Mechanical Engineers

• Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, or maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems or processes to meet requirements.
• Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.
• Develop, coordinate, or monitor all aspects of production, including selection of manufacturing methods, fabrication, or operation of product designs.
• Investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and recommend remedial actions.
• Develop or test models of alternate designs or processing methods to assess feasibility, sustainability, operating condition effects, potential new applications, or necessity of modification.
• Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design, performance specifications, or environmental regulations.
• Recommend design modifications to eliminate machine or system malfunctions.
• Assist drafters in developing the structural design of products, using drafting tools or computer-assisted drafting equipment or software.
• Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, or repair to ensure that machines or equipment are installed and functioning according to specifications.
• Conduct research that tests or analyzes the feasibility, design, operation, or performance of equipment, components, or systems.
• Design test control apparatus or equipment or develop procedures for testing products.
• Provide feedback to design engineers on customer problems or needs.
• Research and analyze customer design proposals, specifications, manuals, or other data to evaluate the feasibility, cost, or maintenance requirements of designs or applications.
• Estimate costs or submit bids for engineering, construction, or extraction projects.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Mechanical Engineers.

• Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
• Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
• Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Mechanical Engineers.