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Mechanical Engineers

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

Wages

New workers
AVERAGE
Experienced
£24,239
£42,187
£63,294

New workers start around £24,239. Normal pay is £42,187 per year.
Highly experienced workers can earn up to £63,294.

Available jobs

In the past year there were 56,681 vacancies for this type of job

3.06%

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 and develops mechanical equipment, such as steam, internal combustion and other non-electrical motors for railway locomotives, road vehicles 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

  • Maintenance Engineering

  • Machinery

  • Mechanical Design

  • Electrical Engineering

  • Project Management

  • Continuous Improvement Process

  • Hydraulics

  • SolidWorks (CAD)

  • 3D Modeling

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.

  • Communication

  • Problem Solving

  • Management

  • Operations

  • Customer Service

  • Planning

  • Detail Oriented

  • Innovation

  • Troubleshooting (Problem Solving)

  • Self-Motivation

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

Mechanical Engineering

University of Strathclyde

BEng (Hon) · 4 Years · Full-time · Glasgow · 15/09/2025

Tariff points: N/A

Mechanical Engineering

Nottingham Trent University

BEng (Hon) · 3 Years · Full-time · Nottingham · 15/09/2025

Tariff points: 104/112

Mechanical Engineering

Manchester Metropolitan University

MEng (Hon) · 4 Years · Full-time · Manchester · 22/09/2025

Tariff points: 112/120

Mechanical Engineering

Coventry University

MEng · 4 Years · Full-time · Coventry · 01/2026

Tariff points: 120/120

Mechanical Engineering

Imperial College London

MEng (Hon) · 4 Years · Full-time · London · 27/09/2025

Tariff points: N/A

Engineering (Mechanical)

University of Aberdeen

BEng (Hon) · 4 Years · Full-time · Aberdeen · 15/09/2025

Tariff points: N/A

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Energy Plant Operatives

Related industry guides

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Engineering and manufacturing