What does a mechanical design engineer do?

A Mechanical Design Engineer is a professional who specializes in creating and developing mechanical systems, devices, and products. Their role involves applying engineering principles and design techniques to develop innovative solutions for various industries. Use Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software to create detailed 2D and 3D models of mechanical components and systems. This includes drafting, prototyping, and creating virtual representations of designs. Perform structural, thermal, and other analyses using simulation tools to ensure the feasibility and integrity of the proposed mechanical designs. Evaluate factors such as stress, heat dissipation, and material properties.

Expanding on what’s already mentioned, other common tasks for a mechanical design engineer include measuring, designing and documenting production layouts with or without more advanced tools like 3D-scanners, retrieving input data for projects by collecting and comparing measurements from existing competing designs, taking part in troubleshooting exercises and pre-study brainstorming events across other technical departments in the organization. The role of a mechanical design engineer remains one of the industry’s broadest and most versatile and will at some times have a very high demand on the person having it.

One thing I’ve found helpful as a mechanical design engineer is having a strong background in mathematics, physics, and engineering fundamentals, as well as being proficient in using various software and hardware tools for modeling, simulation, analysis, and prototyping. Additionally, a mechanical design engineer should have good communication, teamwork, and project management skills, as well as creativity, curiosity, and a passion for learning. In my experience, these skills and qualifications have helped me to collaborate effectively with other engineers and professionals from different disciplines and domains, and to deliver high-quality products on time and within budget.

To add on the subject, the mechanical design engineer must also be aware of any regulations that apply in the field of the projects in which they participate. These regulations must then be interpreted and understood accordingly making sure the designs will comply with any regional or international requirements. This is of utmost importance regarding the safety of any product, which many organizations place as one of their core values. Furthermore, the use of standards when available is highly recommended as these are created for the purposes of increasing compatibility, serviceability, cost-effectiveness and simply understanding between engineers.

You don't need a degree. A curious mind, common sense, a practical approach and a sense of logic (amongst other skills) will all serve you well and you don't need a degree to possess any of these.

Any physical product, from smartphones and wristwatches to suspension bridges and cruise ships, whether it may be, could have been developed by a mechanical design engineer. As long as the outcome of the project is manufactured and has a function, a mechanical engineer will surely have had a lot to offer along the way. Other surrounding projects may include development of packaging for products or development of logistical solutions for deploying these anywhere from factory internal routes to end user routes. So not only the product itself is designed by the mechanical design engineer but also the pieces around it which make the whole production chain work.

By far the biggest challenge of a mechanical design engineer is holding everything together and up to date without having lost momentum or efficiency along the way. There are so many things to be considered during the development process, so many obstacles to assess the grade of importance of and so many choices that need correct filtering. Helping to tackle these challenges there exists a trainable quality - the ability to organize. Just begin writing down all your tasks in list form on a paper, take it one step further by giving them different priority, continue by gathering everything in a spreadsheet and make it visually more understandable. As with anything, the better picture you have yourself, the better you will explain to others.

The challenges of a mechanical design engineer are many and diverse, as they have to deal with complex and dynamic problems that often involve multiple constraints and trade-offs. Some of the challenges that I have faced or encountered are: meeting the specifications and requirements of the customers and stakeholders; complying with the standards and regulations of the industry and the market; testing and validating the functionality and performance of the designs; ensuring the reliability and durability of the products; and keeping up with the latest technologies and trends in the field.

i believe, one of most important aspects is PDQ (Product Data Quality, see ISO 10303-59 and quite ancient ISO/PAS 26183 SASIG PDQ). Furthermore, the yields of mechanical design engineer efforts (CAD models) have to be stored and handled during decades. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to LTDR (Long Term Data Retention - see EN9300 series). Are all design engineers skilled in this aspects/issues?

As with anything, a benefit will also come with a curse. Naturally the mechanical design engineer’s expansive understanding, although very beneficial indeed, will attract many questions from other roles both within and outside the project and perhaps even the need to address problems or false claims. Regarding the satisfaction of seeing the products come to life and the ability to see and touch a product developed from within a computer, this really needs to be highlighted as one of the main benefits. Here a mechanical design engineer can have participated in developing a product worth millions and then being able to see and feel and test out the finished product - something unobtainable if made at home with private resources.

The benefits of a mechanical design engineer are also numerous and rewarding, as they have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the society and the environment through their work. Some of the benefits that I have enjoyed or appreciated are: seeing the results of my efforts and creativity in the form of tangible and useful products; receiving the feedback and recognition of the users and the clients; learning new skills and knowledge from the challenges and the projects; and being part of a community of professionals who share the same passion and vision.

As I’ve elaborated on in another article I’d urge the need to remember to learn from the past, as history often will repeat itself. Good historical designs are everywhere to be reinvented upon. Keep in mind though to not get stuck in what’s behind you, keep your focus on the future applying modern standards, while picking out the fruit from the old cake along the way. Don’t take things for granted and don’t overlook things that work, there is improvement to be made in everything. Keep it simple to, these designs are often the best. Be a team player and don’t disregard your competitors. We are all in the same boat in the end. Take the opportunity to add that little personal thing to your creations and design with both your heart and mind.

I think that being a mechanical design engineer is not only a profession but also a lifestyle and a mindset. It requires a constant curiosity and a willingness to explore, experiment, and improve. It also requires a balance between the technical and the human aspects of engineering, as well as a respect for the ethical and social implications of the work. I believe that being a mechanical design engineer is a fulfilling and rewarding career that can offer many opportunities for personal and professional growth.