Mechanical engineering internship vs senior mechanical engineer

The differences between mechanical engineering interns and senior mechanical engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a mechanical engineering internship and a senior mechanical engineer. Additionally, a senior mechanical engineer has an average salary of $103,836, which is higher than the $42,749 average annual salary of a mechanical engineering internship.

The top three skills for a mechanical engineering internship include solidworks, powerpoint and mechanical design. The most important skills for a senior mechanical engineer are mechanical engineering, CAD, and solidworks.

Mechanical engineering internship vs senior mechanical engineer overview

	Mechanical Engineering Internship	Senior Mechanical Engineer
Yearly salary	$42,749	$103,836
Hourly rate	$20.55	$49.92
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	115,512	98,063
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 77%	Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	6	6

What does a mechanical engineering internship do?

One of the primary responsibilities in a mechanical engineering internship is to follow directives from engineers and managers while gaining practical experience. There are instances when an intern must take part in crafting various materials under the supervision of a more experienced colleague, produce reports and paperwork, operate tools and devices, and provide assistance should anyone need. Furthermore, it is essential to report to managers and supervisors if any issues arise.

What does a senior mechanical engineer do?

A senior mechanical engineer is responsible for designing and improving mechanical equipment, as well as industrial devices and machinery. Senior mechanical engineers verify the materials and resources, ensuring that the processes meet the budget goals from clients' specifications and requirements. They also monitor the manufacturing process, developing strategic procedures for operations improvement, and maximizing staff productivity. A senior mechanical engineer runs multiple diagnostic tests to guarantee the stability and efficiency of the item and coordinating with the client for any plan adjustments as needed.

Mechanical engineering internship vs senior mechanical engineer salary

Mechanical engineering interns and senior mechanical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Mechanical Engineering Internship	Senior Mechanical Engineer
Average salary	$42,749	$103,836
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $54,000	Between $79,000 And $136,000
Highest paying City	Palo Alto, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Illinois	Washington
Best paying company	CDM Smith	Google
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Energy

Differences between mechanical engineering internship and senior mechanical engineer education

There are a few differences between a mechanical engineering internship and a senior mechanical engineer in terms of educational background:

	Mechanical Engineering Internship	Senior Mechanical Engineer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 77%	Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common major	Mechanical Engineering	Mechanical Engineering
Most common college	Michigan Technological University	Michigan Technological University

Mechanical engineering internship vs senior mechanical engineer demographics

Here are the differences between mechanical engineering interns' and senior mechanical engineers' demographics:

	Mechanical Engineering Internship	Senior Mechanical Engineer
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 87.2% Female, 12.8%	Male, 94.2% Female, 5.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.7% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%	Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 15.8% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between mechanical engineering internship and senior mechanical engineer duties and responsibilities

Mechanical engineering internship example responsibilities.

Programme VBA tool to organize and manage operator-supply production data into a comprehensive data set.
Develop design specifications, implement RTL, generate simulation models, test benches, design software and documentation.
Remodel PERL scripts to test DLL, PLL, USB, EFUSE, SERDES.
Check design package and concept drawings of Jr.
Develop python script functions for SBTS to find electrical shortages.
Design heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems for new and remodel buildings.

Senior mechanical engineer example responsibilities.

Create DFMEA documents to help manage risks and improve initial quality.
Set up and manage PCB manufacturing including all chemical baths, lasers, and exposure equipment.
Restructure VHDL code and chip/module hierarchy to achieve timing goals for the dual cache controller and the chip.
Achieve timely convergence of complex designs by building RTL models from validation area and integrating them, before official model release.
Lead FPGA development of key digital communication component used in successful demonstration of spacecraft radio link.
Provide mechanical design and sustaining engineering expertise to troubleshoot manufacturing defect trends and achieve a more robust and producible product.

Mechanical engineering internship vs senior mechanical engineer skills

Common mechanical engineering internship skills

Solidworks, 15%
PowerPoint, 5%
Mechanical Design, 5%
Mechanical Systems, 4%
Revit, 4%
Auto CAD, 4%

Common senior mechanical engineer skills

Mechanical Engineering, 15%
CAD, 7%
Solidworks, 7%
Mechanical Design, 5%
Mechanical Systems, 5%
HVAC, 4%

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Mechanical Engineering Internship vs Senior Mechanical Engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

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