the time students complete a doctoral program, they have a deep understanding of classic mechanical engineering concepts, as well as the latest techniques and tools that are moving the field forward. Mechanical engineers work across all industries, and on all kinds of projects, from tiny devices to large structures. Depending on their individual skills and preferences, they can choose from several degree specialties that allow them to gain focused knowledge in the part of the discipline that interests them most.

Following are some examples of mechanical engineering specialties, as well as the careers where they are used:. Biomedical engineering is where engineering principles meet health care, resulting in the development of medical devices such as prosthetic limbs, artificial organs and surgical instruments. Students in this concentration will gain engineering acumen, as well as an understanding of the physiological systems of the body, and learn how to combine the two.. Students in this specialty learn how to use engineering concepts to develop a wide range of products.

This specialty focuses on topics such as planning, quality control and assurance, and the life cycle of products or devices. Individuals in this area contribute to the building of new transportation systems and the improvement of existing ones, ensuring they are safe, efficient, and environmentally sound. Students who concentrate in this area learn about propulsion and control, vehicle dynamics, and the societal benefit--as well as problems--created by different kinds of transportation systems.

Online mechanical engineering degree programs are a great way for students to pursue an education while managing the other responsibilities in their lives. However, students should not take the decision of which program to attend lightly. Below are some considerations students should keep in mind when choosing a school. This is an organization that is recognized by the US Department of Education, which means its seal of approval ensures that students will receive a quality education, learning the fundamentals of engineering as well as gaining an understanding of safety concerns and ethics.

Mechanical engineering programs do not all focus on the same subsections of the field. There are several concentrations of study, so students should consider what interests them most, and then pick a program that has a strong curriculum in that particular subject. Although getting theoretical engineering knowledge is important, students should also consider the benefits of a program that will offer them hands-on, practical experience in the field. For example, some schools may require that students complete an engineering project where they work with their peers to design and construct a device that has real-world uses.

Such work puts students in close contact with their professors, allowing them to get practical feedback and guidance. Engineering and creative skills dovetail in the work of mechanical engineers. On the one hand, they rely on advanced math—such as trigonometry and calculus—as well as their mechanical acumen to apply engineering concepts to design projects.