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Career Center for Science and Engineering


What Can I do with a major in Mechanical Engineering?

What Activities Could Mechanical Engineering Majors Do?

Mechanical engineers research, develop, design, manufacture, and test tools, engines, machines, and other mechanical devices. They work on power-producing machines such as electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines. They also develop power-using machines such as refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, machine tools, material handling systems, elevators and escalators, industrial production equipment, and robots used in manufacturing. Mechanical engineers design tools needed by other engineers for their work. The field of nanotechnology, which involves the creation of high-performance materials and components by integrating atoms and molecules, is introducing entirely new principles to the design process.

Mechanical engineers work in many industries, and their work varies by industry and function. Some specialties include applied mechanics; computer-aided design and manufacturing; energy systems; pressure vessels and piping; underwater technology; energy conversion; instrumentation; heating, refrigeration, and air-conditioning systems; as well as custom machinery for specific industries. Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers may work in production operations in manufacturing or agriculture, maintenance, or technical sales; many are administrators or managers.

What Industries Could I Explore as a Mechanical Engineering Major?

Aerospace Manufacturing Measurement Systems Railroads Petroleum
Electronics Manufacturing Government Agencies Cryogenics Telecommunications
Environmental Consulting Pumps and Fluid Systems Healthcare Industrial Equipment
Computer Technologies CAD Engineering Consulting R & D firms

What Employers Hire Mechanical Engineering Majors?

3M Applied Materials Bemis Flexible Packaging BF Goodrich
Allied Signal The Boeing Co. American Cast Iron Pipe Co. Cargill
Cummins Medtronic Donaldson Co. Cardinal Health
CIGNA General Motors Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Delphi Steering Systems
Lockheed Martin Dupont ExxonMobil Freightliner
Guidant HB Fuller Honeywell Micron Technology
Ecolab Eaton Rockwell Automation Ingersoll-Rand
IBM Lucent Texas Instruments General Electric

What Are Some Full-Time Job Titles For Mechanical Engineering Majors?

Automotive Engineer Consulting Engineer Quality Engineer Test Engineer
Field Engineer Refrigeration Engineer Plant Operation Engineer Mechanical Engineer
Safety Engineer Industrial Engineer Product Engineer HVAC Engineer

What Are Some Websites For Mechanical Engineering Majors?

Engineering Central www.engcen.com
Mechanical Engineering www.mechanicalengineeringcareer.com
Mechanical Engineer.com www.mechanicalengineer.com
Mechanical Engineering Magazine Online www.memagazine.org