If you are interested in developing new forms of energy production, then check out mechanical engineering! Mechanical engineers work in a variety of industries including aerospace, automotive, biotechnology and manufacturing. This is a very broad field of engineering.
Mechanical engineers make a median salary of $88,430 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. They work on teams responsible for designing, developing, and manufacturing a variety of products, like wind turbines, aerospace craft, power plants, drones, and factories, to name a few.
Mechanical engineers typically work on teams with other engineers to innovate their designs and strategically determine the best approach to turning the idea into reality. Mechanical engineering is a very broad field. Like other types of engineers, mechanical engineers use computers heavily in their day-to-day work of testing, designing and integrating objects.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree
Average Salary
$65k-$85k
Integration engineers are responsible for creating solutions for organizations which could include developing software, hardware, or machinery. They also work on planning, designing, and implementing the integration process. Some tasks that may be included are documenting the process and communicating with the client about their needs. To become an integration engineer, a person needs a bachelor's degree or higher and sometimes experience is also required.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree
Average Salary
$58k-$95k
Data center mechanical engineers help select, design, redesign, and migrate sites and facilities for a data center. They will work to find more efficient ways to do things, find improvements, and communicate recommendations to other team members. To become a data center mechanical engineer, a person needs a bachelor's degree, and some jobs also require previous experience.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's Degree and Licensing
Average Salary
$63k-$78k
An automotive engineer uses software programs and other machine tools to design and test brake systems, engines, fuel technologies, and transmissions for vehicles. They can also create and implement new technology that can be purchased by dealerships of customers. A bachelor's degree or higher is needed to become an automotive engineer along with proper licensing.
Education Requirements
Law School - Bachelor's or Master's degree; licensing
Average Salary
$75k- $130k
A patent lawyer helps inventors obtain a patent for their ideas by examining the invention, going through the patent application, and looking at scientific documents. They also may create a defense or enforcement of existing patents when necessary. A patent lawyer must attend law school to earn their JD (Juris Doctor) which may be at the bachelor's or master's level. Then, they will need to pass the state bar exam for licensing and may go on to get a USPTO license to be able to argue before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree
Average Salary
$60k-$78k
A mechanical designer creates and designs drawings for mechanical devices and equipment, manufacturing systems and processes, and works with various machines. Some of their tasks may include preparing calculations on machines, sketching designs, using feedback to make changes to existing machines, and supporting during the building and installation process. To become a mechanical designer, a person needs a bachelor's degree.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's Degree
Average Salary
462k-$85k
A mechanical engineer uses technology to install, troubleshoot, and repair certain types of equipment. They also try to find the most cost-efficient way to keep up maintenance and improve the performance of machines. To become a mechanical engineer, a person will need at least a bachelor's degree.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's or Master's Degree
Average Salary
$79k-$110k
A robotics engineer focuses on building machines that do human jobs, typically ones that are hazardous or unhealthy. This includes machines that work in areas like mining, manufacturing, and automotive services, and the engineer tests them and finds the most effective war to manufacture them. To become a robotics engineer, a person needs at least a bachelor's degree and sometimes a master's degree.
Career salary data provided by: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook handbook and O*NET OnLine.
