Also called: Design Engineer, Project Engineer
Designs, builds and tests machines and mechanical systems, from engines to coffee makers.
You spend the morning in CAD software designing a bracket, then walk to the shop to see the first prototype come off the machine. It doesn't fit, so you measure, tweak the drawing and send a new version. Afternoon is a meeting with suppliers about cost and a test run that you watch with a stopwatch and clipboard.
BLS May 2024 OEWS.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in mechanical engineering (ABET-accredited); PE license helps for senior roles.
Ways in: 4-year college. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology.
Growing much faster than average (about 9% over 10 years). BLS 2024-34 projection.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI drafts CAD geometry, runs quick stress checks and writes reports, trimming junior design tasks; prototyping, testing and accountability stay human.
Classes: Physics, AP Calculus, CAD or engineering design CTE, Shop class.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2141.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.