The sheer size and diversity of engineering subfields might be overwhelming. However, after they’ve narrowed down their options, graduates will find that the field is rich with opportunities that may be tailored to each person’s interests and skillset. There are a variety of entry points into the field of study, and those who want to further their education through degree or certification programmes can increase their earning potential and career prospects. Have you, as a veteran, ever thought of working in mechanical engineering, specifically in the field of movable walls? Designing, testing, and maintaining the systems that operate movable barriers in places like factories, warehouses, and huge commercial buildings is interesting work. If you are a veteran interested in a career in mechanical engineering, you may take advantage of the VA’s educational benefits to further your education and training.
To guarantee the security and effectiveness of these systems, mechanical experts with experience in moving walls are required. They are responsible for the planning, development, and implementation of new and upgraded moving wall systems. Skilled mechanical engineers are projected to be in high demand as automation and smart building technology continue to expand in popularity. Veterans with an aptitude for solving complex problems and an enthusiasm for science and technology may find rewarding work in the field of mechanical engineering, specifically in the area of hydraulic and pneumatic wall systems.
What Is Mechanical Engineering?
Mechanical engineers create tools and machines out of metal and other materials. Mechanical engineers create products that enhance people’s quality of life by applying engineering concepts (such as motion, energy, and force) to their creations. Mechanical engineers, in a nutshell, apply the methods of physics and mathematics to improve the world.
A mechanical engineer’s scope of work is quite broad, spanning from air conditioners to medical gadgets to sports gear and beyond. There is a wide variety of opportunities for advancement in this profession, and mechanical engineers’ contributions have real-world consequences.
The contributions of mechanical engineers are indispensable to the survival and development of human civilization. Mechanical engineering is often thought to have begun with the Industrial Revolution, although its history really goes back much further. The earliest wheel used in pottery production probably appeared about 3000 B.C. Potter’s wheel is an excellent illustration of how the principles of mechanical engineering may be applied to the development of society, even if the unknown person or individuals who designed it didn’t have a degree in mechanical engineering.
The formalisation of mechanical engineering as a field may be traced back to the United Kingdom and the United States during the Industrial Revolution. Young mechanical engineers marked a watershed moment when they invented helpful tools that allowed for massive improvements in human capability.1 Mechanical engineers are still actively innovating and refining products today.
Mechanical engineering is the study of the building of mechanical systems, such as tools and machines. Engines, self-driving cars, electrical grids, computers, and assembly lines are all examples.
What Does a Mechanical Engineer Do?
After being engaged by a company or engineering firm, a mechanical engineer with FE or PE certifications takes on a significant responsibility. These jobs may be found in a wide variety of sectors, but most commonly in engineering services, R&D, and manufacturing. Mechanical engineers earn a premium wage since their work is complex and sophisticated, and because they must complete a lengthy educational and training programme before they can practise. Beginning pay for FE-qualified engineers are usually below those for PE-qualified engineers, who may often command six-figure sums.
Working in an office, a mechanical engineer’s typical duties include the creation, examination, and approval of technical papers such as designs, applications, and studies. In cases where a problem or piece of equipment requires immediate attention, engineers may occasionally travel to the workplace. Here are some typical tasks that a mechanical engineer may be responsible for at various businesses.
1. Design Engineering
Mechanical engineers play a crucial part in the development and production of both new and current goods at a hardware manufacturer. A mechanical engineer’s primary function in the design department is the development of new products for the company’s product line. The design team of mechanical engineers would first collaborate to identify the problem they are attempting to address, then construct the hardware’s specifications, and then produce the hardware itself.
Engineers frequently use CAD (computer-aided design) software to construct, analyse, and test gear virtually before it is manufactured. Having mechanical engineers on such teams who are able to tap into their ingenuity to develop innovative, high-quality hardware is crucial.
2. Testing Engineer
New products are the result of tight collaboration between design engineers and testing engineers. When a mechanical engineer on a design team builds a prototype of a new part, it is the responsibility of the testing engineer to put it through its paces. Companies that develop innovative consumer goods employ testing engineers.
Testing engineers at Ford analyse the performance and safety of the new concept automobiles being developed by the business. Ford introduces a new lineup of vehicles every year, including both improvements to existing models like the Ford F-150 and completely new models like the 2021 Ford Bronco. Prototypes served as the basis for these new automobile models and the components that make them up. The 2021 Ford Bronco’s new aerodynamic body form was likely prototyped in a wind tunnel by a testing engineer.
3. Quality Engineer
Boeing is another well-known company that employs mechanical engineers. Boeing has hundreds of mechanical engineers on staff that are responsible for various elements of aircraft production and design. Mechanical engineers at Boeing work in a field called quality assurance. A plane’s manufactured parts must pass a quality assurance inspection to ensure they are up to pace with safety standards. Quality engineers are the common term for these types of mechanical engineers. They must make sure that every Boeing jet is completely safe before it can be put into service. In particular, a quality engineer is responsible for inspecting a set of components or a whole assembly for flaws. When a component has been tested and found to be up to standard, a quality engineer will stamp it with an approval stamp and send it on to the next stage.
4. Systems Engineer
Mechanical engineers frequently deal with intricate systems whose roles span over a wide range of functionalities. HVAC system construction is a typical area of employment for systems engineers. In order to make a building’s interior comfortable for its residents, HVAC systems must be installed. Mechanical engineers oversee the temperature and ventilation (HVAC) systems inside major skyscrapers like the Empire State Building. Engineers of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system coordinate the building’s cooling and heating needs with the capacity of the massive HVAC units. Large numbers of people couldn’t be housed in structures if these systems weren’t regularly maintained.
Common Services Provided by Mechanical Engineers - Moving Walls
As a mechanical engineer who specialises in movable walls, you will be in charge of the planning, development, testing, and supervision of systems that enable walls to be relocated inside a structure. This field offers a wide range of services, from system planning to feasibility analysis to project management.
1. System Design:
As a mechanical engineer who specialises in movable walls, you will be in charge of creating the mechanisms that make this possible. Assessing a building’s requirements and developing particular designs for a movable wall system is what this entails. This involves creating blueprints for the building’s framework, mechanical parts, and control systems to ensure reliable and secure functioning.
2. Studies of Feasibility:
A feasibility study is required before a movable wall system can be put in place. These analyses will fall under your purview as a mechanical engineer with expertise in retractable walls. The feasibility of a movable wall system must be determined by taking into account the building’s physical and logistical restrictions. You must weigh the advantages, disadvantages, and hazards of such a system.
3. Management of Projects:
You will be in charge of project management from beginning to end after the design and feasibility studies for a movable wall system have been completed. This include taking charge of the installation process, checking that everything goes according to plan, and putting the system through extensive testing to make sure it works as intended. In addition to managing the project’s timeline and finances, you’ll be in charge of collaborating with other specialists including architects and contractors.
Mechanical Engineer - Moving Walls Salary
As of May 2020, the median annual salary for mechanical engineers was $90,160, as reported by the Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS). Earnings ranged from $59,000 for the lowest 10% to $139,520 for the richest 10%. Industry, location, years of experience, and amount of education may all have an impact on salary.
It’s important to note that a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related discipline, in addition to experience and certifications, is necessary for a career in mechanical engineering. However, with VA educational benefits, veterans may get the mechanical engineering education and training they need to succeed in the sector.
The BLS provides salary data for mechanical engineers, among other fields.
Moving Walls: The Path to a Career as a Mechanical Engineer
Obtain the Necessary Knowledge and Training:
You will require at least a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related subject to enter the profession of moving walls as a mechanical engineer. The GI Bill® can be used to pay for a variety of higher education costs, including tuition, fees, textbooks, and more.
Become Licenced:
To work as a mechanical engineer after finishing your studies, you will need to have a Professional Engineering (PE) licence. Obtaining a PE licence requires the following, albeit this varies by state:
DOING A HISTORY CHECK-
A background check is required before submitting an application for a PE licence. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) specifies that applicants must use a DBPR-approved supplier for electronic fingerprinting services in order to satisfy this requirement. Most people utilise an approved source like the Florida Electronic Fingerprinting Service.
Although the specifics of each state’s required background check may differ, they all entail looking into the applicant’s criminal record.
APPLYING FOR THE LICENSE-
A PE licence application can be submitted when a background check has been successfully completed. Submitting an application form, paying a fee, and showing evidence of your education and professional experience are often required, however, these specifics might vary by state.
PREPARING FOR AN EXAMINATION-
After applying, you’ll have to take the PE exam and hopefully do well enough to get hired. The test covers a wide variety of mechanical engineering concepts and is known for being difficult. Exam preparation classes and study materials can be paid for using VA education benefits.
OBTAINING ONE'S PERMIT:
After passing the PE test, you must fulfil any further state criteria, such as gaining the required amount of work experience under a licenced engineer. After finishing the necessary steps, you will be able to get your PE licence and start working as a mechanical engineer in the field of transportation.
Use Your VA Benefits to Become a Mechanical Engineer
If you are a veteran interested in a career as a Mechanical Engineer – Moving Walls, you may take advantage of various VA educational perks. The Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Programme, and the Montgomery GI Bill are all examples of such initiatives.
- The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers qualifying veterans with financial aid for higher education, including reimbursement for tuition and fees, a housing allowance, and a book and supply allowance. This benefit may be used by veterans to get a two-year or four-year degree in construction management, which can help them further their careers in the pool and spa industry.
- Veterans with disabilities incurred in the line of duty are given a helping hand in the job market by the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Programme. Services such as career guidance, schooling, job placement, and accessibility modifications are provided through this programme.
- The Montgomery GI Bill is a programme that helps pay for higher education and vocational training for those veterans who served in the armed forces during wartime. This benefit can be used by veterans to earn a trade certification or two-year degree in a sector like plumbing or construction.
In Conclusion
Becoming a mechanical engineer with a focus on retractable barriers is an exciting and potentially lucrative option for military veterans. You can go where you want to go in your engineering career by following the advice in this article and making use of the VA education benefits to which you are entitled. You should start the process by contacting a Florida-licensed background check service and submitting an application.