Interested in how things work? Do you love coming up with ideas to make daily life easier?
Mechanical Engineering could be the perfect profession for you. So, what is mechanical engineering? And how do you become a mechanical engineer? Read on as we break it down for you and answer your questions.
What is mechanical engineering?
Everything we use on a daily basis has been mechanically engineered. In fact, any design you could dream of can be brought to reality by a mechanical engineer. Mechanical engineers are responsible for the design of products and bringing these products to life. Explore all things mechanical engineering and find out how you can turn ideas into real-world solutions.
What does a mechanical engineer do?
Mechanical engineers apply scientific and engineering knowledge to develop, manufacture and operate machines and tools, which can then be used to develop things. It can range from the small-scale mechanical drawings for the design of machine elements to the large-scale mechanical design of industrial and mechanical processing plants.
Skills and responsibilities
A mechanical engineer helps optimise production processes and process innovations to improve complex industrial, manufacturing and infrastructure systems. This can involve research and development, developing prototypes, improving manufacturing processes, production planning and control.
In addition to on-the-job technical capabilites, key skills for a mechanical engineers include critical and creative thininking, communication, project management, leadership, effective teamwork and innovation.
As a mechanical engineer you’ll have the skills and knowledge required to design and manage the construction, operation and maintenance of machines used in many industries
- Computer-aided design and manufacture
- Machine condition monitoring
- Acoustics and noise
- Composite materials and mechanics
- Solar thermal energy design
- Automobile engine technology
Careers in mechanical engineering
There are many types of mechanical engineering jobs in Australia. Mechanical engineering jobs are available in almost every sector, from aerospace to mining, transport and automotive or power to medical technology. Career opportunities are endless and include construction, defence, automobiles and new products and industries.
Career options include:
● designing vehicles from cars to spacecraft
● analysing acoustics for planning a building
● designing a suitable power system
● designing and developing next generation machines that aid people with disabilities
● designing and manufacturing industrial robots
● using computer integration to automate a chemical manufacturing facility
● developing processes to fabricate nano-devices
● finding a cost-effective facility layout alternative for an aerospace manufacturing company
How to become a mechanical engineer?
If you’re interested in a career turning ideas and concepts into working machines and technology, then you might just be a mechanical engineer in waiting. To help you on your way, let’s take a look at how to become a mechanical engineer, what a mechanical engineer does, and what graduates can expect from a career in mechanical engineering.
Qualifications of a mechanical engineer
Interested in how to become a mechanical engineer and the qualifications needed for mechanical engineering? UNSW offers pathways to becoming a qualified mechanical engineer through our range of degrees.
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To meet the qualifications for a mechanical engineer, typically, you'll need to complete a degree in engineering with a major in mechanical engineering. If you’d like to study a mechanical engineering degree at UNSW you can undertake a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical Engineering). You’ll be part of an ecosystem that develops hands-on problem solving and empowers entrepreneurship.
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You may choose to undertake a postgraduate degree in mechanical engineering to improve your career prospects. At UNSW you can study a Master of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) or a Master of Engineering Science (Mechanical and Advanced Manufacturing Engineering).
Not sure which postgraduate engineering degree is right for you? The Master of Engineering is designed for students who are looking to become an accredited engineer, while the Master of Engineering Science is designed for qualified and professional engineers to upskill, reskill or retrain in a specific area of engineering.
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To work independently as a mechanical engineer, most states also require you to have accreditation that recognises your qualification and competency as an engineer. The UNSW Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical Engineering) and the UNSW Master of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) are accredited with Engineers Australia and recognised globally by the Washington Accord.
Find out more with our FAQ's
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It typically takes four years of study to receive your degree in mechanical engineering, after you complete your degree you can begin your career as a graduate engineer.
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Typically, you will need to complete a degree in engineering with a major in mechanical engineering. To work independently as a mechanical engineer, most states also require you to have accreditation that recognises your qualification and competency as an engineer. Typically, you'll need to complete a degree in engineering with a major in mechanical engineering that includes Industry Training to secure accreditation from Engineers Australia – the regulatory body for the profession.
Requirements can change from state to state so make sure you look at the state you’d like to work in. The UNSW Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical Engineering) and the UNSW Master of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) are accredited with Engineers Australia and recognised globally by the Washington Accord. View our degrees to see your study options.
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Just like all Engineering roles your salary will depend on your experience in the field, the time you've been working as an Engineer and the type of role you choose. Remember Mechanical Engineers can take on almost countless roles in Engineering due to their skills and knowledge.
According to Salary Expert, an entry level mechanical engineer (1-3 years experience) earns an average salary of $89,000 while a senior mechanical engineer (8+ years experience) earns an average salary of $159,000.
Want to find out more about our Mechanical Engineering programs?
At UNSW, we offer a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs designed to launch your career to new heights. Have questions or want to explore how we can help tailor your studies to your goals? Get in touch — we're here to support you every step of the way.
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