What a mechanical engineer does
Australia's occupation list says mechanical engineers plan, design, develop and test mechanical systems. They also oversee how those systems are made and maintained. The work includes:
- designing machines, tools and components
- planning the layout and processes of plants
- overseeing assembly and commissioning
- analysing how systems perform
- inspecting and testing equipment, and investigating failures
The US occupation database adds reading blueprints and technical drawings, and recommending design changes to fix faults.
Skills employers look for
England's National Careers Service lists the skills a mechanical engineer needs. They include:
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- maths and physics
- design skills
- analytical thinking
- attention to detail
- working well with others
- coming up with new ways of doing things
Registration and licences
Rules differ by country and state. Some examples, from each regulator or careers service:
- Canada: to practise engineering, you must hold a licence from an engineering regulator. Requirements vary by province or territory.
- Queensland, Australia: anyone providing professional engineering services must be registered as an RPEQ. The exceptions are working under an RPEQ's direct supervision, or to a prescriptive standard.
- United Kingdom: you could work towards Chartered Engineer status. The National Careers Service describes it as industry recognition.
In interviews, state your status exactly: graduate, registered, chartered or licensed. Never claim one you don't hold.
How the interviews usually work
You may meet a mix of these:
- A technical interview on design, materials, mechanics and failures.
- A project walk-through, where you explain a design, drawing or calculation.
- Behavioural questions about teamwork, deadlines and safety.
- A test or task, such as a short calculation, a drawing review or an aptitude test.
Ask what format to expect, and whether you can bring a portfolio or laptop.
Questions that test each skill
These are the kinds of questions that test each skill. They are examples, not a list from any one employer.
- Problem solving: "Tell us about a failure you investigated. How did you find the cause?"
- Design: "Walk us through a design decision. What trade-offs did you weigh?"
- Safety: "How do you make sure a design is safe to make and maintain?"
- Standards: "Which codes or standards have you designed to?"
- Teamwork: "Tell us about working with technicians or makers on a design."
- Learning: "Tell us about a tool or method you had to learn fast."
What to prepare
- Choose two or three projects from work, study or a team build.
- For each, write a one-page summary: the problem, your part, the numbers and the result.
- Revise the basics the ad names, such as materials, heat transfer, CAD or a standard.
- Practise explaining a drawing to someone who isn't an engineer.
- Check you're allowed to share any work drawings. If not, describe them instead.
Make your own part clear. Say "I" for what you did and "we" for the team.
A worked answer for an engineering role
Here is a made-up answer to a question that tests problem solving.
Made-up example
Chen, a made-up graduate engineer applying for a mechanical design job
Question
Situation
Task
Action
- I collected the failure records, and found every failure was the same output shaft bearing.
- I checked the bearing's rated load against the real load, using the motor data and belt tension.
- The tension was well above the design value, so I asked maintenance how they set it.
- The work instruction had no tension figure, so I wrote one and added a gauge check.
- I reviewed my numbers with a senior engineer before we changed the procedure.
Result
Chen uses data, checks the numbers and fixes the cause, not just the part. He also says who checked his work.
Questions
Do I need to be registered to work as a mechanical engineer?
It depends where you work. Canada requires a licence to practise engineering. Queensland requires registration, with some exceptions such as direct supervision. Check the regulator where you'll work.
Should I bring a portfolio?
If you can, yes. Bring short summaries of two or three projects. Check you're allowed to share any work drawings first.
What if I'm a graduate with little work experience?
Use university projects, team builds and placements. Be clear about your own part and what you learned.
Sources
Written by Seal the Offer from these pages, last checked on . Rules change, so check the employer's own page and the job ad before you apply.