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Mechanical engineer

  • Hours

    37 to 40 per week

  • Starting salary

    £19,500 + per year

If you are technically-minded, good at solving problems and want a professional role in engineering, this job could be ideal for you.

As a mechanical engineer you would design and specify mechanical machinery, components and tools. You could also be in charge of the technicians that will install and maintain the machinery and components. You might work in a range of industries, for example manufacturing, construction, power, medicine and health, transport and sports.

In this job you need to be good at communicating and giving presentations. You will also need to be creative and come up with new ideas.

To work as a mechanical engineer you will need a foundation degree, BTEC HNC/HND or degree in mechanical engineering, or a related engineering subject.



The work

Your work would be divided into three key areas:

  • research and development – assessing new products and innovations, and building prototypes
  • design – turning research into technical plans using computer aided design/modelling (CAD/CAM) programs
  • production – improving processes, and overseeing the installation of machinery and parts.

You could be working on large scale projects, for instance developing new ways to harness wave and tidal power; or at the small scale or micromechanical level, for example making prosthetic implants to help people become more mobile.


Hours

You would normally work 37 to 40 hours a week, although this could increase depending on projects and deadlines.

Your working environment could vary from quiet, modern, open-plan offices to factory production areas and outdoor sites. Depending on the contract, you may have to travel abroad at times.


Income

  • Starting salaries can be between £19,500 and £22,000 a year
  • Experienced mechanical engineers can earn between £26,000 and £39,000
  • Engineers with chartered status can earn over £40,000 a year.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.


Entry requirements

To work as a mechanical engineer you will need a foundation degree, BTEC HNC/HND or degree in mechanical engineering, or a related engineering subject.

To search for foundation degrees, HNDs and degrees, see the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website.

For a degree course you will usually need at least five GCSEs (grades A-C) and two or three A levels, possibly including maths and physics. Other science subjects such as biology would be useful for medical engineering. Check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements, as alternative qualifications may be accepted.

Some courses, such as sandwich degrees, include a year in industry which may be useful when you start applying for work. Alternatively you could organise your own work placement with a relevant company.

You may also be able to get into this career starting off as an mechanical engineering technician apprentice with a manufacturer or engineering company and then after your Apprenticeship going on to higher education qualifications.

The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the skills employers need from their workers. For more information, visit the Apprenticeships website.

To get on to an Apprenticeship, you are likely to need four or five GCSEs (A-C), including maths, English and a science subject.

For more information about careers in engineering, see the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and SEMTA websites.

For more general information about engineering as a career, see the Tomorrow’s Engineers website.


Training and development

You would usually train on the job. If you have a degree, you may get a place on a graduate apprenticeship scheme. Vacancies are advertised in the local and national press.

You would be expected to continue to develop your skills and knowledge throughout your career. It may help your prospects if you work towards incorporated or chartered status. To do this, you would register with your professional body and apply to the Engineering Council. For example, The Institution of Mechanical Engineers operates the Monitored Professional Development Scheme (MPDS), which leads to chartered status.

As an incorporated engineer, you would specialise in the day-to-day management of engineering operations. At chartered level, you would have a more strategic role, planning, researching and developing new ideas, and streamlining management methods.

For more general information about gaining chartered or incorporated status, see the Engineering Council website.


Skills and knowledge

To be a mechanical engineer you should have:

  • excellent communication and presentation skills
  • good problem-solving skills and a creative approach for new ideas
  • excellent technical knowledge
  • good team working skills
  • the ability to prioritise and plan effectively
  • a high level of IT skill, particularly computer-aided design
  • good commercial awareness
  • the ability to work under pressure and to deadlines.

More information

SEMTA (Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies in the UK) (Opens new window)
14 Upton Road
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0JT
Tel: 0845 643 9001
www.semta.org.uk

Women into Science, Engineering and Construction (Opens new window)
UK Resource Centre
Athlone Wing
Old Building
Great Horton Road
Bradford
BD7 1AY
Tel: 01274 436485
www.theukrc.org/wise

Institution of Mechanical Engineers (Opens new window)
1 Birdcage Walk
Westminster
London
SW1H 9JJ
Tel: 020 7222 7899
www.imeche.org

Engineering Training Council (Northern Ireland) (Opens new window)
Interpoint
20-24 York Street
Belfast
BT15 1AQ
Tel: 028 9032 9878
www.etcni.org.uk

Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) (Opens new window)
Michael Faraday House
Stevenage
Hertfordshire
SG1 2AY
Tel: 01438 313 311
www.theiet.org

Tomorrow's Engineers (Opens new window)
EngineeringUK
Weston House
246 High Holborn
London
WC1V 7EX
Email: careers@engineeringuk.com
Tel: 020 3206 0400
www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk


Opportunities

You could find work with local and central government, the armed services, manufacturers in all industries, research and development companies and public utilities.

You may have the chance to work overseas with British consulting or contracting engineers firms working for foreign governments, and with international oil and mining companies.

With experience, you could move into project management, specialist research or consultancy. With chartered status, you could become involved in strategic development in a particular sector, such as rail transport policy.

You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (Opens in a new window) there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.


Related industry information

Industry summary

The automotive manufacturing industry is part of the engineering manufacturing, science and mathematics sector, represented by Semta Sector Skills Council. This sector also includes the following industries: electronics and electrical equipment manufacture; mechanical equipment manufacture; metals; transport equipment manufacture, including marine and aerospace; and science. Across the sector as a whole, the workforce comprises approximately 2 million people, working across around 75,000 companies. UK engineering and science turnover is over £250 billion. British engineering exports amount to 37% of total UK exports of goods and services. The UK is Europe’s top location for investment in pharmaceutical and biotechnology research and development.

The UK automotive manufacturing industry covers a range of companies involved in manufacturing of:

  • whole vehicles (such as cars, commercial vehicles, buses and coaches)
  • bodies (coachwork) for motor vehicles
  • engines and components (such as exhausts, wheels, gear boxes, safety belts and airbags).

It also includes companies involved in the manufacture of trailers, motor sport related vehicles, fire engines, buses, coaches, vans and lorries.

Key facts:

  • There are an estimated 154,400 people employed in the automotive manufacturing industry, across 3,220 workplaces in Great Britain.
  • The UK is a source of manufacturing sites for a number of well known international car manufacturers.
  • 96% of the workforce is full-time.
  • In engineering, an estimated 6% of the workforce is self-employed.

Jobs in the industry range from: manufacturing production manager, design engineer, electronics engineer, mechanical engineer, production engineer, quality control inspector, engineering maintenance technician, laboratory technician, engineering craft machinist, fitter, sheet metal worker, welder, assembler, motor vehicle manufacturing operative, labourers in process and plant operations.


National and regional data

The greatest concentrations of employment in the automotive industry within the UK are in the West Midlands and the North West of England.

East Midlands – There are an estimated 13,300 employees in the regional workforce, in around 340 companies. There is a total requirement of 2,400 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: Materials Requirement Planning (MRP11); assembly line/production robotics; and welding skills. 27% of the workforce is employed as assemblers. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Derby City, Leicester City, South Derbyshire, Charnwood, Hinckley and Bosworth and Ashfield.

East of England – There are an estimated 13,300 employees in the regional workforce, in around 380 companies. There is a total requirement of 3,880 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: Materials Requirement Planning (MRP11); CNC machine operation; and coach building. 27% of the workforce is employed as assemblers. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Peterborough, Huntingdonshire, South Cambridgeshire, Luton and Basildon.

London – There are an estimated 5,800 employees in the regional workforce, in around 160 companies. There is a total requirement of 1,130 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include general machining. 26% of the workforce is employed as assemblers. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Barking and Dagenham, Hillingdon, Ealing and Hounslow.

North East – There are an estimated 12,100 employees in the regional workforce, in just over 100 companies. There is a total requirement of 2,560 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: Computer Aided Engineering (CAE); and welding skills. 49% of the workforce is employed as assemblers. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, Sunderland and Sedgefield.

North West – There are an estimated 18,100 employees in the regional workforce, in just over 370 companies. There is a total requirement of 5,020 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: general engineering skills; and coach building. 38% of the workforce is employed as assemblers. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Fylde, Knowsley, Crewe and Nantwich, Stockport, Oldham and Preston.

South East – There are an estimated 12,500 employees in the regional workforce, in just over 410 companies. There is a total requirement of 830 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: CNC machine operation. 23% of the workforce is employed as assemblers. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around West Berkshire, Basingstoke and Deane, Milton Keynes, Eastleigh, Portsmouth, Crawley and Medway.

South West – There are an estimated 11,300 employees in the regional workforce, in just under 380 companies. There is a total requirement of 2,070 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: assembly line/ production robotics; craft skills; electronics; fabrication; mechanical fitters; and software engineering. 31% of the workforce is employed as assemblers. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Tewkesbury, Cheltenham, Stroud, South Gloucestershire, Bristol, Swindon, South Somerset, Poole and Plymouth.

West Midlands – There are an estimated 39,500 employees in the regional workforce, in just over 550 companies. There is a total requirement of 7,260 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: Materials Requirement Planning (MRP11); CNC machine operation; Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM); Computer Aided Engineering (CAE); tool setting; welding skills; and fabrication. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Birmingham, Sandwell, Walsall, Coventry, Dudley and Telford and Wrekin.

Yorkshire and the Humber – There are an estimated 12,900 employees in the regional workforce, in just over 310 companies. There is a total requirement of 2,900 employees needed in the region between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps in the region include: CNC machine operation; craft skills; and multi-skills. 32% of the workforce is employed as vehicle body builders and repairers. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Sheffield, Leeds, Bradford, Kirklees, Rotherham and Kingston upon Hull.

Northern Ireland – There are an estimated 3,400 employees in the regional workforce. There is a total requirement of 840 employees needed between 2005 and 2014. 46% of the workforce is employed as vehicle body builders and repairers. Skills gaps include: welding; CNC machine operations; mechanical engineering skills; metalworking; and electrical engineering skills.

Scotland – There are an estimated 3,600 employees in the regional workforce, in just over 110 companies. There is a total requirement of 260 employees needed between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps include: tool setting; and manufacturing. 27% of the workforce is employed as vehicle body builders and repairers. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around the City of Glasgow, Fife, South Lanarkshire, the City of Aberdeen, North Lanarkshire and West Lothian.

Wales – There are an estimated 12,100 employees in the regional workforce, in just under 190 companies. There is a total requirement of 2,610 employees needed between 2007 and 2014. Skills gaps include: Computer Aided Design (CAD). 32% of the workforce is employed as assemblers. Engineering employment is geographically concentrated around Flintshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Rhondda, Cynon and Taff, Bridgend and Wrexham.

[N.B. Data derived from Annual Business Inquiry, 2007, Census, 2001, and Northern Ireland Census of Employment, 2007.]


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