Mechanical Engineer - How to become a Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineer some time also designated as Product Engineer or Equipment Engineer is trained for planning and designing tools, machines, engines and other mechanical equipment. Besides a mechanical engineer also oversee the operation, installation, maintenance and repair of mechanical equipment, engines and machines. In this manner, they are the driving force behind many of our technologies and industrial processes including innovative products like mobiles, PCs and DVD etc in our modern world.

Mechanical Engineering is considered as evergreen disciplines of engineering because of its never-ending scope. This is one such field which is required with every other discipline of engineering.  Thus mechanical engineers are in demand in any kind of market conditions. The industry offers a variety of options spreading across many interdependent specialities.

Because of its multidimensional usage, the work of a mechanical engineer is quite challenging as it requires IT, design and analytical skills together with an ability to work as a team. As their work involves production, transmission and use of mechanical power and heat, they have to analyze the different materials used for the machines and their tolerances; investigate the different energy sources and the power they generate and the design problems if any. When designing and making a commercial product they have to take into account all the business and marketing aspects to make sure that the product is affordable.

So to be one of these highly acclaimed engineers the aspiring candidate should have discipline, patience, commitment to excel in his respective field and self-confidence. If you have all these qualities then be ready to compete in some of the highly rated competitive exams to enter world-class engineering institutes to refine your skills to be able to deliver a hundred per cent.

Mechanical Engineer Eligibility

The minimum educational qualification for becoming a Mechanical Engineer is a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering or a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from a recognised institute.

Mechanical Engineer Required Skills

• Mechanical Engineers should possess excellent communication and presentation skills; good problem-solving skills and a creative approach for new ideas.
• They also have excellent technical knowledge; good team working skills; the ability to prioritise and plan effectively.
• They also required being familiar with a high level of IT skill, particularly computer-aided design; good commercial awareness; the ability to work under pressure and to deadlines.
• They should also be known of troubleshooting machinery, creating, editing and interpreting design schematics, analyzing existing systems for possible improvement, and overseeing the design and development of new devices intended to solve problems within specific industries.

How to become a Mechanical Engineer?

There are two options that one can follow to be a Mechanical Engineering graduate.

One can join Diploma College/Polytechnic after 10th and get a Diploma in Engineering (Mechanical Trade)

Step 1
After clearing 10 class the aspiring candidates can join the Diploma in Mechanical Engineering course in some of the Diploma Engineering Colleges/Polytechnics. Candidates may have to appear in Entrance Exam like DET etc. conducted by the Technical Education Boards of various State Governments to get admission to these courses.

This exam is generally held in the month of May-June and consists of objective type questions on the subject of English, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Aptitude. However, some polytechnic provides admission to this course on the basis of marks in the qualifying exam.

Step 2
After completing this three years of Diploma course one can either join some job of Junior Engineer level or can compete to get admission in the second year of a degree in engineering course which is provided by some of the Regional Engineering Colleges of the state. or

One can complete its engineering studies through AMIE (Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers) - An alternate option for getting an engineering degree.

AMIE introduce non-formal engineering education programme, successful completion of which is recognised as equivalent to a degree in engineering by the government of India, the union public service commission, state governments and public/private sector organizations.

The second option is that the engineering aspirant can opt for 10+2 followed by the admission in the Mechanical Engineering degree college.

Step 1
After completing 12 class aspiring candidates have to appear in the engineering entrance tests like Joint Entrance Exam to get admission in B.E (Mechanical) course of some of the reputed Engineering colleges liked like IIT’s, BITS Pilani etc. present at various places in India. Candidate gets admission into these colleges for four-year degree programme according to their merit in the examination taken and a stream of their interest as selected by them.

Step 2
After successful completion degree course and completion of the required internship, the candidate is ready to join Government, Semi Government or Privates sector as Assistant Engineer. Candidates can also go for the Indian Engineering Services exam to get to the top most technical post of the Government of India.

As another option one can opt of higher qualification as Master in Mechanical Engineering followed by PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field and can go for research work or for academics. It all depends upon once priorities in their life.

Mechanical Engineer Job Description

Mechanical Engineering as a discipline is concerned with all types of machinery required in the industries and all aspects of their mechanism and functioning including the design, development, construction, production, installation, operation and maintenance; such as large steam and gas turbines, components of thermal power stations, internal combustion engines, jet engines, machine tools, air conditioning and heating machines, refrigerators etc to name some of them.

Mechanical Engineer Career Prospects

After passing the course, they have many options in various fields-

Mechanical Engineer Salary

Degree Engineer in the private sector can get anywhere near Rs.35,000 to Rs.40,000  to start with and reach as high as Rs.1,00,000 per month with experience and ability. Whereas in government sector mechanical engineers are suitably compensated by other perks and allowances in addition to housing facilities, medical expenses as well as free/concessional air passages for their immediate family members and dependents (as LTC) above all the status attached with the Government sector posts.