Introduction
The broad nature of a Mechanical Engineering degree means graduates are employable in a broad range of industries (not limited to) ranging from renewable energy technologies, nuclear energy, offshore, high tech manufacturing, aerospace, oil and gas, subsea, power generation, automotive and design, robotics, medicine, transportation, sports and consultancy. As the degree here at the University of Dundee is accredited by the Institution for Mechanical Engineers (IMECHE) this provides you the opportunity to combine your graduate career to become a chartered engineer. This qualification demonstrates your excellence as an engineer and makes you widely employable.
The transferable skills you learn in IT, problem solving, mathematical, design, team working and communication means you can work in an industry unrelated to your degree pathway.
Examples of non-engineering graduate routes include working in Professional Business Services, Finance, Banking, Accountancy and IT. Teaching at all levels including secondary school, college or with a PhD, pursuing a career as a University Lecturer is also a choice made by some Mechanical Engineering graduates.
Skills
Looking more closely at the skills you will gain from this specific degree, Prospects (2023), which will be useful in the recruitment process for internships and graduate opportunities:
- Advanced problem-solving ability using logic, creative and innovative approaches
- Highly numerate, excellent analytical ability and strong IT skills
- Effective teamworking and communication skills
- An awareness of the wider context including for example health & safety, sustainability and cost/ benefit analysis among other professional areas. Developing commercial awareness has also been highlighted by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMECHE) as another key skill to boost your employability.
- Project management skills, accepting responsibility and strong attention to detail
What subject or topics will you learn within your degree that make you employable?
The 4-year programme has a general engineering 1st year with 2 practical based engineering project modules, where students gain practical applied experience in additive manufacturing, computer aided design and robotics. Practical design projects working on industry relevant topics, using software and dedicated equipment commonly used in various industries.
In 2nd year a partnership with Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc, gives the students an opportunity to develop engineering practical skills in the newly formed skills academy. Year 3 students have an opportunity to work with one of the industries connected through the industrial advisory board and a Problem-Solving Industrial Visit. A 12-week project working with industry that students often gain a summer placement and employment with after the project completes.
In 3rd year students also have the option to choose a pathway of core BEng Mechanical Engineering, to specialise computing, data, robotics, control systems, materials, design, manufacturing, simulations, and mechatronic systems or BEng Mechanical Engineering with Renewables. For this pathway students will learn about students learn about, computing, solar energy, control systems, materials, design, wind and marine energy, simulations, and hydroelectricity though water resources and development module.
How do I become a Chartered Mechanical Engineer?
Both BEng Mechanical Engineering & BEng Mechanical Engineering with Renewables are accredited by the Institution for Mechanical Engineers (IMECHE). There are various qualification that can be added through the IMECHE, however, graduates from University of Dundee typically apply for the Chartered Engineer (CEng). To achieve this qualification there are specific criteria as set out by the Engineering Council in terms of academic qualifications, professional experience and competence. Further information.
Typical Graduate roles for Mechanical Engineers:
From the broad range of industries listed above, graduates can take up a series of jobs, often gaining experience for a few years and then moving roles to be within a different team or company. Typically, the structure involves been part of a small team to gain experience, then moving onto senior roles to project manage or perhaps even lead the business.
Graduates that specialise in smaller industries may take on a number of different roles and this can be a great way to gain a lot of experience quickly. Other graduates entering a graduate programme in a large multi-national industry follow a structured pathway gaining experience in various departments before deciding which role is more suitable to their career.
Typical graduate job titles include:
- Aerospace Engineer
- Automotive Engineer
- CAD Technical Engineer
- CFD Simulation Engineer
- Control Instrumentation Engineer
- Design Engineer
- Environmental Engineer
- Floating Offshore Wind Engineer
- Maintenance Engineer
- Manufacturing Engineer
- Materials Engineer
- Mechanical & Energy Engineer
- Nuclear Engineer
- Oil & Gas Test Engineer
- Product Design / Control Engineer
- QA Test Automation Engineer
- R & D Product Design Engineer
- Renewable Heat Engineer
- Robotics Research Engineer
- Simulation and Modelling Engineer
- Subsea Engineer
targetjobs has a great range of graduate engineer job descriptions and similarly Prospects has a number of engineering job profiles to do further careers research.
Examples of where University of Dundee Mechanical Engineering Graduates work
Typically graduates gain jobs in a local industry that specialise in manufacturing, design etc. Local companies (short description of company overview included) that are also connected globally where students have gained employment are:
- Argenta Dundee Ltd: manufacturing pharmaceutical for advancing animal health.
- Baker Hughes: leading in taking energy forward, making it safer, cleaner, and more efficient for people and the planet.
- Coastal Renewable Service Ltd (Dundee): specialise in bespoke energy solutions using wind turbines.
- Dover Fuelling Systems: develops industry-leading fuel dispensing equipment, electronic systems, automatic tank.
- Finesse Control Systems: providing complete range of engineering services from Concept Development to Decommissioning. Design & Manufacture
- Foodmek: manufacturer of food processing machinery.
- MEP Technologies: developing innovative solution for battery manufacturing.
- NCR Corporation: specialises in developing hardware, software for banking, small & international businesses.
- Rautomead: continuous casting technology
- Rexroth: developing solutions for factory automation, mobile application and machinery.
- Trend Technologies: integrated mechanical solutions provider specializing in the areas of metal stamping, metal fabrication, injection molding and high-level.
- WL Gore: developing innovative tech for subsea and space exploration.
Some graduates work for larger multinational companies, a few examples include:
- Babcock
- BP
- Dyson
- HSBC
- Rolls-Royce
- Shell
- Sony
Where to search for work experience, internships and graduate roles:
There are a few websites commonly used for graduate mechanical engineers to search for jobs both locally, within the UK and internationally. Please note this list of weblinks is a starting point and is not exhaustive. If you are struggling with your internship or graduate job search, speak to your Careers Adviser:
Saltire Scholarships Internships: world-class internship programme offers university students in their penultimate and final year of study commercially valuable, fully remunerated internship opportunities in Scotland and all over the world.
Websites that focus on relation to the renewable energy job market, internationally, locally
Further reading and useful links:
As there are a range of opportunities available for graduates it is worth spending some time reading broadly in relation to how the skills and knowledge you have learned are transferable.