Careers and Outcomes

Build the tools and machines that solve problems

Have you ever asked, ‘How does that work?’ or ‘What’s that for?’

As a mechanical engineer, you'll know how it all happens.

They make things move and function.

Mechanical engineers work on the engines, motors, and systems that you see and use all the time.

Step into the shoes of a mechanical engineer and you can:

Analyze problems to see how a mechanical device might help solve the problem.
Develop a prototype of the device and test the prototype, then analyze the test results and change the design as needed.
Design power-producing machines like electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines.
Design power-using machines, such as refrigerators and air-conditioners.
Design material-handling systems, such as conveyor systems and automated transfer stations.
Develop industrial production equipment, including robots used in manufacturing.

As a mechanical engineer, you’ll become an inventor, innovator and problem solver.

As a mechanical engineer, you can make a good living for your services.

As you get further into your career, your salary will grow depending on where you live, work and how much experience you have.

Pay

$95,000

Average annual salary for mechanical engineers.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Job growth

Projected job growth this decade for mechanical engineers.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

One of the best things about mechanical engineering: You can work in almost any industry and earn a strong salary.

Top career fields for mechanical engineers include:

Design and analyze machines, ranging from the nano scale to internal combustion engines the size of an office building.
Keep the room temperature at 72 degrees, your car cruising down the road at 72 mph or your computer numerical control (CNC) mill cutting at 72 inches per minute.

Control systems measure what’s going on in a system and tell it how to behave.
From raw materials to finished and usable products, manufacturing encompasses every step along the way.

Recent topics of interest include additive manufacturing of materials and enabling effective human-robot interactions.
What's that in the sky? Something mechanical engineers helped build.

Design and test aircraft and spacecraft, including autonomous systems, airplanes, rockets and helicopters.

You can work with manufacturers, air/space companies, and government-funded agencies such as NASA.
Use mechanical engineering concepts to improve medicine and healthcare, including the design/development of prosthetics and medical robotics.

With your skill-set, you can work for biotechnology, medical, pharmaceutical, food and agricultural companies.
So much potential awaits in this ever-growing career field.

You can harness the power of renewable energy sources like wind, solar, hydroelectric and geothermal.

Mechanical engineering concepts can also be applied to energy storage systems, like batteries, and the thermodynamics/controls of such systems.

In Springfield and beyond, you’ll find former Miner Bears doing big things.

Local employers include: