Careers in Mechanical Engineering

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Real-world. Meet really prepared.

Almost every type of industry employs mechanical engineers including agricultural and heavy equipment, biotechnology, biomedical, aerospace, computer and electronics, consulting, energy and power, manufacturing, product design, transportation, and more.

As a mechanical engineer, you’ll help create improvements in technological problems that ultimately make life better by applying principles of motion, energy, and force. You’ll have opportunities to stay active working in cutting-edge research, development, design, testing, production, technical sales, technical management, as well as applications to medicine, agriculture, clean energy, law, and business. Because of your personal creativity, curiosity, breadth of knowledge, and versatility you’ll function and thrive as a valuable member and leader of multidisciplinary teams.

Check out the Career Cornerstone Center, an online resource that explores ME career planning resources.

Industries hiring mechanical engineers

Companies

Relevant courses

  • ME 4130: Fluid Power Engineering
  • EM 4250: Introduction to the Finite Element Method
  • TSM 3350: Tractor Power
  • Other relevant courses can be found on Technical Elective list under “Agricultural Engineering.”

Companies

Relevant Courses

  • Chem 3310: Organic Chemistry I and Chem 3310L: Laboratory for Organic Chemistry I
  • Chem 3320: Organic Chemistry II and Chem 3320L: Laboratory for Organic Chemistry II
  • Other relevant courses can be found under courses for a minor in Non-Destructive Evaluation

Companies

Relevant Courses

  • ME 4150: Mechanical Systems Design
  • ME 4170: Advanced Machine Design
  • ME 4190: Computer-Aided Design
  • ME 4750: Modeling and Simulation
  • ME 6250: Surface Modeling
  • EM 4250: Introduction to the Finite Element Method

Companies

Relevant Courses

  • ME 4490: Internal Combustion Engines
  • EM 4250: Introduction to the Finite Element Method
  • TSM 3350: Tractor Power

Companies

Relevant Courses

  • ConE 3800: Engineering Law
  • ME 4120: Ethical Responsibilities of a Practicing Engineer
  • ME 4410: Fundamentals of Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning
  • ME 4420: Heating and Air Conditioning Design

Companies

Relevant Courses

  • ME 4110: Automatic Controls
  • ME 4130: Fluid Power Engineering
  • ME 5110: Advanced Control Design
  • ME 5740: Optimal Control
  • ME 5750: Introduction to Robust Control
  • EE 4750: Automatic Control Systems

Companies

Relevant Courses

  • ME 4330: Alternative Energy
  • ME 4440: Elements and Performance of Power Plants
  • ME 4750: Modeling and Simulation
  • ME 4840: Technology, Globalization and Culture
  • ME 5300: Advanced Thermodynamics

Companies

Relevant Courses

  • ME 4330: Alternative Energy
  • ME 4840: Technology, Globalization and Culture
  • ConE 3800: Engineering Law
  • Any 3000-4000 level Environmental Science (EnSci) courses

Military and Defense Companies

Public Policy Companies

Relevant Courses

  • ME 4840: Technology, Globalization and Culture
  • ConE 3800: Engineering Law

Companies

Relevant Courses

  • ME 4410: Fundamentals of Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning
  • ME 4420: Heating and Air Conditioning Design
  • ME 4120: Ethical Responsibilities of a Practicing Engineer
  • Con E 3800: Engineering Law

Companies

Relevant Courses

  • ME 4180: Mechanical Considerations in Robotics
  • ME 4660: Multidisciplinary Engineering Design
  • ME 5200: Material and Manufacturing Considerations in Design
  • ME 5210: Mechanical Behavior and Manufacturing of Polymers and Composites
  • ME 5280: Micro/Nanomanufacturing
  • EM 3620: Principles of Nondestructive Testing
  • EM 3620L: Nondestructive Testing Laboratory
  • IE 3480: Solidification Processes
  • IE 3610: Statistical Quality Assurance
  • IE 4190: Computer-Aided Design
  • IE 4480: Manufacturing Systems Engineering
  • IE 5450X: Additive Manufacturing and Rapid Production Methods

Companies

Relevant Courses

  • ME 4100: Mechanical Engineering Applications of Mechatronics
  • ME 4110: Automatic Controls
  • ME 4180: Mechanical Considerations in Robotics
  • ME 5110: Advanced Control Design
  • TSM 4650: Automation Systems

Companies

Relevant Courses

  • ME 5280: Micro/Nanomanufacturing

Companies

Relevant Courses

  • IE 3050: Engineering Economic Analysis
  • OSCM 3200: Business Process Management

Aircraft Companies

Automotive Companies

Motorcycles/Recreation Vehicle Companies

Railroad Companies

Relevant Courses for the Transportation Areas Above

  • ME 4170: Advanced Machine Design
  • ME 4490: Internal Combustion Engines
  • EM 4250: Introduction to the Finite Element Method
  • TSM 3350: Tractor Power
  • Any courses for a minor in Non-Destructive Evaluation
  • Other relevant courses for Aircraft can be found at the Tech Elective lists

Other Relevant Courses

  • ME 4170: Advanced Machine Design
  • ME 4490: Internal Combustion Engines
  • EM 4250: Introduction to the Finite Element Method
  • TSM 3350: Tractor Power
  • Any courses for a minor in Non-Destructive Evaluation
  • Other relevant courses for Aircraft can be found on the Tech Elective lists