Occupation Details

Mechanical Engineer

Education
Most of these occupations require qualifications at NFQ Levels 7 or 8 (Ordinary / Honours Degrees) but some do not.

Related Experience
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, you may need to complete three - four years of college and work for several years in the career area to be considered qualified.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Job Zone Examples
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include accountants, sales managers, computer programmers, chemists, environmental engineers, criminal investigators, and financial analysts.

€25k > 65

Mechanical Engineer
Salary Range (thousands per year)*
	€25 - 65
Related Information:
	Mechanical Design Engineer: 25 - 60 Mechanical Engineer: 25 - 65 Mechanical Engineer - Construction 35-65 HVAC Engineer 30-65
Data Source(s):
	Sigmar / CPL / Hudson / Lincoln Last Updated: July, 2017
* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

Employment growth in this occupational group, which includes mechanical, electrical and electronic engineers, was above average. Employers are frequently citing these occupations as difficult to fill although the demand is likely to be small in number given the size of the employment stock. While the supply from the education system appears to be growing, demand is mostly for roles requiring sector-specific experience (e.g. medium-high, high-tech and food/beverage manufacturing).

National Skills Bulletin 2018

Occupational Category

Other Engineering Specialities

Also included in this category:

Mechanical engineers; Electrical engineers; Electronics engineers; Engineering professionals n.e.c.; Science & engineering technicians; Laboratory technicians; Electrical and electronics technicians; Engineering technicians; Quality assurance technicians;

Number Employed:

4,200

Part time workers:	1%
Non-Nationals:	16%
With Third Level:	79%

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At a Glance... header image

Performs engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment.

Videos & Interviews header image

1Total Records:7

Natasha Ibanez
Mechanical Engineer
Natasha Ibanez has a Bachelors of Engineering from UCD, where she specialised in Mechanical Engineering. She is currently working on a project in the Ukraine with Irish Cement, building a new cement line.
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Gillian Cagney
Mechanical Engineer
Gillian Cagney explains how her engineering career journey has brought her from mastering hands-on skills to team building, management and problem solving in major engineering projects often in challenging wilderness environments. Don’t fear the unknown and you will discover who you are.
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Elva Bannon
Mechatronic Engineer
Elva talks here about her role as a Mechatronic Engineer at ocean energy company Wavebob.
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Damien Mason
Mechanical Engineer
Damien Mason studied Mechanical Engineering in the University of Limerick. He is now working as a Mechanical Engineer for Irish Cement and is based in Drogheda.
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Megan Walsh
Mechanical Engineer

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Peter LaComber
Consulting Engineer
Peter LaComber graduated from UCD as a Mechanical Engineer and is working as a Senior Consulting Engineer for Irish Cement. He has held a variety of roles over the last 11 years in the company and is now Plant Liaison Manager for the Kiln 3 construction project in Drogheda.
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Brendan Cavanagh
Ships Engineer
Brendan is currently a second engineer operating out of Killybegs in Donegal. He completed his Leaving Cert in Carndonagh Community School in 2001. He has studied several courses at the National Fisheries College and expects to complete his Class 1 Certificate next year.
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Follow the links below to watch videos related to this occupation:

Note: you will be leaving the CareersPortal Site

Aircraft Maintenance & Engineering - from: Aer Lingus [Video]

Central Engineering & Mechanisms - from: icould [UK] Video

Mechanical Engineer - from: icould [UK] Video

Mechanical Engineer - from: iCould [UK] Video

Search YouTube for Mechanical Engineer videos

Tasks & Activities header image

The following is a list of the most commonly reported tasks and activities for this occupation

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Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports.

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Assist drafters in developing the structural design of products using drafting tools or computer-assisted design (CAD) or drafting equipment and software.

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Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, and maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems and processes to meet requirements, applying knowledge of engineering principles.

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Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.

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Recommend design modifications to eliminate machine or system malfunctions.

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Conduct research that tests or analyzes the feasibility, design, operation, or performance of equipment, components, or systems.

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Investigate equipment failures and difficulties to diagnose faulty operation, and to make recommendations to maintenance crew.

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Develop and test models of alternate designs and processing methods to assess feasibility, operating condition effects, possible new applications and necessity of modification.

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Develop, coordinate, or monitor all aspects of production, including selection of manufacturing methods, fabrication, or operation of product designs.

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Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design and performance specifications.

Work Activities header image

The following is a list of the most commonly reported work activities in this occupation.

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Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

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Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

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Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

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Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

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Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

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Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

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Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

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Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

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Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

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Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Knowledge

The following is a list of the five most commonly reported knowledge areas for this occupation.

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Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

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Design: Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

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Mechanical: Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

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Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

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Physics: Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.

Skills

The following is a list of the most commonly reported skills used in this occupation.

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Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.

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Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

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Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

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Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

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Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

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Operations Analysis: Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.

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Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

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Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

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Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

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Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Entry Routes header image

Mechanical Engineers typically complete an appropriate engineering degree or equivalent qualification.

It is essential to explore course details to make sure the engineering course you chose is appropriate to the branch of engineering you want to follow.

Depending on level of entry, Mechanical Engineers can gain Chartered Engineer or Associate Engineer status. You can apply for these professional titles through Engineers Ireland after first gaining an accredited degree, diploma or certificate, followed by three or four years experience in the workplace. A list of accredted programmes is available here. All professional titles are highly regarded by employers throughout industry.

Last Updated: October, 2014

Further Information header image