Skip navigation
Search
Search
Back

Mechanical Engineers

Mechanical engineers undertake research and design, direct the manufacture and manage the operation and maintenance of engines, machines, aircraft, vehicle and ships’ structures, building services and other mechanical items.

Wages

New workers
AVERAGE
Experienced
£ 26,572
£ 43,013
£ 63,569

New workers start around £26,572. Normal pay is £43,013 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to £63,569.

Available jobs

In the past year there were 59,631 vacancies for this type of job

1.75%

Projected job growth over the next 8 years

Related courses

People work towards these careers by taking these courses at college and uni.

What they do most days?

  • Organises and establishes control systems to monitor operational efficiency and performance of materials and systems.

  • Ensures that equipment, operation and maintenance comply with design specifications and safety standards.

  • Designs mechanical equipment, such as steam, internal combustion and other non-electrical motors for railway locomotives, road vehicles, aeroplanes and other machinery.

  • Determines materials, equipment, piping, capacities, layout of plant or system and specification for manufacture.

  • Undertakes research and advises on energy use, materials handling, thermodynamic processes, fluid mechanics, vehicles and environmental controls.

Hard Skills

Hard skills are specific, learnable, measurable, often industry or occupation-specific abilities related to a position.

Skills are ranked based on the number of job adverts that list them as required skills.

  • Mechanical Engineering

  • Mechanical Design

  • Machinery

  • HVAC

  • 3D Modeling

  • SolidWorks (CAD)

  • Building Services Engineering

  • AutoCAD

  • Computer-Aided Design

  • Engineering Design Process

Soft Skills

Soft skills can be self-taught and usually do not necessitate a certain completed level of education.

Skills are ranked based on the number of job adverts that list them as required skills.

  • Communications

  • Management

  • Problem Solving

  • Planning

  • Innovation

  • Customer Service

  • Operations

  • Sales

  • Self-Motivation

  • Leadership

How do I get a job like this?

People in these types of job started their career paths after studying courses like the ones below.

Routes to this career

See all

Related careers

Electrical Engineers

Design and Development Engineers

Engineering Technicians

Building and Civil Engineering Technicians

Planning, Process and Production Technicians

Sheet Metal Workers

Tool Makers, Tool Fitters and Markers-out

Precision Instrument Makers and Repairers

Skilled Metal, Electrical and Electronic Trades Supervisors

Energy Plant Operatives

Related industry guides

See all

Engineering and manufacturing