One of the oldest and wide-ranging of engineering disciplines, mechanical engineering concerns the design, manufacture and maintenance of mechanical systems. Mechanical engineers apply the core principles of mechanics in order to design a wide range of machinery and equipment for transport systems, heating and cooling systems, aircraft, watercraft and the medical profession, to name just a few areas.
Meeting customer specifications, producing drawings and maintaining mechanical parts libraries are all the standard duties of a mechanical engineer. The role also calls for a problem-solving attitude, as part of the job requires engineers to provide technical support to the production department, as well as offer guidance to junior staff.
A Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering is often the minimum requirement for this kind of work. Graduates just starting out in the job can expect salaries of between C
$41,400 and C
$52,000, rising to C
$58,000 after five years’ experience. Earnings can approach C
$100,000 for those with over 20 years’ experience.