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What does a lead mechanical engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Richard Onyancha

A lead mechanical engineer is responsible for overseeing the overall project development processes, analyzing blueprints and specifications, and designing system models according to clients' requirements and budget limitations. Lead mechanical engineers inspect the efficiency of tools and materials and perform multiple diagnostic tests and quality checks to ensure the stability of the products for client satisfaction. They also guide the junior engineers in the integration of resources, as well as writing progress reports for the team's calibration.

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Lead mechanical engineer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real lead mechanical engineer resumes:

  • Optimize structural design of bolted/weld cabinet with analyst using ANSYS to achieve desire weight of structure.
  • Manage outside contractors as an adept mechanical engineer, experience in plumbing.
  • Provide mechanical design and sustaining engineering expertise to troubleshoot manufacturing defect trends and achieve a more robust and producible product.
  • Review and approve CFD and/or structural analysis and technical specifications prior to finalizing engineering drawings.
  • Model system components in SolidWorks and produce engineering drawings of all parts to be fabricate and install.
  • Propose alternative design solutions for HVAC and plumbing systems to provide increase efficiency.
  • Perform ASME calculations and API calculations.
  • Generate 3D models and conduct CFD analysis.
  • Perform FMEA as part of the risk assessment.
  • Create plumbing plans and isometrics from a single XRef file.
  • Work with contract manufacture to advance products through the UL testing and compliance process.
  • Work closely with electrical engineering on PCBA design and integration to satisfy UL and mange heat.
  • Recommend upgrades to PSV and piping to comply with API 14C, API 14E and client requirements.
  • Design, render & develop spec sheet, BOM & catalog installation instructions for complex assemblies using SolidWorks.
  • Fabricate prototype assemblies for design evaluation.

Lead mechanical engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 14% of Lead Mechanical Engineers are proficient in Mechanical Engineering, CAD, and Solidworks. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Listening skills, and Math skills.

We break down the percentage of Lead Mechanical Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Mechanical Engineering, 14%

    Developed estimates and schedules of all required mechanical engineering and construction activities for various projects.

  • CAD, 8%

    Created part and assembly CAD models of product prototypes (probes) using a combination of custom parts and COTS components.

  • Solidworks, 6%

    Utilized SolidWorks Simulation FEA software to analyze and optimize design features with regard to structural and heat transfer considerations.

  • Mechanical Systems, 5%

    Prepared calculations and specifications for mechanical systems for handling radioactive waste at the Savannah River Site.

  • Mechanical Design, 5%

    Provided competent mechanical design engineer support and ensured that projects where time managed and met quality control measures established.

  • FEA, 4%

    Performed linear stress and thermal analysis for high-temperature vacuum furnaces, hot presses, and components using conventional and FEA methods.

Most lead mechanical engineers use their skills in "mechanical engineering," "cad," and "solidworks" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential lead mechanical engineer responsibilities here:

Creativity. One of the key soft skills for a lead mechanical engineer to have is creativity. You can see how this relates to what lead mechanical engineers do because "mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery." Additionally, a lead mechanical engineer resume shows how lead mechanical engineers use creativity: "designed extensive cad models using autodesk inventor and used dfm techniques for efficient manufacturing. "

Listening skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling lead mechanical engineer duties is listening skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists." According to a lead mechanical engineer resume, here's how lead mechanical engineers can utilize listening skills in their job responsibilities: "communicated with customers through formal presentations as well as technical reports. "

Math skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of lead mechanical engineers is math skills. This skill is critical to many everyday lead mechanical engineer duties, as "mechanical engineers use the principles of calculus, statistics, and other advanced subjects in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "completed a dynamic analysis of the spinning spacecraft and science instrument using mathematical tools such as matlab and mathcad. "

Mechanical skills. A big part of what lead mechanical engineers do relies on "mechanical skills." You can see how essential it is to lead mechanical engineer responsibilities because "mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical lead mechanical engineer tasks: "conducted structural analysis and proof testing of mechanical assemblies. "

Problem-solving skills. Another crucial skill for a lead mechanical engineer to carry out their responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." A big part of what lead mechanical engineers relies on this skill, since "mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products." How this skill relates to lead mechanical engineer duties can be seen in an example from a lead mechanical engineer resume snippet: "utilized cfd to compare and optimize orifice plate dimensions with both in-house and external closed form solution programs. "

All lead mechanical engineer skills

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Compare different lead mechanical engineers

Lead mechanical engineer vs. Engineer

Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.

If we compare the average lead mechanical engineer annual salary with that of an engineer, we find that engineers typically earn a $2,107 lower salary than lead mechanical engineers make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between lead mechanical engineers and engineers are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like cad, solidworks, and fea.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, lead mechanical engineer responsibilities require skills like "mechanical engineering," "mechanical systems," "mechanical design," and "engineering design." Meanwhile a typical engineer has skills in areas such as "python," "cloud," "c++," and "c #." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Engineers tend to make the most money working in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $97,672. In contrast, lead mechanical engineers make the biggest average salary, $105,539, in the energy industry.engineers tend to reach similar levels of education than lead mechanical engineers. In fact, engineers are 2.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Lead mechanical engineer vs. Senior design engineer

A senior design engineer is responsible for creating mechanical and electrical designs for machines and systems, following clients' specifications and business guidelines. Senior design engineers also assist junior design engineers with their tasks, sharing best practices and techniques, and suggesting adjustments as needed. They also oversee the manufacturing process, inspect possible inconsistencies, and revise plans without exceeding the agreed budget or compromising the quality. A senior design engineer must be keen with details and highly organizational, especially on meeting deadlines with the highest client satisfaction.

On average, senior design engineers earn a $10,514 higher salary than lead mechanical engineers a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both lead mechanical engineers and senior design engineers have skills such as "cad," "solidworks," and "mechanical design. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that lead mechanical engineer responsibilities requires skills like "mechanical engineering," "mechanical systems," "engineering design," and "material selection." But a senior design engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "autocad," "c++," "sr," and "analog."

Senior design engineers may earn a higher salary than lead mechanical engineers, but senior design engineers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $101,930. On the other hand, lead mechanical engineers receive higher pay in the energy industry, where they earn an average salary of $105,539.senior design engineers earn similar levels of education than lead mechanical engineers in general. They're 1.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for lead mechanical engineers in the next 3-5 years?

Dr. Richard OnyanchaDr. Richard Onyancha LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Department Head, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Automation and control, robotics, and to some extent supply chain management

Lead mechanical engineer vs. Staff engineer

Staff engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and inspecting various products, equipment, or structures. These professionals may perform varied duties depending on their specialization that includes overseeing the design and construction of buildings, bridges, sewer systems, and other infrastructure, estimating the financial costs of construction projects, and ensuring compliance with health and safety laws and regulations. Other duties include designing and developing machinery, tools, and engines, solving design problems, and building the manufacturing equipment needed to create their products.

On average scale, staff engineers bring in higher salaries than lead mechanical engineers. In fact, they earn a $13,346 higher salary per year.Using the responsibilities included on lead mechanical engineers and staff engineers resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "cad," "project management," and "engineering design.rdquo;

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, lead mechanical engineers are more likely to have skills like "mechanical engineering," "solidworks," "mechanical systems," and "mechanical design." But a staff engineer is more likely to have skills like "java," "python," "architecture," and "software development."

Staff engineers earn the highest salary when working in the telecommunication industry, where they receive an average salary of $119,079. Comparatively, lead mechanical engineers have the highest earning potential in the energy industry, with an average salary of $105,539.When it comes to education, staff engineers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to lead mechanical engineers. In fact, they're 0.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 2.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Lead mechanical engineer vs. Tool engineer

A tooling engineer is responsible for creating and adjusting tools or parts for cars, heavy equipment, and other products that need customized or personalized components. Your duties and responsibilities will include creating design blueprints, using computer-aided (CAD) software to develop two- and three-dimensional prints, and validating and evaluating products. As a tooling engineer, it is your responsibility to ensure compliance with operational standards such as the ISO 9000. You also have to provide technical assistance to manufacturing personnel and quality assurance.

Tool engineers tend to earn a higher pay than lead mechanical engineers by an average of $6,951 per year.While both lead mechanical engineers and tool engineers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like cad, solidworks, and fea, the two careers vary in some skills.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A lead mechanical engineer uses "mechanical engineering," "mechanical systems," "mechanical design," and "engineering design." Tool engineers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "python," "java," "linux," and "jenkins. "The technology industry tends to pay the highest salaries for tool engineers, with average annual pay of $94,406. Comparatively, the highest lead mechanical engineer annual salary comes from the energy industry.tool engineers reach lower levels of education compared to lead mechanical engineers, in general. The difference is that they're 7.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of lead mechanical engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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