Do mechanical engineers only work in plants

Mechanical Engineers work everywhere there are things being built, or machines are being utilized. The MEs in the field do a lot of trouble-shooting and direct repair/refurbishment of previously designed equipment. There are MEs in factories that design new products, truck axles, for example. There are MEs in factories that work closely with Industrial/Manufacturing Engineers to design, build and implement processes, assembly lines and special equipment. There is virtually no place in business and industry where equipment is used that Mechanical Engineers are absent.

In my 23 years of experience as an Industrial/Manufacturing engineer as well as a machinist, I worked with many mechanical engineers for designing and implementing tooling for everything from contact lens making to building giant assembly tools for military transports.

Good Luck!