Mechanical Engineering Apprentice
Johannesburg
10 days ago

-

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QHES Manager - Mechanical Engineering - OEM - East Rand
East Rand
45 days ago

Salary: R800K - R900K

QHES Manager

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Lecturer/ Senior Lecturer: Mechanical Engineering
Gqeberha
46 days ago

Salary: Market related

- Facilitate learning and teaching programmes, processes, and objectives in line with the profession

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Lecturer/ Senior Lecturer: Mechanical Engineering
Gqeberha
53 days ago

Salary: Market related

- Facilitate learning and teaching programmes, processes, and objectives in line with the profession

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KZN - Sales Engineer - Packaging AUTOMATION (MUST HAVE completed Mechanical Engineering or Similar Degree) - KZN
Durban
89 days ago

Salary: Negotiable

KZN - Sales Engineer - Packaging AUTOMATION (MUST HAVE completed mechanical engineering or Similar Degree) - KZN My client, a global industry leader in the design & manufacture of end-of-line packaging automation equipment & solutions, is urgently seeking a Automation Sales Engineer for their KZN Branch

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Senior Process Engineer
Pietermaritzburg
Today

Salary: Negotiable Monthly

Opportunity Available!! Our leading client in the Automotive Sector is looking to employ a Senior Process Engineer to join their dynamic team in Pietermaritzburg.

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Mechanical Designer/Draughtsman
Pretoria
Today

mechanical Draughtsman/Designer required for an Avionic company in Wonderboom, Pretoria.  Degree/National Diploma (mechanical engineering) or Draughtsman certification.  Working experience in the aviation industry would be beneficial.

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Senior Electrical Engineer
Capetown
Today

Are you an experienced Senior Electrical Engineer looking to make a lasting impact in the renewable energy sector? Join a global team in Cape Town, working on cutting-edge projects that are shaping a sustainable future.

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Civil Technician
Paarl
Today

Our client is looking for a civil technician with a strong passion for infrastructure design. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with senior team members on municipal and township projects. It's an excellent chance to enhance your career by applying your expertise to meaningful infrastructure initiatives while collaborating with industry experts on impactful projects

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Civil Technician
Capetown
Today

Looking to advance your career and broaden your expertise? This opportunity offers the perfect environment to do so. Our client is seeking an experienced Civil Technician, where you'll receive valuable mentorship and hands-on involvement in challenging projects. This role will help you refine your skills and achieve your professional goals.

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The complete guide to Mechanical Engineering Jobs

 

A career in mechanical engineering can be financially successful, as well as satisfying and challenging.

A mechanical engineer can make a difference in a variety of different fields. The reason for this is that professions in mechanical engineering focus on developing technology that address human requirements. Mechanics have had a hand in almost everything we use to make life better for us all.

Mechanical engineers may develop a component, a machine, a system, or a process to suit this wide demand. Everything from enormous vehicles and spacecraft to tiny sensors and switches falls under this broad category.

Mechanical engineers are needed for anything that has moving components and hence must be made. A mechanical engineering education is adaptable since it prepares students for a wide range of problems and advances.

In this article, we explain what mechanical engineering is, and discuss the pathway to landing mechanical engineering jobs.

 

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What does a job as mechanical engineer entail?

Mechanical engineers equip businesses with the abilities that are necessary for them to compete successfully in global markets.

They make use of energy and raw resources in conjunction with machines and other systems in order to produce the goods and components upon which the economy is reliant.

Mechanical engineering is responsible for the creation of the vast majority of the movable man-made things that may be found all around you, including those found in factories and mines.

Engineers that specialize in mechanical design and construction develop machines that generate power by utilizing steam, gasoline, nuclear fuels, and other forms of energy.

They also design and construct a wide range of machinery that make use of power, such as automobiles, machine tools, industrial processing equipment, and heating and ventilation equipment.

They are involved in the creation of a machine at every stage, beginning with the construction of an experimental model and continuing through the installation of the finished machine and the training of the personnel who will operate it.

Because there is a constant demand for new forms of machinery, a significant number of mechanical engineers focus their efforts on research and development. The work of mechanical engineers is intertwined with that of nearly all other subfields of engineering.

What career opportunities are there for a mechanical engineer?

Mechanical engineering can be applied to a wide range of interesting and valuable career types, as discussed below.

Automotive engineering

Graduates who pursue a career as an automotive engineer have the opportunity to design and create the mechanical components and machines that are associated with automobiles, trains, and other forms of automated transportation.

Research and development, design, and production are all examples of tasks that may be part of their jobs. Engineers working in the automotive business have the potential to be on the cutting edge of revolutionary new designs and concepts about energy efficiency, speed, and comfort.

Construction engineering

When working on construction projects, construction engineers put their mechanical skills to use. They might service and maintain the machinery that a group is utilizing for a project, advise on the installation of heavy equipment, or help create system optimization initiatives that might aid in the building project. These are all examples of potential roles that they might play.

When working on projects involving the layout and design of commercial buildings, some construction companies even go so far as to recruit mechanical engineers as consultants.

Manufacturing engineer

Manufacturing engineers put the knowledge and skills they gained during their education to work in the manufacturing industry.

They concentrate on the design as well as the operation of integrated systems. Because of this, workers and the businesses for which they work have a better chance of producing high-quality goods that are also competitive in the market.

Nuclear engineering

The provision of technical assistance to nuclear power facilities is the responsibility of a nuclear engineer. As part of their job, they might be responsible for the design, construction, operation, or disassembly of machinery that is utilized with nuclear power.

Reactor operators, process engineers, quality engineers, C&I engineers, and managers are just some of the specific responsibilities that mechanical engineers might play in this industry.

Instrumentation engineering

These mechanical engineers, who are also known as C&I engineers, are responsible for the design, development, installation, management, and maintenance of the machinery that monitors and controls other types of machines and systems.

Engineers are responsible for ensuring that all of these processes are operating as effectively, safely, and dependably as they possibly can.

They might monitor and control process factors such as pressure, humidity, pH, flow, speed, temperature, and force. Other process variables they might measure and manage include flow and speed.

Aerospace engineering

In this industry, mechanical engineers frequently collaborate with their aerospace engineering counterparts. As such, they contribute to the manufacturing and maintenance of aircraft.

The technical expertise of mechanical engineers can assist in ensuring that designs are consistent with the requirements of airports and other manufacturing elements.

They could also be of assistance in programs related to national defence, such as the development of missiles or spacecraft.

R&D supervision

Supervisors in research and development are in charge of overseeing the processes involved in the design of new systems.

This may entail enhancing the technology that is already available, gauging the responses of potential customers to prototypes, or conducting research into new developments in the relevant field.

The education that mechanical engineers receive typically qualifies them for higher managerial jobs, particularly in cases when the individual possesses strong leadership abilities.

Maintenance engineering

Maintenance engineers are responsible for conducting diagnostic tests on various pieces of machinery and equipment to validate their operation.

Engineers who specialize in maintenance often find work in big manufacturing facilities, where they are responsible for the upkeep of complex machines and systems, such as those for heating and cooling, production equipment, and engines that are designed for nonstop operation.

They could perform maintenance on all of the machinery in a single factory as part of a team or on an individual basis.

How to get a mechanical engineer position

Beyond the confines of textbook applications, a mechanical engineer must be able to conceptualize and optimize technical solutions. When it comes to his co-workers, he needs to maintain a level of trust that they can rely on. Here, we provide the best tips for landing a mechanical engineering job.

Get a good grasp of how businesses work

Employers may be interested in hiring you if, in addition to your mechanical engineering-specific talents, you have a solid understanding of business fundamentals.

Engineering companies are eager to hire skilled engineers that have an understanding of how the impact of total production costs can be felt on the decisions that need to be made.

You might have an advantage over your competitors if you know how to read and interpret balance sheets and income statements.

Broaden your scope

In today's world, mechanical engineers are frequently entrusted with developing innovative solutions and designing new products, both of which need for abilities that go beyond those typically taught in mechanical engineering degrees.

It's possible that some of the design challenges you'll run into or the software you'll have to work with are outside of your area of expertise. The best engineering organizations advise their members to obtain training in fields other than mechanical engineering as well.

Grow your technical skills

As a mechanical engineer, you'll be using computers on a frequent basis; therefore, it makes sense to develop your skills in important fields of information technology and computer science.

If in the future you plan to work on integrating sensors into machinery or using technology to analyse designs or run simulations, having excellent abilities in technology will be especially helpful for you.

Consider a mentorship

When you are first starting out in a field, it can be beneficial to collaborate with someone who has more experience in that field than you do. This individual has the ability to direct you down the route of your career.

You can locate a mentor to guide you by asking the human resources department at your company or internship, joining engineering societies, or connecting with people through social media.

Brush up on your communication skills

Communication is essential, and employers search for applicants who are able to explain their designs and concepts to co-workers and customers who may not be familiar with the vocabulary or systems used in mechanical engineering.

Additionally, it is possible that you will be tasked with drafting reports; consequently, you will need to be skilled in written communication as well.

 You'll probably also require other abilities, such as outstanding organization, time management, the ability to solve problems, and meticulous attention to detail.

Set up a stellar CV or resume

Create a CV that emphasizes the abilities that are most pertinent to the specific engineering jobs that you are applying for. It is important to highlight relevant professional experiences as well as educational background.

Be sure to create a resume that is loaded with keywords and phrases that are specific to the industry. This will increase the likelihood that your resume will get through automated systems.

How to become a mechanical engineer

Ensure you start by choosing the best subjects in high school

Learners' final subject selections in either Grade 9 or Grade 10, depending on what the Department of Education recommends, may end up dictating the type of post-secondary education they are eligible for once they graduate from high school.

Learners run the risk of being unable to participate in some higher education or further education programs if they do not choose the appropriate combination of topics throughout their secondary school years.

Learners must think about the opportunities that will be available to them once they have completed their education and make their decision for this crucial topic appropriately.

Get the relevant engineering degree

Students need to have at least a bachelor's degree in order to qualify for an entry-level career in the field of mechanical engineering. Candidates who have a bachelor's degree in the relevant profession are more desirable to potential employers.

Completing a BEng degree in Mechanical Engineering not only helps pave the way for your profession, but it also provides academic credits that can be transferred and applied toward the completion of a bachelor's degree at a later time.

Gain the necessary experience

When students are in their fourth year of completing their bachelor's degree, they have the opportunity to build their professional experience. They will have acquired the knowledge and abilities necessary to carry out the activity or project at hand.

Students will be able to acquire the hands-on experience that is necessary for them to be successful in the career field of mechanical engineering if they participate in an internship or apprenticeship program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is mechanical engineering a good career?

Yes, the future of mechanical engineering is looking quite promising. It ensures that mechanical engineers will have access to the occupations with the best salaries. When it comes to finding work, mechanical engineers have options in both the public sector and the private sector.

What are the four main branches of mechanical engineering?

The four main branches of mechanical engineering consist of:

  • Manufacturing
  • Mechanical Design
  • System Dynamics and Control
  • Transportation systems

Are mechanical engineers in demand?

Yes, mechanical engineering remains heavily in demand and there are several occupational fields in which mechanical engineers are required. Looking forward, mechanical engineers will also be in greater demand in the field of green technology as the world looks towards developing more sustainable technological solutions.

Which is the best field in mechanical engineering?

There are several important fields in engineering, the most popular of which include:

  • Automotive engineering
  • Manufacturing engineering
  • Nuclear engineering
  • Aerospace engineering
  • R&D supervision
  • Maintenance engineering

How much do mechanical engineers earn?

The average mechanical engineer salary in South Africa is R 612 444 per year or R 314 per hour. Entry-level positions start at R 326 571 per year, while most experienced workers make up to R 7 546 560 per year.