What skills does a mechanical engineer need?

A mechanical engineer needs 39 essential skills including computer simulation, engineering principles, material mechanics, sustainable installation materials, principles of mechanical engineering. Core competencies include Problem Solving, Transdisciplinary Thinking, Communication.

Will AI replace mechanical engineer jobs?

The AI disruption score for mechanical engineer is 64/100 (high risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Science & ResearchScience and engineering professionalsISCO 2144

mechanical engineer

Mechanical engineers research, plan and design mechanical products and systems and supervise the fabrication, operation, application, installation and repair of systems and products. They research and analyse data.

Do You Have the Skills for This Role?

Core competency requirements inferred from the occupation's skill profile. Take the free assessment to see how you match.

Must-Have Skills (Advanced)

Problem SolvingAdvanced

Supporting Skills

Transdisciplinary ThinkingIntermediate

CommunicationIntermediate

CollaborationIntermediate

Digital FluencyIntermediate

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (39)

computer simulationcomputer simulationA programme run on a computer that represents dynamic responses of a system to explore a mathematical model behaviour, using a model of a real system, composed of mathematical equations.engineering principlesengineering principlesThe engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.material mechanicsmaterial mechanicsThe behaviour of solid objects when subjected to stresses and strains, and the methods to calculate these stresses and strains.sustainable installation materialssustainable installation materialsThe types of installation material which minimize the negative impact of the building and its construction on the external environment, throughout their whole life cycle.principles of mechanical engineeringprinciples of mechanical engineeringThe principles of mechanical engineering, physics, and materials science.technical drawingstechnical drawingsDrawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.building automationbuilding automationType of automatic control system where through a Building Managements System or Building Automation System (BAS) the control of a building's ventilation, humidity, heating, lighting and other systems ...mechanics of motor vehiclesmechanics of motor vehiclesThe way energy forces interact and affect components in motor vehicles such as cars, buses, invalid carriages and other motorised vehicles.CAE softwareCAE softwareThe software to perform computer-aided engineering (CAE) analysis tasks such as Finite Element Analysis and Computional Fluid Dynamics.fluid mechanicsfluid mechanicsThe characteristics and properties of fluids, including gases, liquids and plasmas, at rest and in motion, and the forces on them.3D modelling3D modellingThe process of developing a mathematical representation of any three-dimensional surface of an object via specialised software. The product is called a 3D model. It can be displayed as a two-dimension...mechanical engineeringmechanical engineeringDiscipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.solar absorption cooling systemsolar absorption cooling systemSolar absorption cooling is a heat-activated cooling system based on a solution absorption process. It contributes to energy performance.industrial engineeringindustrial engineeringThe field of engineering concerned with the development, improvement, and implementation of complex processes and systems of knowledge, people, equipment, etc.solid mechanicssolid mechanicsThe subfield in physical science that is interdisciplinary between physics, chemistry, materials science, computational science, and engineering. It studies the motion of solid materials and their def...mechanics of trainsmechanics of trainsThe mechanical aspects and principles of the mechanics involved in trains.pneumaticspneumaticsThe application of pressurised gas to produce mechanical motion.mechatronicsmechatronicsMultidisciplinary field of engineering that combines principles of electrical engineering, telecommunications engineering, control engineering, computer engineering, and mechanical engineering in the ...continuum mechanicscontinuum mechanicsThe study of the behaviour of materials disregarding their specific nature. It aims to create mathematical models to predict this behaviour particularly in relation to material deformation and motion.mechanicsmechanicsTheoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.integrated designintegrated designApproach to design which includes several related disciplines, with the aim to design and build according to the Near Zero Energy Building principles. The interplay between all aspects of building des...design a solar absorption cooling systemdesign a solar absorption cooling systemDesign an absorption cooling generation system with solar regeneration by heat tube collectors. Calculate accurate cooling demand of the building in order to select the right capacity (kW). Make a det...perform a feasibility study on solar absorption coolingperform a feasibility study on solar absorption coolingPerform the evaluation and assessment of the potential of the application of solar cooling. Realise a standardised study to estimate the cooling demand of the building, costs, benefits and life cycle ...manage engine-room resourcesmanage engine-room resourcesAllocate, assign, and prioritise engine-room resources. Communicate effectively, showing assertiveness and leadership. Obtain and maintain situational awareness, considering of team experience.execute analytical mathematical calculationsexecute analytical mathematical calculationsApply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.adjust engineering designsadjust engineering designsAdjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.use technical drawing softwareuse technical drawing softwareCreate technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.create technical planscreate technical plansCreate detailed technical plans of machinery, equipment, tools and other products.perform feasibility study on solar heatingperform feasibility study on solar heatingPerform the evaluation and assessment of the potential of solar heating systems. Realise a standardised study to estimate the heat loss of the building and the heating demand, the demand of domestic h...coordinate engineering teamscoordinate engineering teamsPlan, coordinate and supervise engineering activities together with engineers and engineering technicians. Ensure clear and effective channels of communication across all departments. Make sure the te...design engineering componentsdesign engineering componentsDesign engineering parts, assemblies, products, or systems.draft design specificationsdraft design specificationsList the design specifications such as materials and parts to be used and a cost estimate.use precision toolsuse precision toolsUse electronic, mechanical, electric, or optical precision tools, such as drilling machines, grinders, gear cutters and milling machines to boost accuracy while machining products.define part requirementsdefine part requirementsCalculate and determine the functional, physical, structural, geometrical and size dimensions for the parts necessary to create machines or equipment.design prototypesdesign prototypesDesign prototypes of products or components of products by applying design and engineering principles.design heating and cooling emission systemsdesign heating and cooling emission systemsInvestigate and select the appropriate system according to the heating and cooling generation system. Design and evaluate solutions for different types of rooms and spaces regarding square metres, hei...define technical requirementsdefine technical requirementsSpecify technical properties of goods, materials, methods, processes, services, systems, software and functionalities by identifying and responding to the particular needs that are to be satisfied acc...approve engineering designapprove engineering designGive consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.

Optional (52)

mathematical modellingmathematical modellingThe process of establishing a mathematical representation problem, such as equations, of a real-word to provide insights, discover new features about the problematic scenario, better understand the or...electromechanicselectromechanicsThe engineering processes that combine electrical and mechanical engineering in the application of electromechanics in devices that need electricity to create mechanical movement or devices that creat...precision mechanicsprecision mechanicsPrecision or fine mechanics is a subdiscipline in engineering that focuses on the design and development of smaller precision machines.transmission towerstransmission towersTypes of tall structures which are used in the transmission and distribution of electrical energy, and which support overhead power lines, such as high voltage AC and high voltage DC transmission towe...quality and cycle time optimisationquality and cycle time optimisationThe most optimal rotation or cycle time and over-all quality of a tool or a machine's processes.design drawingsdesign drawingsThe drawings detailing the design of products, tools, and engineering systems.micromechatronic engineeringmicromechatronic engineeringCross-disciplinary engineering which focuses on the miniaturisation of mechatronic systems.design principlesdesign principlesThe elements used in design such as unity, scale, proportion, balance, symmetry, space, form, texture, colour, light, shade and congruence and their application into practice.combined heat and power generationcombined heat and power generationTechnology that generates electricity and captures the heat that would otherwise be wasted to provide steam or hot water, that can be used for space heating, cooling, domestic hot water and industrial...aircraft mechanicsaircraft mechanicsTechnicalities over mechanics in aircrafts and related topics in order to perform a wide range of repais in aircrafts.electric currentelectric currentFlow of electric charge, carried by electrons or ions in a medium such as an electrolyte or a plasma.hydraulicshydraulicsThe power transmission systems that use the force of flowing liquids to transmit power.environmental legislationenvironmental legislationThe environmental policies and legislation applicable in a certain domain.robotic componentsrobotic componentsThe components that can be found in robotic systems, such as microprocessors, electronics, sensors, circuit boards, encoders, servomotors, controllers, pneumatics or hydraulics.aerodynamicsaerodynamicsThe scientific field that deals with the way gases interact with moving bodies. As we usually deal with atmospheric air, aerodynamics is primarily concerned with the forces of drag and lift, which are...blueprintsblueprintsMust be able to read and understand blueprints, drawings and plans and maintain simple written records.roboticsroboticsThe branch of engineering that involves the design, operation, manufacture, and application of robots. Robotics is part of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science and over...automation technologyautomation technologySet of technologies that make a process, system, or apparatus operate automatically through the use of control systems.manage suppliesmanage suppliesMonitor and control the flow of supplies that includes the purchase, storage and movement of the required quality of raw materials, and also work-in-progress inventory. Manage supply chain activities ...keep up with digital transformation of industrial processeskeep up with digital transformation of industrial processesKeep up to date with digital innovations applicable to industrial processes. Integrate these transformations in the company's processes aiming for competitive and profitable business models.gather technical informationgather technical informationApply systematic research methods and communicate with relevant parties in order to find specific information and evaluate research results to assess the information's relevance, relating technical sy...automotive engineeringautomotive engineeringThe discipline of engineering that combines mechanical, electrical, electronic, software and safety engineering to design motor vehicles such as trucks, vans and automobiles.manage the operation of propulsion plant machinerymanage the operation of propulsion plant machineryManage the operative mechanism of the marine diesel engines, steam turbines, gas turbines, and steam boilers.repair enginesrepair enginesRepair identified problems with internal combustion engines, external combustion engines and electrical motors. Replace and fix faulty parts by using hand and machine tools.design a domotic system in buildingsdesign a domotic system in buildingsDesign a complete domotic system for buildings, taking into account every chosen component. Make a weighting and balancing between which components and systems should be included in domotics and which...perform data analysisperform data analysisCollect data and statistics to test and evaluate in order to generate assertions and pattern predictions, with the aim of discovering useful information in a decision-making process.maintain electrical equipmentmaintain electrical equipmentTest electrical equipment for malfunctions. Take safety measures, company guidelines, and legislation concerning electrical equipment into account. Clean, repair and replace parts and connections as r...install mechatronic equipmentinstall mechatronic equipmentInstall equipment used for the automation of a specific machine or device.inspect engine roomsinspect engine roomsInspect engine rooms to detect the presence of any hazardous materials, and to ensure legal compliance. Inspect the construction of the rooms, the functionality of equipment, the adequacy of room vent...create a product's virtual modelcreate a product's virtual modelCreate a mathematical or three-dimensional computer graphic model of the product by using a CAE system or a calculator.determine production capacitydetermine production capacityDetermine how many parts or tools can be manufactured by one machine during one production cycle.read standard blueprintsread standard blueprintsRead and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.calibrate mechatronic instrumentscalibrate mechatronic instrumentsCorrect and adjust the reliability of an mechatronic instrument by measuring output and comparing results with the data of a reference device or a set of standardised results. This is done in regular ...test mechatronic unitstest mechatronic unitsTest mechatronic units using appropriate equipment. Gather and analyse data. Monitor and evaluate system performance and take action if needed.maintain robotic equipmentmaintain robotic equipmentDiagnose and detect malfunctions in robotic components and systems and remove, replace, or repair these components when necessary. Execute preventative equipment maintenance tasks, such as storing rob...install automation componentsinstall automation componentsInstall the automation components according to the specifications of the circuit diagram.advise on machinery malfunctionsadvise on machinery malfunctionsOffer advice to service technicians in case of machinery malfunctions and other technical repair tasks.re-assemble enginesre-assemble enginesRe-assemble transport equipment engines after overhaul, inspection, repair, maintenace or cleaning according to blueprints and technical plans.simulate mechatronic design conceptssimulate mechatronic design conceptsSimulate mechatronic design concepts through creating mechanical models and performing tolerance analysis.develop mechatronic test proceduresdevelop mechatronic test proceduresDevelop testing protocols to enable a variety of analyses of mechatronic systems, products, and components.read engineering drawingsread engineering drawingsRead the technical drawings of a product made by the engineer in order to suggest improvements, make models of the product or operate it.operate precision machineryoperate precision machineryOperate machinery used for the making of small systems or components with a high level of precision.set up the controller of a machineset up the controller of a machineSet up and give commands to a machine by dispatching the appropriate data and input into the (computer) controller corresponding with the desired processed product.disassemble enginesdisassemble enginesDisassemble internal combustion engines, generators, pumps, transmissions and other components of mechanical equipment.prepare production prototypesprepare production prototypesPrepare early models or prototypes in order to test concepts and replicability possibilities. Create prototypes to assess for pre-production tests.assess financial viabilityassess financial viabilityRevise and analyse financial information and requirements of projects such as their budget appraisal, expected turnover, and risk assessment for determining the benefits and costs of the project. Asse...set up automotive robotset up automotive robotSet up and programme an automotive robot working on machine processes and substituting or collaboratively supporting human labour, such as the six-axis automotive robot.instruct on energy saving technologiesinstruct on energy saving technologiesInstruct the facility manager or similar figures on monitoring parameters, to guarantee that the system achieves the designed energy saving goals.evaluate engine performanceevaluate engine performanceRead and comprehend engineering manuals and publications; test engines in order to evaluate engine performance.build machinesbuild machinesDesign and construct machines and installations for manufacturing purposes.operate ship propulsion systemoperate ship propulsion systemPerform start-up and subsequent observation of the working parameters of the ship's propulsion system. Check the operating parameters of electric generators in the switchboard, power sources and elect...design automation componentsdesign automation componentsDesign engineering parts, assemblies, products, or systems that contribute to the automation of industrial machines.