What is mechanical engineering?

Sean Carron, combustion, heat transfer, fluids, machines, control

I have hired many engineers over the past 20 years and the two things
that I tell a fresh graduate is that the greatest skill you have to offer me is
your ability to read and comprehend technical topics very quickly. For
many years I have questioned why we need to divide engineering
education into different groups - civil, mechanical, electrical, mining,
petroleum etc… In my province (BC) we are legally allowed to practice
engineering in areas we have proven competence. Being a mechanical
engineer does not mean that I am competent in HVAC design or aircraft
design. It also does not mean that I am incompetent in Electrical systems
design. Once you have an engineering degree, all you have proven is that
you can learn technical subjects quickly. The real learning starts on your
first day of work. Some of our best process (chemical) engineers are
mechanical engineers because they have an excellent grasp of
thermodynamics, fluids, heat transfer etc… Similarly, I have seen some
very good structural engineers (typically civil) that had mechanical
engineering degrees. Mechanical engineers make great controls engineers
as they understand the mechanical and process aspects of the system and
we also learn most aspects of electrical circuits. Many of our best
“programmers” are mechanical engineers where you would have
expected a computer or electrical engineer. I used to design building
systems and was forced to learn about building codes, mechanical
systems and electrical systems. I was equally comfortable specifying
beams as I was specifying high voltage feeders or plumbing waste stacks.
Having hired many different engineers over my career, I have learned
that mechanical engineers are generally the most well rounded and can do
just about anything with suitable training and mentorship. I personally
think that we should only have one engineering degree and that it should
be based on mechanical engineering. Once you graduate and follow a
certain path, then you can take more specialized course for a particular
field. I have also hired many technologists who generally get more
specialized training in one field; however, I find their ability to expand
beyond their base is limited. Sure they know the new lingo and hit the
ground running but they stall pretty quick once the technology or
conditions change. Young engineers are generally more broad but can
quickly grasp the lingo and concepts.

Another very important aspect is that engineering is a self-regulated

profession. As a profession, we are held to very high standards. After
university, we only get two grades. The bridge either stands up or it falls
down. The plane either flies or it crashes. If we screw up, people can die.
We are not allowed to make mistakes. How is it possible that anyone can
get 100% every time. It is very simple, we use proven codes, standards
and methods. We use checkers and stringent approval processes. We are
registered with the government and take an oath to protect the public and
put them above all else. When we stamp a drawing, we are saying that
people can bet their lives on our work. We are expected to know and
follow the applicable codes and if we deviate from them, we better be
able to defend it in court. When you read a code - for example NFPA 85
code for boilers, - it makes reference to every discipline of engineering
from civil to mechanical to electrical and controls. We are expected to
fully comprehend and translate the requirements into specifications that
can be relied upon for the construction of a system that is safe, reliable
and cost effective. So in essence, engineers are also technical lawyers.
Our job is to understand technical requirements embodied in codes and
standards and protect the public. We are held to very high ethical
standards. This often brings conflict and forces us to ponder philosophy.
Is it ethical for an engineer to develop weapons that could be used to kill
children. Is it ethical for an engineer to design machines that contribute to
global warming. We are faced with these questions every day.

In many ways mechanical engineers are the engine of society. We create

and build the systems that everyone relies upon. If someone asks where
power comes from and their initial thoughts are the electrical outlet, then
we smile and think about all the massive infrastructure that was created
by engineers to support power getting to the outlet.

Being a mechanical engineer can be very fulfilling. Indirectly you touch

many lives and solve problems that benefit society. I am not suggesting
mechanical engineering is altruistic but there is definitely an element of
philosophy embodied in our profession.

I started university at 16 with extreme naivety and just took mechanical

engineering because I liked cars. I now look back on my life and career
and feel extremely fortunate and truly believe I could not have picked a
better profession.

So the short answer to what is mechanical engineering is that it can be

whatever you want. You are given a toolbox of knowledge that lets you
do anything or go anywhere that your heart desires. How you use the
tools is up to you.