Mechanical Engineers

Application Engineer

Design Engineer

Equipment Engineer

Mechanical Design Engineer

Mechanical Designer

Mechanical Engineer

Product Development Engineer

Product Engineer

Project Engineer

Test Engineer

What is a Mechanical Engineer?

Mechanical engineers are professionals who design, analyze, and manufacture mechanical systems and devices. They apply principles of mechanics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, materials science, and structural analysis to create solutions that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of machines and processes. Operating within a broad range of industries, mechanical engineers may work on products as diverse as engines, HVAC systems, robotics, manufacturing equipment, and consumer electronics. Their role involves extensive problem-solving, requiring a deep understanding of physics and mathematics, along with creativity and innovative thinking. Mechanical engineers often collaborate with other engineering disciplines to deliver complex projects and ensure that devices meet safety standards, perform reliably, and fulfill customer requirements. They may also engage in research and development to innovate new technologies, improve existing products, or make manufacturing processes more efficient. As technology advances, mechanical engineers are increasingly tasked with integrating modern tools such as computer-aided design (CAD) software and robotics into their workflows. Overall, mechanical engineering is a vital field that contributes significantly to technological progress and improved quality of life.

Job Outlook

Projected salary and job growth

$64560.0 - $157470.0

This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Finding local jobs...

Assessment

Related assessments and tests

No assessment available.

Related Occupations

Tasks

Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports.
Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, or maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems or processes to meet requirements.
Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design, performance specifications, or environmental regulations.
Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.
Investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and recommend remedial actions.

Technology Skills

Analytical or scientific software
Instant messaging software
- Blink (Chrome Engine)
Computer aided design CAD software
Development environment software
Object or component oriented development software
- C++23
- Perl
- Python 3
- R

Tools Used

Semiconductor process systems
Flowmeters
Signal generators
- Function generators
- Pattern generators
Machine mounts or vibration isolators
- Vibration control systems
- Vibration isolators
Voltage comparator integrated circuits
- Analog to digital converters
- Digital to analog converters

Knowledge

Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

2146 Active Jobs in South Africa

Avg Salary: R55,561pm

How to Know if You Are Ready to be a Mechanical Engineer in South Africa

Mechanical engineering is the backbone of South Africa’s industrial strength, from the mines of the North West to the automotive hubs of the Eastern Cape. With 2126 active jobs currently in the market and an average monthly salary of R55,561pm, the profession offers both stability and significant growth potential. Recent data shows a healthy upward trend in compensation, with senior roles and specialised sectors reaching averages of over R61,000 per month as of late 2024.

Is Mechanical Engineering Right for Me? (Psychometric Checklist)

Before committing to the years of rigorous study required, reflect on whether you possess these core traits and cognitive preferences:

Analytical Logic: Do you naturally look at a machine or a process and try to deconstruct how its individual components interact?
Mathematical Proficiency: Are you comfortable using complex calculations to solve real-world physical problems?
Spatial Awareness: Can you visualise three-dimensional objects and how they move through space based on a 2D drawing?
Practical Problem-Solving: Do you enjoy "getting your hands dirty" to fix things, or do you prefer theoretical abstract concepts? Engineering requires both.
Meticulous Attention to Detail: In this field, a decimal point error can lead to structural failure. Do you take pride in the precision of your work?
Collaborative Spirit: Modern engineering is a team sport. You must be able to communicate technical data to non-technical stakeholders and work alongside diverse teams.

A Day in the Life: The South African Context

In South Africa, the daily life of a Mechanical Engineer is rarely confined to a desk. You might start your morning in a high-tech office in Sandton or Century City, using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software to simulate thermal systems or mechanical components. By midday, you could be on-site at a manufacturing plant or a power station, wearing a hard hat and high-visibility vest to oversee the installation of a new turbine or to troubleshoot a conveyor system failure.

The local environment demands adaptability. You will spend your time balancing technical design work with project management, ensuring that "Load Shedding" mitigation strategies are integrated into industrial designs, and liaising with suppliers to source components that meet South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) requirements. It is a career of high responsibility, often requiring you to sign off on safety protocols and technical specifications that impact hundreds of workers.

Education & Upskilling

To practice as a professional in South Africa, you must follow a structured educational pathway recognised by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA):

Formal Degrees: You can pursue a BEng or BSc(Eng) at a traditional university for a theoretical focus, or a Diploma/BTech (Advanced Diploma) at a University of Technology (TVET-aligned) for a more practical, technology-driven approach.
Professional Registration: After graduating, you will work as a "Candidate Engineer" for several years before applying for professional registration (PrEng or PrTech Eng), which is the gold standard for your career.
Short Courses & Certifications: In the modern era, a degree is just the beginning. To stay competitive, you should pursue certifications in Project Management (PMP), specialised CAD software (SolidWorks or AutoCAD), and Green Building or Renewable Energy systems.

Important: Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is not optional; it is a requirement to maintain your professional licence. The industry evolves rapidly, and you must commit to a lifetime of learning to keep pace with global technological advancements.

Next Steps

Are you ready to design the future of South African infrastructure? Transitioning from interest to a career requires an honest evaluation of your current skill set and your passion for innovation. The demand for skilled engineers is high, but the journey requires dedication and resilience. Test your readiness now by taking our comprehensive career assessment to see if you have the aptitude to excel in this prestigious field.

Skills

Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Abilities

Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

Bachelor's degree

52 %
Associate's degree

29 %
Post-secondary certificate

9 %

Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)

Work Activities

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Thinking Creatively
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Detailed Work Activities

Review technical documents to plan work.
Design industrial processing systems.
Design industrial equipment.
Evaluate characteristics of equipment or systems.
Implement design or process improvements.

Work Interests

Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.