Mechanical Engineer

NOC (National Occupational Classification)

  • NOC 2132 Mechanical Engineer

Who am I?

Mechanical Engineers research, design and develop machinery and systems for heating, ventilating and air conditioning and refrigeration. They also focus on also evaluating, installation, operation and maintenance of mechanical systems. Mechanical engineers are usually employed by consulting firms or manufacturing companies or may be self-employed.

Other Titles

Energy Conservation Engineer
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Engineer
Mechanical Maintenance Engineer
Piping Engineer
Refrigeration Engineer

Essential Skills

Essential Skills are not the technical skills required by particular occupations but rather the skills applied in all occupations. These skills provide the foundation for learning all other skills and apply to careers in HVACR. See Employment and Social Development Canada for more details.

The most important Essential Skills for Mechanical Engineers are:

  • Numeracy – Collection of data and development of statistics to describe equipment and system functionality such as calculation of the volume of rooms to identify the level of ventilation required to meet acceptable air quality standards.
  • Thinking Skills – Critical thinking skills are used in problem solving. Analyzing data, formulating and investigating hypotheses to find the source of the problems.

What do I do?


As a Mechanical Engineer you may do some of the following:

  • Conduct research into the feasibility, design, operation and performance of mechanisms, components and HVACR systems
  • Plan and manage projects, and prepare material, cost and timing estimates, reports and design specifications for machinery and systems
  • Design machines, components, fixtures and equipment
  • Analyze dynamics and vibrations of mechanical systems and structures
  • Supervise and inspect the installation, modification and commissioning of mechanical systems at construction sites or in industrial facilities
  • Develop maintenance standards, schedules and programs and provide guidance to industrial maintenance crews
  • Investigate mechanical failures or unexpected maintenance problems.

Education/Training

  • A bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required (depending on position, a master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required)
  • Licensing by a provincial or territorial Association of Professional Engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practice as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.)
  • Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.