Part of our series What does a ___ actually do?, plain-English guides to the careers students ask us about most.
If it moves, heats, cools or carries a load, a mechanical engineer probably had a hand in it. Car engines, aircraft parts, air-conditioning systems, wind turbines, hospital equipment and factory production lines all start as drawings and calculations by mechanical engineers. They design machines, test them, find out why they fail, and keep them running safely.
What the job involves
Turning ideas into technical plans using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
Reading and producing technical drawings and specifications.
Testing mechanical systems and analysing the data to improve them.
Investigating why a machine failed and recommending design changes so it does not happen again.
Checking that machinery and equipment are safe.
Overseeing installation and maintenance in buildings, power stations and factories.
Leading teams of technicians, designers and other engineers.
A typical day
Take an engineer at a company that makes cooling systems for buildings. In the morning they update a 3D model of a pump housing after the last prototype cracked during pressure testing. After lunch they go to a site where a chiller unit keeps shutting down, read the fault logs with the maintenance team and arrange for a bearing to be replaced. Back at the office, they write up what went wrong and change the specification so the next batch uses a stronger part.
A lot of the job is communication. In the US occupational survey, every mechanical engineer who responded said they use email every day, and 74% said they are in constant contact with other people.
Where they work
Mechanical engineers work in manufacturing, construction, energy and utilities, and transport. In the Gulf, that includes oil and gas, aviation, building services and power and water plants. The work is split between an office, a factory floor and site visits, and some site work is outdoors in all weathers. In the UK, typical hours are 37 to 40 a week, sometimes with evening, weekend or shift work.
It is also one of the jobs where you can cut energy use directly: making systems more efficient and choosing low-carbon materials such as recycled metals.
Is it a good fit for you?
Mechanical engineering is mainly Realistic (building and fixing real things) and Investigative (analysing problems), with a Conventional side (working to standards and procedures). It could suit you if:
Maths and physics are your strongest subjects, or close to it.
You take things apart to see how they work, and usually get them back together.
You enjoy design and technology, robotics clubs or building models.
You are patient with testing: most designs fail a few times before they work.
How to become a mechanical engineer
Stage | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
Degree | A degree in mechanical engineering, mechatronics or a related subject. An accredited MEng, or a BEng followed by a master’s, meets the academic standard for Chartered Engineer. | A four-year degree, ideally from an ABET-accredited programme |
Other routes | Degree apprenticeships, such as Manufacturing Engineer (Level 6), or starting as a technician and training on the job | The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, usually the first step towards a licence |
Professional status | Chartered Engineer (CEng) through the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, after gaining experience | Professional Engineer (PE) licence, after at least four years of work experience and a second exam |
In the UK, a degree usually needs 2 to 3 A levels or equivalent, including maths and physics. Some of the most competitive, including Cambridge and Imperial, also set the ESAT admissions test. In Dubai, engineers who need a professional practice licence are assessed through Dubai Municipality’s engineering qualification system, which includes tests.
Where to study in the GCC
Several universities in the region have mechanical engineering degrees accredited by ABET, the US engineering accreditation body. Details are from each university’s official page.
University | Programme | What the university states |
|---|---|---|
Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi | BSc in Mechanical Engineering | 130 credits; accredited by ABET |
BS in Mechanical Engineering | Accredited by ABET | |
UAE University, Al Ain | Mechanical Engineering | 147 credit hours; accredited by ABET |
BS in Mechanical Engineering | Accredited by ABET | |
KFUPM, Saudi Arabia | BS in Mechanical Engineering | Choice of an internship option or a summer training option |
Top universities worldwide
Looking beyond the Gulf? These are the top eight for mechanical, aeronautical and manufacturing engineering in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.
Rank | University | Country |
|---|---|---|
1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | United States |
2 | Stanford University | United States |
3 | National University of Singapore (NUS) | Singapore |
4 | University of Cambridge | United Kingdom |
5 | Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) | Singapore |
6 | ETH Zurich | Switzerland |
=7 | Harvard University | United States |
=7 | University of Oxford | United Kingdom |
In the UK, look for a four-year MEng. It is the most direct academic route to becoming a Chartered Engineer. Rankings mostly reflect research reputation, so read them alongside the course details.
What mechanical engineers earn
From official government wage statistics, converted to US dollars and rounded:
Country | Lower end | Upper end |
|---|---|---|
United States | $74,000 | $164,000 |
United Kingdom | $44,000 | $91,000 |
Canada | $44,000 | $106,000 |
The lower end is the 10th percentile of earners. The upper end is the 90th percentile in the US and Canada and the 80th in the UK, the highest UK figure available. No GCC government publishes pay by job title, so we don’t show regional figures.
Try it now
Try an engineering internship online. A Learning Lab’s Engineering Virtual Internship covers engineering fields, design projects and robotics.
Build something that moves. A robot kit, a model glider or an F1 in Schools car teaches you more about friction, weight and tolerances than any textbook.
Learn free CAD software such as Onshape or Fusion for personal use, and design one object you can 3D print.
Aiming for a top UK engineering course? Cambridge and Imperial use the ESAT admissions test, and UniHawk offers ESAT preparation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between mechanical and electrical engineering?
Mechanical engineers work with forces, motion, heat and materials. Electrical engineers work with power, circuits and electronics. Modern machines need both, which is why mechatronics, a mix of the two, is a popular degree.
Which subjects do I need?
Maths and physics. UK universities usually ask for both at A level or equivalent. Chemistry or design and technology are useful extras.
Is it all desk work?
No. Most mechanical engineers split their time between an office, a factory and sites. How much time you spend on site depends on the industry: maintenance and construction roles involve far more than design roles.
Unsure which kind of engineering suits you? The HawkNest career assessment matches your interests and strengths to careers like this one.
More in this series
Sources: O*NET OnLine, Mechanical Engineers; National Careers Service, Mechanical engineer; Engineering Council; IMechE; NCEES; Dubai Municipality; pay from US BLS (May 2025), UK ONS ASHE (2025) and Canada Job Bank (2025), converted at ECB rates of 1 October 2026.
