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You probably already have an idea about what to expect when studying Mechanical Engineering, but what about the jobs you can look forward to when taking such a degree?
Future Of Mechanical Engineering In USA
Employment of mechanical engineers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 20,200 openings for mechanical engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
If your answer is the typical “be solution-oriented, creative, and have at least passing knowledge of Math and Technology” you’re only at the base of the mountain. There’s still some hiking to do to reach the peak.
Future Trends Mechanical Engineering
The versatility of this field has historically lead to rich job prospects for mechanical engineers, and the same seems to hold true for the future. Employment for mechanical engineers is expected to grow at 4% annually between 2018 and 2028, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. They do, however, also mention that this rate will most likely favor those who stay abreast with the latest technological advances.
While core mechanical engineering principles, such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and machine design are still valid, expertise in composites, mechatronics, and nanotechnology are in increasingly high demand.
Scope Of Mechanical Engineering In US
These new subject areas, which are the result of modern advancements, are prerequisites for several emerging and promising fields, including artificial intelligence, biomechatronics, and nanotechnology. Some of the areas where mechanical engineers are expected to be in high demand include:
Electric Vehicles
The transportation sector continues to generate the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Mounting pressures to use alternative sources of energy has helped to fuel the rise of electric vehicles. While mechanical engineers have always been essential in the automotive industry, their role is crucial now more than ever.
Replacement of the traditional internal combustion engine with cleaner, battery-powered systems brings new challenges regarding torque and energy loss, and the design of mechatronics to support new electrical systems.
Furthermore, as vehicle manufacturing becomes more automated, mechanical engineers will be front and center in the design of robotics and assembly lines.
Nanoengineering
Nanotechnology refers to the manipulation of materials at the smallest level. This rapidly growing field is one that offers abundant opportunities for mechanical engineers.
In the years ahead, mechanical engineers are expected to be integral in using nanotechnology to:
- Create stronger composite materials
- Develop superior renewable energy storage systems
- Create advanced biomedical devices
Biomechatronics
The role of mechanical engineers in robotics is taken a step even further with the rapid growth of biomechatronics. This field, which seeks to merge body and machine, involves the design and testing of complex and intricate device architectures that mimic the body’s musculoskeletal design.
Mechanical engineers will be primarily involved in the design of mechanical sensors, controllers, and actuators for biomedical devices used in prosthetics and miniature medical implants. In addition to the medical field, research is also being carried out on the use of biomechatronics in the military industry.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing is an ever-evolving field. Mounting pressures to increase production efficiency while minimizing operating costs have fueled demand for new and innovative technologies.
Automation and robotics (an area in which mechanical engineers are crucial) continue to be essential in helping manufacturing industries keep up with consumer demand while maximizing profit.
However, according to Huffington Post, despite the exponential growth of the manufacturing industry, many U.S. manufacturers are finding difficulty filling vacant positions for skilled workers, engineers included. This industry is therefore ripe with opportunities for professionals with mechanical engineering degrees.
While new technologies have no doubt changed the engineering landscape, the future looks bright for the mechanical engineering industry. New fields of study and subject areas will favor engineering graduates. Practicing professionals, however, will need to keep up-to-date with current and future advancements to avoid being left behind.
Mechanical engineering in the automotive industry: The electric car effect
Cars are complex products, with numerous components carefully designed and tested by mechanical engineers before ever even entering production. However, the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) – with their much simpler internal layouts – could significantly alter what mechanical engineers contribute to cars and trucks.
The biggest change is probably the succession of internal combustion engines by cleaner battery-based power systems. This shift is considerable, but it should not be read as the elimination of the bulk of all mechanical engineering tasks for typical automobiles. Anticipating the rise of EV back in 2012, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) highlighted the many challenges requiring specific attention from engineers, including:
- The need to replace various composites, plastics and aluminum alloys with sheet-metal steel, which is essential to the torque of an electric motor and minimizing the overall loss of its energy as heat.
- The increased demand for lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. Navigant Research estimated the market for vehicle-specific Li-ions at $7.8 billion in 2015 and projected it would reach $30.6 billion in 2024.
- The development of rugged mechatronics hardware to accompany AC/DC inverters and high-amperage/voltage motor controls. These pieces of equipment have to withstand constant vibrations as well as wide variances in temperature.
- The design, testing and installation of the different infrastructures supporting EVs. For example, mechanical engineers may contribute to the roadside charging stations necessary for recharging an EV on the go.
Plus, mechanical engineers will continue to focus on specific components like the drivetrains, transmissions and steering controls of EVs. Such parts are carryovers from traditional auto manufacturing, along with others including brakes, suspension and heating/cooling systems. Even with the looming decrease in importance of the gas-powered engine, there is still more than enough work for mechanical engineers to perform in ensuring the efficiency, safety and cost-effectiveness of mass-produced EVs.
As car manufacturing becomes more automated, mechanical engineers will also be front and center in the creation of the robots and other machines that drive automotive assembly lines. Automakers are already among the largest purchasers of specialty robots, which are the work of mechanical engineers.
Automotive-related mechanical engineering does not always resemble the classic conceptions of engineering as strictly the art of designing parts, either. Engineers do not merely pore over the specifications of an engine or wiring; they also assist in the selection and application of materials during manufacturing. More specifically, engineers will apply their knowledge of fluid mechanics and tribology (i.e., the study of how surfaces react in relative motion) in determining the ideal combination of material and design in a component such as a hood cover or a taillight on an EV.
Nanotechnology: The other next big frontier for mechanical engineers
In addition to automotive, automation and robotics, the BLS forecast for mechanical engineers also highlighted the rich prospects ahead in nanotechnology. There is considerable overlap between nanoengineering and mechanical engineering, as the ASME itself has noted.
Nanotechnology pertains to the manipulation of materials at the smallest levels. Almost a decade ago, ASME convened a summit to set a vision for the next 20 years of mechanical engineering. That outlook included a starring role for nanotech as a facilitator of “technologies that foster a cleaner, healthier, safer and sustainable global environment.”
Many of the nanotech projects mechanical engineers will work on in the years ahead will resemble their efforts in other areas (such as automotive manufacturing), only on a much smaller scale. The possibilities include:
- Stronger composites: EVs and consumer electronics will benefit from the development of new materials that are both lighter and stronger than current mainstays such as carbon fiber. Graphene is one of the best known of these substances; it was recently engineered to filter whiskey into completely clear liquid.
- Superior energy storage infrastructures: Mechanical engineers are essential to the success of the growing renewable power sector. For instance, they can harness nanomaterials, like enhanced cathode materials, to create more efficient batteries and photovoltaic cells for storing excess solar energy.
- Biomedical devices: Nanotechnology could be a game-changer in medicine, thanks to its applications in the targeted diagnosis and treatment of many common conditions such as certain cancers. According to BCC Research, nanomedicine could become a $528 billion market by 2019, up from $214 billion in 2013.
Overall, nanotechnology could be integral to the future of almost every commercial and industrial sector, provided it is implemented via durable sensors and supported by sustainable manufacturing processes. Mechanical engineers will be responsible for ensuring both of these conditions are met.
Mechanical Engineering Job Prospects
Becoming a successful mechanical engineer requires advanced training and access to specific facilities; in the case of nanoengineers, they will eventually have to work in specialized nanofabrication plants. An interdisciplinary approach covering topics in physics, chemistry and electrical engineering is often necessary for ultimately putting together the knowledge and technical skills for tackling the most prominent challenges in mechanical engineering.
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