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This blog provides wide awareness about various career opportunities available for a Mechanical Engineer i.e. mechanical engineering jobs, after completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. The following flow chart represents the pictorial view of career opportunities.
Mechanical Engineering Jobs
Campus Selection (CS)
The very first career opportunity for a student before entering the competitive world is provided through Campus Selection by the college administration. The placement cell of the college recommends various companies in the core field to recruit candidates. CS is the platform where a student can prove his capabilities to a company with relatively low competition.
In the current scenario, opportunities in Information Technology (IT) industry are demanding as compared to the core mechanical engineering field. The IT industry accounts for 7.4 % of India’s GDP in 2022. The work of a Mechanical engineer, Chemical engineer, Electrical & Electronics engineer and Civil Engineer is made easy by the IT industry through digitization. Even reputed companies are recruiting people for IT jobs from other branches like Civil, Mechanical, Electrical & Electronics.
Opportunities from core companies are relatively limited. The reason is automation and saturation in the pure mechanical engineering stream. Most corporate companies are racing for new technology through innovation that could fetch them profit. It is possible through Research and Development (R&D). If anybody is interested in facing the challenges in the development of new technology, R&D is the best option from a core sector. But one should complete at least a Master’s degree to join the R & D section.
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)
GATE is a national-level entrance test for an undergraduate engineer that tests the basic knowledge and understanding of fundamental concepts in the core stream. GATE is an opening gate for various mechanical engineering jobs for undergraduate students. Now, the GATE score is considered one of the mandatory requirements for an undergraduate engineer in India after the completion of a bachelor’s degree. It is an entrance to higher education like M.Tech (Masters in Technology) as well as to various companies like Public Sector Undertakings (PSU). Nearly 50+ PSU hire through GATE as of 2022.
Mechanical Engineering Government Jobs
Competitive Exams
Apart from GATE, some renowned government organizations like Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Indian Engineering Services…etc conduct their entrance examination to recruit people and offer mechanical engineering jobs.
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
ISRO is the leading organization in space research owned by the Government of India. The development & delivery of satellites into space and space exploration are the main roles of ISRO.
Role of Mechanical Engineer in ISRO: Mechanical Engineer is responsible for the design of cryogenics, propulsion systems, structure…etc of a launching vehicle, thermal system design and carrying out various tests of satellites (before launch) like vibration, thermal and acoustics..etc. Mechanical engineers should have sound knowledge in static & dynamics and thermal sciences to excel career in ISRO.
How to apply for ISRO?
Undergraduates in the Mechanical Engineering discipline are eligible to apply for the post of Scientist/Engineer-SC.
Minimum Requirements:
B Tech in first class with an aggregate minimum of 65% marks or CGPA 6.84/10 and above; ME/M Tech or equivalent in First Class with an aggregate minimum of 60% marks or CGPA 6.5/10.
Undergraduates in the Mechanical Engineering discipline are also eligible for Refrigeration and Air-conditioning if they have studied air conditioning and refrigeration or allied subjects as electives or as a core subject in any of the semesters and passed their degree with an aggregate minimum of 65% marks or CGPA 6.84 out of 10.
ISRO conducts their written exam through offline mode (Multiple Choice Questions MCQ). The frequency of recruitment is based on the demand.
Age Limit: 35 years (General)
Salary for an entry-level Engineer/Scientist: Gross Rs.81,195/- per month (Including HRA 28% for living in “X” category city, Transport allowance, Dearness allowance. Etc)
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
BARC is the premier research institute in nuclear science and engineering owned by the Government of India. Building advanced nuclear reactors for power generation, research reactors for the generation of radioactive elements like Cesium-137 for use in medical purposes for treating cancer, agricultural (Radiation Processed Relief Foods), …etc. are the main roles of BARC.
Role of Mechanical Engineers in BARC: The responsibility of Mechanical Engineers is to design, analyse (Finite Element Analysis) and erect critical components of a nuclear reactor like reactor core, core cooling systems & associated pumps, piping systems, .etc.
Initially, the candidate will be absorbed as a Scientific Officer-C (SO/C) grade. Based on the performance and experience, the candidate will be promoted to SO/D,…..SO/H, Outstanding Scientist (OS) and finally Distinguished Scientist (DS). The Chairman and Secretary to the Government of India are in the cadre of DS.
How to apply for BARC?
BARC calls for an interview through two different modes. One is through the GATE score and the other mode is through the BARC exam. BARC recruits every year and conducts its exam through online mode (MCQ) in the month of March-May.
Minimum Requirements
Minimum of 60% aggregate marks in the qualifying degree.
Age Limit: 26 years (general)
Salary for an entry-level Scientific Officer C: Gross Rs. 1.02 Lakh per month (Inclusive of HRA, Dearness Allowance, Transport Allowance…etc)
Indian Engineering Service (IES)
Union Public Service Commission conducts the IES exam every year. UPSC is responsible to recruit engineers through IES for various technical functions of the Government of India. The recruited engineers will be posted in any one of the following departments.
- Indian Defence Service of Engineers
- Indian Naval Armament Service
- Indian Naval Material Management Service
- Central Water Engineering Service
- Indian Skill Development Service
- Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Services/SSO‐II
- Central Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Service
- Central Power Engineering Service (Group A)
- AEE (Electrical and Mechanical) in Border Roads Engineering
Role of a Mechanical Engineer in IES: Initially, candidates will be posted as Assistant Executive Engineers in various departments as mentioned above. The typical role is spare procurement for mechanical equipment, maintenance of mechanical equipment and restoring them to operation after a breakdown as soon as possible. After completion of 5-7 years of service, candidates will be involved in the design and planning of mechanical systems, 10-13 years of service – Joint General Manager, and 20 years of service – as Addition General Manager. After 32 years of successful service, the candidate will be finally promoted to Secretary to the Government of India of that particular department.
How to apply for IES?
IES recruits engineers once in every year through the following stages.
- Prelims
- Mains
- Interview
Candidates who qualified in the previous stage are only allowed to enter the next stage. Prelims and Mains are conducted through offline mode. Prelims are of MCQ type and Mains is of descriptive type.
Minimum Requirements
The candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from a recognised university in India. There is no minimum percentage of marks for a bachelor’s degree set by UPSC to date.
Salary of an Entry-level Engineer: Gross Rs: 1,27,000/- per month (Inclusive of TA, DA, HRA…etc).