Mechanical Engineer
Apply physics and mechanics to design machines, tools and moving systems used across every industry.
A day in the life
Draw up CAD designs, choose materials, run stress and thermal calculations, and visit factories to check prototypes.
Typical route
Helpful A-levels
Physics + Maths
Typical qualification and training
- Accredited Mechanical Engineering degree
- Engineering graduate scheme or degree apprenticeship
These are common routes, not compulsory subject combinations. Entry requirements vary between universities, training schemes and employers, so always check the current provider requirements.
Indicative UK salary
- Starter
- £25,000-£31,000
- Experienced
- £38,000-£55,000
- Senior
- £65,000+
Salaries vary widely with sector and chartership.
Salary range checked against Prospects.ac.uk: Mechanical Engineer.
UK employers
- Siemens
- Jaguar Land Rover
- Arup
- Renishaw
Worldwide employers
- Siemens (global)
- Toyota
- Tesla
- ABB
Useful route links
These links are good starting points for courses, apprenticeships, graduate routes and professional training. They open the official or specialist sites rather than another summary page.
Key skills
Explore related careers
Sources and further reading
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