- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Education Post-secondary degree
- Average salary $74,000 to $133,000
Career profile
Mechanical engineers provide technical support and quality management in the design, evaluation, procurement, modification and installation of mechanical equipment and systems for oil and gas drilling rigs and facilities. They also provide technical support for the operating and maintenance functions required for the reliable, efficient and safe operation of energy facilities.
Mechanical engineers also might conduct research that tests and analyzes the feasibility, design, operations or performance of equipment, components or systems in energy sector.
When you start in this occupation activities may include:
- Conducting research that tests or analyzes the feasibility, design, operation or performance of equipment, components or systems
- Providing technical support for production equipment and processes
- Generating engineering drawings, process flow diagrams and other documentation
- Providing feedback to design engineers on customer problems or needs
- Researching and designing mechanical products, equipment, systems and processes to meet requirements.
As you advance in this occupation, you may take on additional tasks including:
- Mentoring and coaching junior members
- Leading or participating in the conceptual and detailed mechanical equipment design for capital projects
- Developing, coordinating or monitoring all aspects of production (e.g., selecting manufacturing methods)
Education
- A post-secondary degree in mechanical engineering (or a related discipline) from an institution accredited by Engineers Canada is typically required.
Certifications
- Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements
Licensing
- To obtain a license as a professional engineer (P.Eng) you must obtain a degree from an accredited engineering program, pass a professional practice exam and have three or four years of engineering experience, of which one year must be gained in Canada. You must also have Canadian citizenship or proof of permanent residency in Canada.
- Once licensed, engineers receive a seal to stamp their designs and drawings
- Unlicensed engineers must work under the supervision of a P. Eng.
- Travel may be required, but many mechanical engineers also work in head offices
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Shiftwork at oil sands and natural gas processing plants
- Work away from home/in camps for oil sands and natural gas processing plants
Problem-solving, customer service, leadership and organizational skills – these softer skills, in combination with mechanical, math, engineering and design skills, are the hallmark of an effective mechanical engineer.
- Critical thinking
- Mechanics
- Physics
- Attention to detail
- Engineering and technology
- Design
- Selecting equipment
- Analyzing operations
- Evaluating systems
- Judgment and decision making
