How To Become A Junior Mechanical Engineer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a junior mechanical engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted Expert

Marco Schoen Ph.D.

These professionals test, build, and develop mechanical devices of all types, like machines, engines, and tools. They are accountable for isolating and fixing problems. Likewise, they develop and design brand-new products, machines, and tools. They create detailed design schematics for various components of a project.

Also, they process precise measurements, including the cost of materials and schematics, before starting any mechanical work. Junior mechanical engineers test and retest mechanical devices to isolate problems. Afterward, they re-engineer products and return them to full functionality. Additionally, they prepare detailed reports and summaries of ongoing projects to keep supervisors updated.

Junior mechanical engineers need a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering to get hired. Candidates must be conversant with specialized design software, engineering software, and mechanical schematics. You must possess communication, attention to detail, analytical and technical skills. These experts earn about $67,447 annually which ranges from $56,000 to $79,000.

What general advice would you give to a Junior Mechanical Engineer?

Marco Schoen Ph.D.

Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Director of the Measurement and Control Engineering Research Center (MCERC), Idaho State University

Stay current. Engineering evolves continuously; new tools, new technologies, and new areas where engineers can contribute, learn, and work. When graduating, students have the feeling they are set for their careers. However, this is not true; they might be set to start their careers. To be consistently successful in their pages, they need to stay informed and updated.

ScoreJunior Mechanical EngineerUS Average

Salary

5.5

Avg. Salary $69,855

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

7.4

Growth Rate 2%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.11%

Asian 17.13%

Black or African American 3.09%

Hispanic or Latino 7.91%

Unknown 4.51%

White 67.25%

Gender

female 9.13%

male 90.87%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress Level

7.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

8.6

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

5.1

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a junior mechanical engineer

Explore junior mechanical engineer education requirements

Most common junior mechanical engineer degrees

Bachelor's

79.7 %

Master's

9.5 %

Associate

5.8 %

Start to develop specific junior mechanical engineer skills

Skills	Percentages
Mechanical Engineering	15.87%
Solidworks	13.74%
Mechanical Systems	6.82%
HVAC	4.35%
Mechanical Design	4.20%

Complete relevant junior mechanical engineer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New junior mechanical engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a junior mechanical engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real junior mechanical engineer resumes.

Research junior mechanical engineer duties and responsibilities

Use of PLM software tools such as WindChill to manage data, revisions, iterations and approvals.
Design HVAC systems and plumbing layouts for various large and small-scale projects at different stages right from conceptual to implementation stage.
Implement ductwork into AutoCAD or REVIT models.
Review product drawings and program CNC machines according to the part designs.

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When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your junior mechanical engineer resume.

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