Mechanical Engineering Skills: Definition and Examples for the Workplace

Mechanical engineering skills are the skills needed by those in this profession to effectively and productively perform their job duties. These skills include both hard and soft skills, or skills that are learned in school, training, or on-the-job as well as skills that come innately to individuals. Because mechanical engineers work in a variety of industries, including the automotive and manufacturing industries, these professionals often need a broader skillset than other types of engineers.

The following are several of the most important skills needed by mechanical engineers to be successful in their careers:

Creativity

Mechanical engineers must have strong creativity skills to be able to develop and design various devices, products, machines, and other types of projects required for their job. For example, a mechanical engineer may need to devise how to create a battery that will fit a particular kind of product. Other examples of how mechanical engineers use creativity in their daily work include working with computer-aided design tools, preparing designs, creating blueprints, and drafting specifications for a project.

Common creativity skills needed by mechanical engineers include:

• Experimentation
• Asking questions
• Observation skills
• Networking skills
• Creative thinking
• Deductive reasoning
• Inductive reasoning
• Problem-solving

Problem-solving skills

Another key skill required for success as a mechanical engineer is problem-solving. Problem-solving skills refer to skills that enable a person to find the cause of a problem and develop a viable solution to that problem. Mechanical engineers often use problem-solving skills on a daily basis to combat various issues that may arise. For example, a mechanical engineer may use problem-solving to determine the core problem of a computer system malfunction and to come to a conclusion as to how to fix the malfunction.

Key problem-solving skills that mechanical engineers need include:

• Analysis skills
• Research skills
• Decision-making skills
• Communication
• Teamwork skills
• Active listening

Communication skills

In addition to problem-solving and creativity skills, mechanical engineers also need solid communication skills to succeed in the workplace. These professionals often work as part of a team with other engineers and developers and must be able to effectively communicate with team members to ensure everyone is on the same page. Mechanical engineers also need to be able to effectively communicate with clients and shareholders in terms of project expectations.

Good communication skills for mechanical engineers to possess include:

• Active listening
• Nonverbal communication
• Written communication
• Oral communication
• Friendliness
• Dependability
• The ability to share and accept feedback
• Confidence
• Clarity
• Empathy
• Responsiveness

Math skills

Nearly every professional working in the engineering industry must possess strong math skills to be successful in their positions. Mechanical engineers regularly use math to solve problems and develop viable solutions. Common math skills needed by these individuals include:

• Calculus
• Statistics
• Trigonometry
• Geometry
• Algebra

Computer skills

Most mechanical engineers use some form of computer software to complete their daily tasks, and many rely heavily on computer technology to perform their jobs. For example, a mechanical engineer typically needs to be able to use computer-aided design (CAD) programs to create blueprints of products. Other computer skills that mechanical engineers will benefit from possessing include:

• Automated model programming
• Pro-E CREO CAD software
• Engineering product data management software (EPDM)
• Microsoft office suite
• Spreadsheets
• AutoCAD
• MathCAD
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software
• Visual Basics for Applications (VBA)
• MATLAB
• MechaniCalc

Detail orientation

Another important skill needed by mechanical engineers is detail orientation. These professionals often work to create intricate mechanical systems in which even minor details can have a large impact on the outcome of the product. Strong detail orientation also allows mechanical engineers to complete quality inspections and reviews to ensure machinery and other products are working correctly and to find errors and malfunctions when they are present.

Learn more: How to Improve Your Attention to Detail Skills

There are several ways that you can work to hone your mechanical engineering skills and become a more successful engineering professional. A few of these ways include by:

• Taking an online course or class: There are several online courses and classes available that focus on various mechanical engineering skills. For example, you could take a course on communication or a course in a specific area of math. Because these courses are online, you can complete them in your spare time while you continue to work or go to school.
• Find a mentor: Working with a mentor is a great way to improve your skills and identify any areas of weakness you need to work on. Consider finding a mentor who is an established mechanical engineer and has several years of experience. Ask them to provide you with honest feedback and any recommendations as to how you to can better improve specific mechanical engineering skills.
• Practice problem-solving in everyday life: Most people come across several different problems during the course of an average day. You can use these problems to your advantage by approaching each one with a problem-solving mindset. This will help you hone your problem-solving skills and get in the habit of thinking in a solutions-oriented way.
• Consider an internship: If you are still in skill or recently graduated, consider applying for a mechanical engineering internship. Internships provide a hands-on experience where you can learn on-the-job skills needed to effectively perform the functions of this position.

The following are ways that you can implement your mechanical engineering skills in the workplace:

• Practice good communication: Communication is a major component of a mechanical engineer’s job, and there are likely several opportunities for you to practice good communication skills throughout the course of your day in this position. For example, when discussing design details, ensure that you are clearly and concisely explaining the details in a way that the other person can easily understand. Another example of using communication in the workplace is when writing technical reports. Ensure your reports are clearly written and free of grammatical and spelling errors.
• Focus on creativity: As a mechanical engineer, you’ll likely have several opportunities to use your creative skills. For example, when working on developing a new mechanical structure, try to come up with more than one way to create the structure. This will get your creative juices flowing and help you see things from various perspectives.
• Emphasize problem-solving: Mechanical engineers often rely on their problem-solving skills to accomplish goals. Try to use your problem-solving skills whenever possible at work, such as when testing new prototypes, determining ways to improve designs, and performing systems and equipment calculations.
• Be a good team member: Because most mechanical engineers work on teams, being a good team member is essential in this position. When working as a team, emphasize teamwork skills such as being proactive, offering to mentor others, and resolving conflicts that may arise among other team members.

Learn more: Top Companies Hiring Engineers

There are several ways that you can highlight your mechanical engineering skills on your resume, cover letter, and during a job interview. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to help you stand out among other job applicants:

Mechanical engineering skills for your resume and cover letter

When creating your mechanical engineer resume, first consider the industry-specific keywords used in job applications for this position. It’s important to include these keywords to ensure your application makes it through the automated applicant tracking systems that many employers use in the initial stage of searching for candidates. Many of these keywords are related to specific mechanical engineering skills, so you can use them to highlight your skills on your resume.

You can also create a skills section on your resume and include five to seven relevant skills you possess that directly relate to the job you’re applying for. Include concrete and quantifiable examples of how you’ve used those skills in the past.

On your cover letter, choose two or three of the most important mechanical engineering skills you have that relate to the job you’re applying for. Include a sentence or two for each skill that iterates how you’ve used this skill and the result.

Before a job interview, create a list of your top mechanical engineering skills as they relate to the position. You can use this list during the interview to discuss your skills and specific examples of a time you’ve used them in previous jobs, internships, or during school.