Mechanical Engineers
Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.
- Tasks
- 28 tasks16 core, 12 supplemental
- Family
- Architecture & EngineeringOne of its 59 occupations
- Code
- 17-2141.00SOC 2018: 17-2141
What the work is made of
16 core tasks and 12 supplemental, each quoted as published, with the survey it came from.
Core: central to the jobSupplemental: done by some, not all
- Task 1. Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports.Core taskTask 1411Rated by 85 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 2. Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, or maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems or processes to meet requirements.Core taskTask 20733Rated by 85 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 3. Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design, performance specifications, or environmental regulations.Core taskTask 20736Rated by 85 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 4. Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.Core taskTask 1412Rated by 85 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 5. Investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and recommend remedial actions.Core taskTask 20734Rated by 85 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 6. Recommend design modifications to eliminate machine or system malfunctions.Core taskTask 1421Rated by 85 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 7. Research and analyze customer design proposals, specifications, manuals, or other data to evaluate the feasibility, cost, or maintenance requirements of designs or applications.Core taskTask 1413Rated by 85 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 8. Provide technical customer service.Core taskTask 20741Rated by 85 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 9. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, or repair to ensure that machines or equipment are installed and functioning according to specifications.Core taskTask 1419Rated by 84 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 10. Assist drafters in developing the structural design of products, using drafting tools or computer-assisted drafting equipment or software.Core taskTask 20737Rated by 84 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 11. Conduct research that tests or analyzes the feasibility, design, operation, or performance of equipment, components, or systems.Core taskTask 1420Rated by 84 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 12. Develop or test models of alternate designs or processing methods to assess feasibility, sustainability, operating condition effects, potential new applications, or necessity of modification.Core taskTask 20735Rated by 85 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 13. Provide feedback to design engineers on customer problems or needs.Core taskTask 1418Rated by 85 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 14. Write performance requirements for product development or engineering projects.Core taskTask 1429Rated by 83 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 15. Estimate costs or submit bids for engineering, construction, or extraction projects.Core taskTask 20738Rated by 85 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 16. Develop, coordinate, or monitor all aspects of production, including selection of manufacturing methods, fabrication, or operation of product designs.Core taskTask 1423Rated by 84 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 17. Design integrated mechanical or alternative systems, such as mechanical cooling systems with natural ventilation systems, to improve energy efficiency.Supplemental taskTask 19628Rated by 85 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 18. Calculate energy losses for buildings, using equipment such as computers, combustion analyzers, or pressure gauges.Supplemental taskTask 19627Rated by 85 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 19. Recommend the use of utility or energy services that minimize carbon footprints.Supplemental taskTask 19631Rated by 85 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 20. Perform personnel functions, such as supervision of production workers, technicians, technologists, or other engineers.Supplemental taskTask 20739Rated by 83 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 21. Apply engineering principles or practices to emerging fields, such as robotics, waste management, or biomedical engineering.Supplemental taskTask 1430Rated by 84 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 22. Direct the installation, operation, maintenance, or repair of renewable energy equipment, such as heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) or water systems.Supplemental taskTask 19629Rated by 85 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 23. Select or install combined heat units, power units, cogeneration equipment, or trigeneration equipment that reduces energy use or pollution.Supplemental taskTask 19632Rated by 85 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 24. Evaluate mechanical designs or prototypes for energy performance or environmental impact.Supplemental taskTask 19630Rated by 84 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 25. Study industrial processes to maximize the efficiency of equipment applications, including equipment placement.Supplemental taskTask 20742Rated by 85 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 26. Design test control apparatus or equipment or develop procedures for testing products.Supplemental taskTask 1431Rated by 85 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 27. Establish or coordinate the maintenance or safety procedures, service schedule, or supply of materials required to maintain machines or equipment in the prescribed condition.Supplemental taskTask 1427Rated by 85 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 28. Solicit new business.Supplemental taskTask 20740Rated by 82 people who do the job, August 2024
Where this comes from
Quoted from the U.S. Department of Labor, and credited. Nothing on this page is written by us.
How we copy and credit sources- Published byO*NET 29.0, U.S. Department of LaborEmployment and Training Administration
- ClassificationStandard Occupational Classification 2018, 17-2141
- LicenseCC BY 4.0Free to copy and reuse, with credit
- Changed by usNothing.
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