Mechanical Engineering as a Career Path: Reasons, Job Prospects & Opportunities Explored

Engineering is regarded as one of the most sought after career options in India. Working across several industries, engineering graduates handle a vast array of operations from development and production to quality check and distribution. From banks to the automobile industry to IT firms – engineers are required in every domain, today.

Like any other, the manufacturing sector also encompasses a skill set required for production and development. This demands a great deal of specialized knowledge and expertise. Hence, mechanical engineers come to the rescue here. 

The manufacturing or mechanical engineers are recruited by all kinds of organizations which manufacture a variety of machines, robotics and other equipment. Responsibility for layout, production planning and control, as well as maintenance is also a vital job responsibility that mechanical engineers undertake.

Defining Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering deals with the construction, design, repair, and modification of machines. The general idea behind this manufacturing/technological field is the understanding and knowledge of how heavy tools and machinery work. From building the simplest to the most sophisticated machines, mechanical engineers play a significant role in the industrial and technological development of the modern era.

Students pursuing a study in this field are taught all aspects of machines – from fluid mechanics to thermodynamics, kinematics, and even robotics. The study deals with the in-depth knowledge in design/production of tools, machines, and all other mechanical equipment used in manufacturing industries. 

The domain offers specializations in areas like thermal engineering, design, and production engineering. Mechanical engineers get placed in on-field, administrative and managerial positions in government departments or public/private industries. They can also opt for technical sales/marketing or work as an independent consultant for many manufacturing-based organizations.

Why Choose Mechanical Engineering?

According to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow in India's diverse mechanical engineering industries from April 2000 to December 2019 stood at around US$ 3.63 billion. This report is generated as per data released by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

The manufacturing engineering division in India attracts tremendous interest from foreign players and enjoys an advantage in terms of costs, technology, regulatory policies and innovation.

The report also states that the turnover of the capital goods industry in India's engineering market expects an increase to US$ 115.17 billion by 2025F. 

Make In India: An Increased Opportunity for Mechanical Engineers

Make in India has been an enthusiastic initiative launched by the Government of India to attract domestic manufacturing businesses. The step is taken to enhance the manufacturing share in India's GDP from the current 15 per cent to 25 per cent by 2025. 

Since manufacturing is one of the highest employment generating sectors, it has been of current focus through skill and industrial development. 

In order to achieve this target, the government has adopted a mix of policies for ease of doing business in India through good governance and scaling up infrastructural development - eventually multiplying the role and opportunities for mechanical engineers.

Career Prospects

Mechanical engineering forms the core of engineering. Take any sector; mechanical engineers can just fit to create and build. Almost all corporations in the government sector recruit a massive number of mechanical engineers, thus always standing a chance to land in a suitable job.

• Opportunities in India's top PSUs 

The Public Sector Undertaking companies carry out recruitment drives almost every year to employ a large number of mechanical engineers.

Mechanical engineers are responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of their machinery, look after the technical aspects while fixing on-field problems. The primary line of work of all these PSUs requires the expertise of mechanical engineers.

• Job in Indian Railways 

Every year, Railways absorb a vast number of mechanical engineers for both their junior and senior executive posts. The job profile involves supervising engine production and maintenance, site supervision, and so on. 

Government policies continue to feed Railways with a higher budget and more infrastructure and hence the job opportunities will continue to scale up for mechanical engineers here. 

A B.Tech degree in Mechanical Engineering can form your technical knowledge base and place you right ahead in the queue for a job in railways.

• Job Scope in Indian Army

Mechanical engineers in the Army are generally responsible for overseeing the adequate condition and maintenance of the machinery. 

Indian Army recruits mechanical engineers for all their branches. The incentives and salaries are indescribable along with job security. India is currently shooting up its defence at an exponential rate and will soon have a massive demand for mechanical graduates.

• Opportunities in Science and beyond

Right from sending satellites to planning for a human-crewed Moon mission, organizations such as Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) or Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO), need a reliable team of mechanical engineers. 

The expertise of the mechanical engineers here will come handy to operate the robots that assemble the involved machinery in the space shuttle.

To wrap up, the only decision you need to make right now is to choose the perfect college. Especially the colleges that teach you the technical skills that are needed by industries. Carefully note the program curriculum of different colleges and make your choices accordingly.  Aim it right and prepare well!