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What is the typical work day for a mechanical engineer like?

Given the fact that I am interested in mechanical engineering, I was wondering what a typical day would consist of in that field. I would like to know about the workload and the atmosphere itself. Any words of advice to pursue this would be helpful as well. #help #advice #mechanical-engineer #robotics

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Glenn’s Answer

The answer is that, what a typical day for an ME is based on what type of job you get in Mechanical Engineering. I am in product development, but there are jobs in manufacturing, sales support, field service, HVAC, etc. I also work form companies that bring product from concept to production.


For product development, the daily routine changes over the course of the project. In the early part of a project, it is about getting product definitions and requirements. From their it moves to proof of concept, where you try to determine which path is feasible and meets the product needs. Then we get into determining the architecture of the product, how it goes together. Throughout we work with stakeholders in marketing, manufacturing, and service to align on their needs. Then we start into part design, prototyping, refinement of the design, pilot runs, and production ramp up.


I said a lot in very few words. The cycle can take from 10 months to 5 years for products that I have been involved with. What I like about it is that as we go through the process, the daily routine changes. We are always learning as we are applying new technology all the time.
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Jordan’s Answer

Lots of emails, and lots of meetings. :-) It's sad but true. This post Covid world on Zoom has evolved into many more emails and meeting sync ups, at least in my world it has. But beyond that, my typical day is maybe 2-3 hours of true Engineering, Program Management, Analysis, getting stuff done type of work. Another 2-3 hours of answering critical emails, responding to real time messages, etc. And the remaining 3-4 hours is spent in meetings -- driving down action items, giving stats updates, talking short and long term team and org goals, etc. I typically start work around 7:30 (b/c I don't have to commute anymore), and shut down around 4:30 or 5... mixed with a 30 min lunch, and maybe some exercises randomly. But I also have some night calls and critical things I need to prepare or answer -- which also causes some night emails and time spent after the kids are down.

To get ahead in the Engineering world, it goes a long way to work more than the stereotypical 40 hours per week (8-5); rather, if you can carve out some time to think beyond just the day to day operations, and really advance your work, your career, and maybe even team, that goes a long way. So my time spent at night, with no distractions, is time well spent... I recommend it if your lifestyle will allow it.
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Brandon’s Answer

Hi,

Manufacturing engineer here. I work M-F: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM in a plastics rotomolding facility. In a hot factory. But our office is nice with AC, etc. I install and program robots and help maintenance fix machines all the time. And designing new equipment, upgrades, safety improvements, etc. Then I actually order all the parts for those things, machine/weld them typically myself, build everything, and make improvements and document everything.

Hope this might help.

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