Mechanical Engineers in the Workplace

Regardless of the skills shortages, we are currently facing in South Africa, engineering is a booming industry in our country. Practically every company that designs and manufactures a product employs a mechanical engineer. But mechanical engineers can also be found in research labs, government, and in another line of work such as medicine, law, or teaching.

Mechanical Engineers work in many different settings, most often as a matter of choice and career planning. They differ in the type of workplace, the problems to be solved, and the work schedule. Some mechanical engineers work in design centers and headquarters facilities of high-tech companies; some prefer working in the field, and some travel overseas to serve clients and to develop new markets for products and services. There's a good chance that you won't spend all your waking hours sitting at a workstation.

Mechanical Engineers don’t really have a typical day in the workplace. The issues and challenges are numerous and evolve throughout the project. It is difficult to characterize a typical day under these circumstances. It takes more than technical knowledge to be a good mechanical engineer; you need attributes like thinking out of the box, dealing with difficult situations and the list goes on, to complement your practical ability.

Problem-solving mentality
Mechanical engineers thrive on solving difficult problems. These are not only technical problems, mechanical engineers deal with management requirements, unique customer needs, budget, and legal constraints, environmental and social issues, as well as changes in technology. It is the mechanical engineers' training in mathematics, the sciences, engineering fundamentals, and computer applications that provide them the ability to anticipate and respond to change. For the working engineer, the key is staying up to date with emerging technologies.

Most mechanical engineering jobs require design experience. When a need comes about for a new or better product, companies call upon mechanical engineers to do the job. Engineers have to push beyond the limits of their previous work knowledge and use modern technology to meet project requirements successfully.

Environmental issues
Mechanical engineers can also create the controlled indoor environment that people need in order to work in comfort. Factors such as humidity, temperature, and cleanliness of the air in the workplace are monitored, adjusted, and controlled by these engineers.

Mechanical engineers are also involved in the social responsibility of engineers and engineering organizations, which includes effective development issues such as:

• water supply and sanitation,
• cleaner production and recycling,
• energy efficiency and conservation, renewable energy and clean coal technology,
• emergencies and disaster preparedness and response including urban security,
• post disaster and conflict restoration, rehabilitation and reconstruction and
• engaging engineers in decision-making, policy-making, and planning.

Diversity
Engineering continues to grow in terms of the gender, ethnicity, and national origins of students and graduates entering the engineering workforce. The workplace constantly changing and one needs to have the skill to adapt to different work environments and be able to work with different people from different backgrounds, ages, and gender.

Professionalism
Professionalism is supposed to be a given attribute, but fraud and corruption are affecting the ethos of the engineering industry and ultimately our country. Being trustworthy and not taking bribes are rare skills to have nowadays. One indication of a true professional is the existence of a code of ethics and a clear sense of professional responsibility and loyalty.
For that reason the South African Institution of Mechanical Engineering exists to serve the interests and needs of its members, to advance the science and practice of mechanical engineering, and to promote high standards in the profession.

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