mechanical engineer.

As a mechanical engineer, you often play an important role in manufacturing industries as you are the one who designs the machines and the technology used in production. Some mechanical engineers manufacture machines that will be used in food production, while others produce the equipment used in the medical field within the manufacturing industry. The work and its tasks can vary greatly within the manufacturing industry.

A mechanical engineer is tasked with assisting in the mechanical processes and developing modifications to improve efficiency and safety. You examine the functionality of the machines, and their features, and then develop modifications intended to make the system better. After testing these same modifications, you are to install the system to improve the entire industrial process.

A mechanical engineer who works with automation and the robotisation of processes is responsible for building and maintaining robots used in industry. Your job involves developing the blueprint that forms the basis for the robot, and thus for the functionality and technology behind the robot solution. You determine the expected performance and how the robot will behave. You also make important modifications and regularly carry out maintenance on the robot itself.

As a mechanical engineer in the automotive industry, you play an important role in designing and manufacturing new vehicles. You are also a key part of research to develop modifications that will improve vehicle performance. This may involve finding mechanisms to power the vehicles in a more efficient way.

The specific duties for a mechanical engineer can vary depending on which industry you work in. But below we have highlighted the more common tasks included in your role as a mechanical engineer.

• Analyse problems: Your job is to try to find solutions to problems or meet the demands that come from industry. For example, if the industrial process uses a lot of energy, you might be tasked with finding a mechanical solution for the energy supply and energy consumption, to make the process more efficient and thus generate cost savings. You can create a new mechanical unit or machine to be used or modify the one already in use.

• Produce mechanical drawings and designs: You are the one who creates drawings for new mechanical components and equipment by making drawings and designs for the machines. Technical drawings are required for all mechanical parts, where you need to use computer-based software and design systems (CAD) to make the drawings.

• Develop prototypes: You create prototypes from the design drawings and are tasked with solving mechanical problems. You test the design and validate the product hypothesis using the prototype. If the design prototype solves the problem, the product will become part of the production phase, or you make changes to the existing equipment or machinery used based on your new knowledge.

• Monitoring production: When a product prototype passes the testing phase without any remarks, it becomes part of production. As a mechanical engineer, it’s your job to also monitor the manufacturing process, to ensure that production runs smoothly. You double-check that the machines have all the functions and that the performance is at the desired level.

• Technical documentation: Keeping ongoing documentation is an important part of the job as a mechanical engineer. All machines and equipment come with technical information about their components and areas of use. This documentation is important to ensure that industry requirements are met. As a mechanical engineer, you need to keep technical documentation for all products you develop or modify, so that future users can understand how the product works.

• Setting budget and price for products: Before you start a new project as a mechanical engineer, you need to discuss expected costs with relevant parties. After production, you are involved in setting prices for the equipment, based on factors such as function, time required and expenses.

As a mechanical engineer can work in various industries, the working environment can also look different. Some mechanical engineers work in manufacturing, medical industries or the transport industry.

During the first part of a project, the actual design phase, you'll spend a lot of time working at the office or at home. That's when you create technical drawings and prototypes. But from time to time, you may need to make regular visits to factories and workshops. That environment can be quite noisy, especially in the car industry. Here, you might also need to visit production to carry out maintenance or equipment inspections. It's important then to wear the required protective equipment.

As a mechanical engineer, you will have many different colleagues. electrical engineer, CNC operator or maintenance engineer. Partly, your colleagues will be determined by the industry you work in. Partly, your colleagues will vary from day to day, depending on the tasks you carry out and the work environment you find yourself in. For example, when you are out in production, it is common for you to have contact and dialogue with production operative, project manager or factory managers.

As a mechanical engineer, you usually work full-time, 40 hours a week. You mostly work regular office hours, but there may be a need for overtime or working at unsociable hours. For example, if there's a deadline that needs to be met or an urgent need for your help.

There are some part-time positions and project-based employment as a mechanical engineer, and there are consultancy firms who rent out mechanical engineers on a consultancy basis to various clients. It is also possible to work as a consultant when you are a mechanical engineer and rent out your services to different clients. Someone who is experienced as a mechanical engineer can be attractive to many clients even as a self-employed person.

As a mechanical engineer, you'll start off at a junior level, with more senior mechanical engineers above you. This is so you can fully learn the job.

There are many practical aspects in the job as a mechanical engineer, which means that those with longer work experience have had time to gather knowledge and competence within the field and role. This also means that you may become more suitable for roles with greater responsibility. For example, there are many experienced mechanical engineers who choose to work as consultants later in their careers. It is an advantage if you would rather be able to control your assignments, working hours, and tasks yourself. For many, working as a consultant and subcontractor means greater freedom and flexibility.

There are many advantages to finding a vacancy as a mechanical engineer through Randstad.

• various development and career opportunities 

• an experienced contact person who can help you if needed

• many job vacancies within your area

• full-time or part-time work depending on the job/assignment

Do you want a permanent position as a mechanical engineer? A temporary job as a mechanical engineer is often a good first step towards a permanent position. Every year, several people get a permanent job with employers, thanks to a temporary job that has gone through us at Randstad. In addition, many companies recruit their permanent employees directly through Randstad.

As a mechanical engineer, you can train to become an engineer either at university or at a university college. You can study for 2-3 years and get a bachelor's degree or continue studying to get a master's degree. To be successful as a mechanical engineer, you also need practical knowledge when you enter working life.

Training to become a CAD designer in mechanics is a common way to qualify for jobs as a mechanical engineer. You can study at a vocational college, and in that case the course is usually more intensive, partly practical, and for many people more efficient.

Working as a mechanical engineer or CAD designer requires you to have deep practical knowledge. It's something you build up over time. In other words, work experience is important for succeeding as a mechanical engineer. Studying a course that combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills is a good way to learn the job. For example, you can learn the job through a work placement as a mechanical engineer.

As a mechanical engineer, it's important to always develop your skills and learn about new technologies, software, and other relevant things. Someone with more work experience as a mechanical engineer will, in other words, have had time to learn more. That also makes you more attractive to employers if you want to move forward in your career.

As a mechanical engineer, you need to be good at analysing and then finding solutions to real-world problems. Having top-notch problem-solving skills helps you develop solutions and modifications to products in an efficient way.

As a mechanical engineer, you'll stand out even more if you also have a solid foundation of creativity. It will help you invent, discover, and design products and solutions for various industrial processes. To find mechanical components that make different systems, machines, and solutions more efficient, you need a creative streak.

To become a skilled mechanical engineer, you also need to have a good eye for numbers and a solid foundation in mathematics to rely on. This is because it's a job that requires quite a lot of calculations and a deep understanding of how things are connected. To analyse data and make calculations, you need to have a good knowledge of mathematics.

A mechanical engineer or CAD designer works with analysing mechanical devices, machines and equipment, then troubleshooting problems and finding solutions or modifying existing equipment. You also develop and test prototypes that are used as mechanical components in production.

It's an exciting and challenging career path to work as a mechanical engineer, and the job opportunities are good. It's a role that's needed in a range of different industries and is important for streamlining productivity, and thereby profitability.

It's not unusual for a mechanical engineer to need to travel quite a bit for work, from the office to various production units and factories. You might also need to travel to other cities or abroad to attend training sessions, conferences or workshops. The job of a mechanical engineer is all about constantly developing your skills.

It's easy to apply for a job as a mechanical engineer. Search among our job vacancies in your area. Then send in your CV and your personal letter or apply via LinkedIn. If you need help with your job application, you can read all our job tips here!

Here you can find more information about the role of a mechanical engineer.