|
Electrical Engineer |
Mechanical Engineer |
Computer Hardware Engineer |
| Nature of Work |
Design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of electrical equipment. |
Research, design, develop, manufacture, and test tools, engines, machines, and other mechanical devices. |
Research, design, develop, test, and oversee the manufacture and installation of computer hardware |
| Employment(out of 1.6 million jobs in 2008) |
157,800 |
238,700 |
74,700 |
| Employment change and job outlook |
Expected to have employment growth of 2 percent over the projections decade. |
Expected to have employment growth of 6 percent over the projections decade, slower than the average for all occupations. |
Expected to have employment growth of 4 percent over the projections decade, slower than the average for all occupations. |
Projected
Employment, 2018 |
160,500 |
253,100 |
77,500 |
Work environment. Most engineers work in office buildings, laboratories, or industrial plants. Others may spend time outdoors at construction sites and oil and gas exploration and production sites, where they monitor or direct operations or solve onsite problems. Some engineers travel extensively to plants or worksites here and abroad.
Many engineers work a standard 40-hour week. At times, deadlines or design standards may bring extra pressure to a job, requiring engineers to work longer hours.
I do some researches in the Internet and organize them as follow:
Mechanical engineers research, design, develop, manufacture, and test tools, engines, machines, and other mechanical devices. Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. Engineers in this discipline work on power-producing machines such as electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines. They also work on power-using machines such as refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, machine tools, material-handling systems, elevators and escalators, industrial production equipment, and robots used in manufacturing. Some mechanical engineers design tools that other engineers need for their work. In addition, mechanical engineers work in manufacturing or agriculture production, maintenance, or technical sales; many become administrators or managers.
Work Environment for Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineers are employed in virtually every industry, with most working for
manufacturing firms. Although some engineers spend most of their time in temperature controlled, comfortable offices, many jobs require working part of the time in a plant, testing laboratory, machine shop, or installation site. Work schedules are generally 40 hours per week, although occasional project deadlines will require engineers to work overtime. Mechanical Engineers also travel to professional conferences and training sessions to keep abreast of recent advances in the field. Many belong to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers or the National Society of Professional Engineers.
Tasks
1) Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, and computer-generated reports.
2) Confer with engineers and other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, and provide technical information.
3) Research and analyze customer design proposals, specifications, manuals, and other data to evaluate the feasibility, cost, and maintenance requirements of designs or applications.
4) Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design and performance specifications.
5) Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, and maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems, and processes to meet requirements, applying knowledge of engineering principles.
6) Investigate equipment failures and difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and to make recommendations to maintenance crew.
7) Assist drafters in developing the structural design of products, using drafting tools or computer-assisted design/drafting equipment and software.
8) Provide feedback to design engineers on customer problems and needs.
9) Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair to ensure that machines and equipment are installed and functioning according to specifications.
10) Conduct research that tests and analyzes the feasibility, design, operation, and performance of equipment, components, and systems.
Important Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
1) Mathematics — Using mathematics to solve problems.
2) Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
3) Critical thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
4) Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
5) Science — Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
6) 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.
7) Engineering and Technology — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
8) Mechanical — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
9) Design — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principals involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
10) Production and Processing — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
11) Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
12) Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
13) Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand
14) Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
15) Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
16) Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations)
sources from: http://www.calmis.ca.gov/file/Manuf/Mfg-Mechanical-Engineers.pdf
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos027.htm
all the contents are reorganized by Weiting
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos027.htm
