OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
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Mechanical engineers are well-rounded, creative individuals who work on all kinds of mechanical, environmental, and materials-, fluids-, and heat-related problems. Mechanical engineers will apply innovative problem-solving skills to a host of human endeavors, including (but certainly not limited to) energy conversion, health sciences, aerospace, transportation, and manufacturing. In fact, almost every type of industry employs mechanical engineers.
Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. May conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture. May recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques.
Develop, create, and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions. Design software or customize software for client use with the aim of optimizing operational efficiency. May analyze and design databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team. May supervise computer programmers.
Develop new or improved designs for vehicle structural members, engines, transmissions, or other vehicle systems, using computer-assisted design technology. Direct building, modification, or testing of vehicle or components.
Apply knowledge of engineering, biology, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological and health systems and products, such as artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and health management and care delivery systems.
Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.
Design, develop, or evaluate energy-related projects or programs to reduce energy costs or improve energy efficiency during the designing, building, or remodeling stages of construction. May specialize in electrical systems; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems; green buildings; lighting; air quality; or energy procurement.
Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.
Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems.
Design, integrate, or improve manufacturing systems or related processes. May work with commercial or industrial designers to refine product designs to increase producibility and decrease costs.
Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.
Conduct research on nuclear engineering projects or apply principles and theory of nuclear science to problems concerned with release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal.
Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.
Research, design, develop, or test robotic applications.
Build, install, test, or maintain robotic equipment or related automated production systems.
Repair automobiles, trucks, buses, and other vehicles. Master mechanics repair virtually any part on the vehicle or specialize in the transmission system.
Assist engineers in determining the practicality of proposed product design changes and plan and carry out tests on experimental test devices or equipment for performance, durability, or efficiency.
Repair only one system or component on a vehicle, such as brakes, suspension, or radiator.
| Position Title | Projected Growth (2014-2024) | Preparation Required | 2015 Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
Aerospace Engineers
Position Description:Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. May conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture. May recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques.
Projected Growth:
Decline (-2% or lower)
Median Pay:
$110,570 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Decline (-2% or lower) | Job Zone 4 | $110,570 per year |
Automotive Engineering Technicians
Position Description:Assist engineers in determining the practicality of proposed product design changes and plan and carry out tests on experimental test devices or equipment for performance, durability, or efficiency.
Projected Growth:
Little or no change (-1% to 1%)
Median Pay:
$56,390 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 3
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Little or no change (-1% to 1%) | Job Zone 3 | $56,390 per year |
Automotive Engineers
Position Description:Develop new or improved designs for vehicle structural members, engines, transmissions, or other vehicle systems, using computer-assisted design technology. Direct building, modification, or testing of vehicle or components.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$88,190 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 4 | $88,190 per year |
Automotive Master Mechanics
Position Description:Repair automobiles, trucks, buses, and other vehicles. Master mechanics repair virtually any part on the vehicle or specialize in the transmission system.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$40,720 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 3
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 3 | $40,720 per year |
Automotive Specialty Technicians
Position Description:Repair only one system or component on a vehicle, such as brakes, suspension, or radiator.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$40,720 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 3
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 3 | $40,720 per year |
Biomass Power Plant Managers
Position Description:Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.
Projected Growth:
Decline (-2% or lower)
Median Pay:
$103,720 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Decline (-2% or lower) | Job Zone 4 | $103,720 per year |
Biomedical Engineers
Position Description:Apply knowledge of engineering, biology, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological and health systems and products, such as artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and health management and care delivery systems.
Projected Growth:
Much faster than average (14% or higher)
Median Pay:
$91,230 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Much faster than average (14% or higher) | Job Zone 4 | $91,230 per year |
Chemical Engineers
Position Description:Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.
Projected Growth:
Slower than average (2% to 4%)
Median Pay:
$103,960 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Slower than average (2% to 4%) | Job Zone 4 | $103,960 per year |
Energy Engineers
Position Description:Design, develop, or evaluate energy-related projects or programs to reduce energy costs or improve energy efficiency during the designing, building, or remodeling stages of construction. May specialize in electrical systems; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems; green buildings; lighting; air quality; or energy procurement.
Projected Growth:
Slower than average (2% to 4%)
Median Pay:
$98,150 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Slower than average (2% to 4%) | Job Zone 4 | $98,150 per year |
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Position Description:Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems.
Projected Growth:
Much faster than average (14% or higher)
Median Pay:
$51,470 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 3
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Much faster than average (14% or higher) | Job Zone 3 | $51,470 per year |
Maintenance Workers, Machinery
Position Description:Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.
Projected Growth:
Much faster than average (14% or higher)
Median Pay:
$44,540 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 3
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Much faster than average (14% or higher) | Job Zone 3 | $44,540 per year |
Manufacturing Engineers
Position Description:Design, integrate, or improve manufacturing systems or related processes. May work with commercial or industrial designers to refine product designs to increase producibility and decrease costs.
Projected Growth:
Slower than average (2% to 4%)
Median Pay:
$98,150 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Slower than average (2% to 4%) | Job Zone 4 | $98,150 per year |
Mechanical Engineers
Position Description:Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$88,190 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 4 | $88,190 per year |
Nuclear Engineers
Position Description:Conduct research on nuclear engineering projects or apply principles and theory of nuclear science to problems concerned with release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal.
Projected Growth:
Decline (-2% or lower)
Median Pay:
$106,060 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Decline (-2% or lower) | Job Zone 4 | $106,060 per year |
Robotics Engineers
Position Description:Research, design, develop, or test robotic applications.
Projected Growth:
Slower than average (2% to 4%)
Median Pay:
$98,150 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Slower than average (2% to 4%) | Job Zone 4 | $98,150 per year |
Robotics Technicians
Position Description:Build, install, test, or maintain robotic equipment or related automated production systems.
Projected Growth:
Little or no change (-1% to 1%)
Median Pay:
$56,320 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 3
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Little or no change (-1% to 1%) | Job Zone 3 | $56,320 per year |
Software Developers, Applications
Position Description:Develop, create, and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions. Design software or customize software for client use with the aim of optimizing operational efficiency. May analyze and design databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team. May supervise computer programmers.
Projected Growth:
Much faster than average (14% or higher)
Median Pay:
$102,160 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Much faster than average (14% or higher) | Job Zone 4 | $102,160 per year |
Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. May conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture. May recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques.
Develop, create, and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions. Design software or customize software for client use with the aim of optimizing operational efficiency. May analyze and design databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team. May supervise computer programmers.
Develop new or improved designs for vehicle structural members, engines, transmissions, or other vehicle systems, using computer-assisted design technology. Direct building, modification, or testing of vehicle or components.
Apply knowledge of engineering, biology, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological and health systems and products, such as artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and health management and care delivery systems.
Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.
Design, develop, or evaluate energy-related projects or programs to reduce energy costs or improve energy efficiency during the designing, building, or remodeling stages of construction. May specialize in electrical systems; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems; green buildings; lighting; air quality; or energy procurement.
Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.
Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems.
Design, integrate, or improve manufacturing systems or related processes. May work with commercial or industrial designers to refine product designs to increase producibility and decrease costs.
Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.
Conduct research on nuclear engineering projects or apply principles and theory of nuclear science to problems concerned with release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal.
Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.
Research, design, develop, or test robotic applications.
Build, install, test, or maintain robotic equipment or related automated production systems.
Repair automobiles, trucks, buses, and other vehicles. Master mechanics repair virtually any part on the vehicle or specialize in the transmission system.
Assist engineers in determining the practicality of proposed product design changes and plan and carry out tests on experimental test devices or equipment for performance, durability, or efficiency.
Repair only one system or component on a vehicle, such as brakes, suspension, or radiator.
Explore career information and other resources specifically tailored to Mechanical Engineering majors.
Career Development Center
A110 Kerr Admin Building, Corvallis, OR 97331
541-737-4085 • Contact Us
Hours: Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.