MODULE6: ENGINEERING DESIGN AND CREATIVITY

IMPORTANT SKILLS FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERS

A job as a mechanical engineer can provide great job satisfaction, job security, and a
steady and lucrative income. If you're interested in pursuing a career as a mechanical
engineer, there are several key skills you'll need to develop and hone to be successful
in this position. Top skills for these professionals include problem-solving,
communication, and math skills.

Here we'll explore the definition of mechanical skills, the most important skills needed
by these professionals, how to improve these skills and use them in the workplace,
and how to highlight your mechanical engineering skills on your resume and in
interviews.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SKILLS

Mechanical engineering skills are the skills needed by those in this profession to
perform their job duties effectively and productively. 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:

1. Creativity
Mechanical engineers must have strong creative 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

2. 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 daily 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 conclude 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 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.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SKILLS IN THE WORKPLACE

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.

HOW TO EMPHASIZE YOUR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SKILLS

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.