Careers for Mechatronic Engineers

Though the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not maintain employment or salary data on mechatronics engineers, it does have statistics for the related industries of a mechanical and electrical engineer. According to research at the BLS, demand for these types of professionals should likely experience five percent growth until at least 2022. Moreover, the bureau foresees electrical and electronics engineers to experience four percent growth in their career prospects. In contrast, electrical and electronic engineering technicians will likely see little or no growth over the time period. Based on O*Net salary data, mechatronic engineers earned a median salary of $92,680. In a state comparison for earning potential, the BLS found that mechanical engineering professionals in California earned the highest salary at $112,100. Professionals in Texas received $98,030 in yearly salary compensation. Engineers in New York and Illinois earned approximately $95,020 in pay annually.

Companies like Harris & Bruno have formed partnerships with schools like Sierra College in California to seamlessly integrate students from the classroom to apply their knowledge to real-world mechatronics applications. Markus Fredrickson, a Sierra College student, works part-time in manufacturing at Harris & Bruno. When he first began his education, he did not have a clear direction for his career. However, the collaborative approach of his university and the private enterprise has provided him with direction and a practical outlet for his skills. He described his work with the firm as a seamless experience bridging his classroom education with real-world scenarios. Many of the parts and systems he encountered in his classroom work echoed the very same components and problems he was asked to solve on the job. Ultimately, he found his theoretical and practical education invaluable in facilitating his career advancement. These types of programs reflect the potential for students and companies as they integrate their resources and expertise in growing the industry. This boasts well for both current and prospective professionals in the field and the industry as a whole as more evolutions occur in terms of technology and human resources.
If you would like to learn more about mechatronics or other areas of engineering, contact the schools in our directory to receive more helpful information. We recommend contacting multiple schools to be sure you choose the best one for you!

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Mechanical Engineering Education

 The core curriculum of mechanical engineering at any engineering school accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) consists of:

• Statics: The study of the effect of forces on a stationary body.
• Dynamics: The study of the effect of forces on a moving body.
• Materials Science: The study of the structure of materials on a molecular and atomic level.
• Thermodynamics: The study of heat and its relationship to pressure, density, temperature and work.
• Fluid Dynamics: The study of liquids and gases in motion.
• Heat Transfer: The study of the heat transfer process from one body to another.
• Structural Analysis or Mechanical Design: The study of the effects of loads on a body and its components.
• Kinematics and Dynamics of Machinery: The study of a moving body with and without reference to the cause of its motion.
• Electrical Circuits: The study of amperage or current flow in a closed loop consisting of voltage sources and resistors.
• Instrumentation and Controls: The study of instruments for measurement and controls in modern systems.
• Mechanical Vibrations: The study of machine vibrations.
• Computer Science: The study of the latest computer language and computer-aided design (CAD).

Before these courses can be taken, however, the aspiring mechanical engineer must develop a thorough understanding of the fundamental subjects of calculus, differential equations, partial differential equations, calculus-based physics and chemistry.

All mechanical engineering programs require multiple semesters or quarters of these subjects. These subjects lay the foundation to the understanding of the core curriculum. The mechanical engineering student cannot master the core mechanical engineering concepts without mastering the fundamentals.

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Real Life of Materials Science Engineers

Beyond these statistical realities and potential however, many within the fields of Materials Science and Engineering express substantial personal and professional satisfaction with their work and career. Bringing together the applicable skills of dynamic critical thinking and problems solving with those of analytical research and scientific endeavor, the challenges posed to the working professional often result in an enhanced satisfaction with successful end results in respect to projects and ventures undertaken. In seeing the final real world applications to their research, development and testing of new and existing materials, Material Engineers often find themselves on the cutting edge of scientific discovery and advancement.

Taking for example, the case of NASA engineer Clara Wright, the pliable skills learned while studying Material Science and Engineering have given Ms. Wright substantial personal fulfillment, in addition to her remarkable career. Being possessed since her youth with an interest in puzzles and problem solving, Wright gravitated naturally towards the field of material science and engineering. Upon completing her degree, Wright first entered the field of bio-medical research, assisting with the design and development of prosthetic limbs for amputees. Later, Wright took a position at NASA working as a materials engineer, studying materials in use by the space program. In July of 2014, Wright was profiled for NASA’s website, in an effort to highlight both her contributions to the space program, while also the interest and dedication to Material Science and Engineering which brought her to work there.

"I'm very passionate about being a materials engineer," Wright said. "It’s a very fulfilling career particularly at Kennedy because every investigation is unique. It is greatly gratifying to say that I am one of a handful of people in the world who get to work on hardware that is going to the International Space Station, has been in the vacuum of space or is part of the launch structures."

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What is the focus of a Marine Engineering degree?

During the course of obtaining a marine engineering degree, you will learn how to apply the principles of engineering to systems that help seafaring vessels, docks and other aquatic entities function. This may include designing and evaluating propulsion and power supply systems to assist communication and navigational devices, engines, foul-weather gear and many other types of marine tools. Becoming a marine engineer takes time, patience, dedication, and commitment to your studies.

You can study for a bachelor's, master's or Ph.D. in marine engineering, which will prepare you to design and evaluate sea-faring vessels and other equipment while on land. Alternatively, you can enroll in the United States Merchant Marines Academy and learn how to operate and care for a ship’s equipment with one of three degrees: Marine Engineering, Marine Engineering Systems, and Marine Engineering.

While every engineering school has slightly different requirements, in general, undergraduate applicants should have completed high school with excellent advanced science and math course grades. High ACT or SAT test scores are also helpful when applying for a program in marine engineering.

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Working Life of an Industrial Engineer

Depending upon the specific tasks they are performing, industrial engineers work both in offices and in the settings they are working to improve. If they are observing problems, for instance, they may watch workers assemble parts in a factory, or staff performing their functions in hospitals. When solving problems, industrial engineers may work in an office at a computer, where they examine data that they themselves, or others, have gathered. Industrial engineers may need to travel for work in order to observe processes and make assessments in various work settings. In 2012, the industries that employed the greatest number of industrial engineers were: aerospace product and parts manufacturing, machinery manufacturing, architectural, engineering, and related services, motor vehicle parts manufacturing, and management of companies and enterprises. Industrial engineers need good interpersonal skills to be able to work alongside other professionals and serve as a bridge between the technical and business sides of an organization.

Recently, the University of Chicago conducted a study to obtain information about job satisfaction in the United States. Although job and career are not the only determinants of overall happiness and life satisfaction, they do contribute substantially to an individual’s sense of well-being. According to the study, the occupation “industrial engineer” was among the top ten careers associated with general happiness. In fact, it ranked ninth. When compensation for these top-ten careers was examined, “industrial engineers” ranked third.
When looking at the reported reasons for happiness, i.e. creativity, use of expertise, helping others, it is easy to understand why industrial engineers ranked in the top ten careers for happiness. IEs are trained to use quantitative and non-quantitative expertise in creative was to improve processes and products while making jobs easier and more efficient.

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Main Focus of an Environmental Engineer

Engineers are the world's lifeline to everything that defines our civilization, not unlike the Romans with their aqueducts, toilets, and sewer systems. Environmental engineering is a critical career field that helps keep our planet inhabitable and sustainable.

If you are considering embarking on a career dedicated to environmental engineering, there are many facets of your education that will come into play, and the more you know now, the better engineer you will be.

Your role as an environmental engineer will involve providing safe and plentiful water supplies, developing systems for reducing pollutants in air, water and hazardous wastes; anticipating the effects of contaminants' transport, and correcting improper disposal situations where hazardous materials are concerned.

As an environmental engineer, you will seek solutions to public health threats, improvements in and adherence to the law surrounding sanitation and construction, waste disposal, recycling, industrial hygiene, and environmental sustainability.

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Professional Associations for Electrical Engineers

 Electrical engineering has been at the forefront of every technological gain of the past century. This growth is perhaps most evident in the development of today's increasingly smaller transistors, as the number of components placed with an integrated circuit doubles continuously.

Enabling all other technologies and far outpacing them in development speed, electrical engineering has increasing demand and positive career possibilities for qualified professionals.

Electrical engineers earn $87,180 yearly on average, according to U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

A basic market pricing report was composed using data from a Salary.com survey of employers through all industries. This report showed $61,740 as a typical entry-level salary for an electrical engineer in the U.S.

Another report issued by Florida State University showed electrical engineers as ranking fifth nationally in 2010-2011 with salaries beginning at $60,800 and reaching $104,000

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