Industry-Oriented Job Skills for Mechanical Engineers

To get jobs, Industry-Oriented Job Skills are essential for Mechanical Engineers. This article outlines the “what,” “why,” and “how” of skills for mechanical engineers.

Skill is an essential trait for performing engineering tasks. Skills can be classified into two categories.

Domain knowledge
Tool knowledge

Tool knowledge enables “how” to do and involves a relatively shorter learning time. Various tools are used in the industry depending on the domain (aero, auto, energy, heavy machinery, etc.) and function (design, stress analysis, production planning, supply chain, etc.) Though it is essential to know the set of commands in tools to complete tasks, it is even more essential to know “what” and “why” to do such tasks.

This is where domain knowledge takes prominence as it deals with what to do and why to do what we do. Domain knowledge is acquired through experience and understanding of the product and process associated with a specific industry.

Freshers should concentrate on acquiring tool skills through training and invest time in gaining domain knowledge. Each domain has functions like design, stress analysis, production/manufacturing, supply chain, service, and sales. Therefore, understanding the flow of all functions and concentrating on one is beneficial for freshers in that specific industry.

Experience is essential to succeed in landing the dream job. Freshers should invest 1 to 3 years in mastering the tool. They should also learn the automation capabilities of the tool. Freshers should also invest at least five years to gain specific domain experience. Be curious, select a mentor, and be patient and persistent with learning in the industry.

Key Job Skills to be learned at college and taken to industry

Dimension and Tolerances (GD&T)
Engineering Mechanics
Strength of Materials

Drafting and Dimensioning Standards

Remember that organizations hire individuals to meet their objective of producing a specific product or providing services. Therefore, it is your responsibility to help organizations meet these objectives by attaining the necessary skills.

If an organization trains you and helps you learn, it’s an investment for them. Organizations don’t mind investing money in training their employees. But they won’t have the time to invest due to short project lifecycles. Knowing your strength and working on gaps is required. Competency and concentrated effort on a specific stream increase the success rate in getting a job.

A Mechanical Engineer can find jobs in the below organizations.

R&D Organisation
Production / Manufacturing Organization

Service Organization
Academic / EdTech Organizations

Essential Skills / Competencies Required in the above organizations are listed below.

Where can Mechanical Engineers Find Jobs?

1) Essential Job Skills to work for an R&D Organisation

Strong basics of science, applied mathematics, engineering mechanics, the strength of materials
Cognitive and spatial ability to conceptualize and conceive ideas for innovation
High motivation for self-actualization, caring for improvement over stagnation (status quo)

Appetite for learning further (probably further studies in a specialized field after a few years of industrial exposure)

2) Essential Job Skills to work for a Production / Manufacturing Organization

Good understanding of manufacturing processes and production concepts
Essential knowledge of the quality concepts and appreciation of the process-oriented approach for problem-solving

Planning, human relations, and practical orientation to solutions
Low appetite for further studies/specialization
Drive for technology

3) Essential Job Skills to work for a Service Organization

Ability to adapt to changing work types and market requirements
Strong understanding of various domains with exposure to CAD tools / FEA tools used in those domains
Good communication (written/oral) to deal with stakeholders at different levels and functions

Limited appetite for perfection with more emphasis on getting work done within schedule, attaining expected quality
Process automation, CAD tool macro development would be advantageous

4) Essential Job Skills to work for an Academic / ED Tech Organization

Ability to communicate with large groups effectively and passion for teaching

Ambition for further specialization in specific areas

An Approach for Job search is outlined below.

Identify your strength and gaps.
Limit search to one or max two streams stated above

Fill/reduce gaps by upskilling/certification
Prepare with basics of the interview
Keep investing in learning the latest trends in the market (on technology, tools, etc.)