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Job outlook for mechanical research engineers in the United States
Are mechanical research engineer jobs in demand?
Mechanical research engineer job and salary trends over time
Mechanical research engineer jobs over time
Mechanical research engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 89 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 94 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 99 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 97 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 93 | 0.00% |
Average mechanical research engineer salary over time
Mechanical research engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $86,381 | $41.53 | +2.0% |
| 2024 | $84,723 | $40.73 | +1.2% |
| 2023 | $83,708 | $40.24 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | $82,280 | $39.56 | +2.0% |
| 2021 | $80,661 | $38.78 | +0.7% |
Mechanical research engineer jobs by state
Most common states for mechanical research engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 384 | 55% |
| 2 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,393 | 34% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 438 | 33% |
| 4 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,418 | 29% |
| 5 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,646 | 29% |
| 6 | Delaware | 961,939 | 271 | 28% |
| 7 | Vermont | 623,657 | 177 | 28% |
| 8 | California | 39,536,653 | 10,847 | 27% |
| 9 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,526 | 27% |
| 10 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,645 | 24% |
| 11 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 251 | 24% |
| 12 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 716 | 23% |
| 13 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,555 | 21% |
| 14 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 410 | 21% |
| 15 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 217 | 21% |
| 16 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,400 | 20% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 716 | 20% |
| 18 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 152 | 20% |
| 19 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 115 | 20% |
| 20 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,178 | 19% |
Mechanical Research Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of mechanical research engineer experts
Marshall University
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
University of Hawaii at Manoa
University of Alabama at Huntsville
Weber State University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Ohio University
Jiayue Shen
Mechanical Engineering Technology Program CoordinatorWhat general advice would you give to a Mechanical Research Engineer?
Jiayue Shen: To maximize your salary potential when starting your career in Mechanical Engineering Technology, contemplate acquiring certifications like the FE or PE license, or additional training in high-demand specialized areas such as semiconductors. Moreover, gaining practical experience through academic clubs, undergraduate research, internships, or co-op programs can increase your appeal to employers, potentially resulting in higher salary offers.
What will help Mechanical Research Engineers increase their earning potential?
Jiayue Shen: In the next 3-5 years, skills such as electronic control, basic programming, and critical thinking will become increasingly important in the field of Mechanical Engineering Technology. As industries like robotics, automation, and semiconductors continue to grow, professionals will need to be well-versed in these areas to stay competitive. Additionally, skills such as collaboration and effective oral and written communication will be crucial for advancing in one's career.
Dr. Yousef Sardahi
Associate Professor of Mechanical EngineeringMarshall University
Engineering
What Mechanical Research Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Yousef Sardahi: In the next 3-5 years, several skills are expected to become increasingly important in the mechanical engineering field:
Advanced Computational Skills: Proficiency in simulation and modeling software (like ANSYS, SolidWorks, or MATLAB) will be crucial as these tools become more integral in designing and testing complex systems.
Robotics and Automation: With industries moving towards automation, skills in robotics, automated systems, and knowledge of AI integration will be highly sought after.
Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing: Expertise in 3D printing and additive manufacturing techniques will be valuable as these technologies revolutionize product development and manufacturing processes.
Renewable Energy Technologies: As the world shifts towards sustainable energy sources, mechanical engineers with knowledge in solar, wind, and other renewable energy technologies will be in high demand.
Data Analysis and IoT: Skills in data analytics and understanding the Internet of Things (IoT) will be important as more mechanical systems are connected and produce large amounts of data.
Materials Science: Knowledge in advanced materials, such as composites or smart materials, will be crucial for developing more efficient and sustainable products and systems.
Systems Engineering and Integration: The ability to understand and integrate various subsystems within a larger system will be key, especially in complex projects.
Project Management and Leadership: As projects become more complex, skills in project management and leadership will be essential for overseeing projects and leading teams effectively.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The ability to work effectively across disciplines, understanding aspects of electrical engineering, computer science, and even business, will be increasingly important.
Communication and Soft Skills: Strong communication skills, both for technical and non-technical audiences, along with teamwork and problem-solving skills, will always be invaluable in the engineering field.
Uises Gonzalez-Valle
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
What will help Mechanical Research Engineers increase their earning potential?
Uises Gonzalez-Valle: The beginning of professional life is not simple independent of the career path that you follow and ME and MET can have their own complications. However, some good advice would be to develop independence and adaptability which are key traits of an engineer, and always keep yourself updated with the most recent technological developments. If you are independent and adaptable, you have all the skills to learn and further your professional development. In addition, I would say it is essential to start building a network, including peers and mentors. Having a strong network of peers and mentors helps you significantly to progress in your professional line. From day-to-day to daily changing decisions, having a strong network to support would significantly help in building your professional path. Lastly, I would say that having a good Work-life balance is vital too, since our personal life is as important as our professional life. Remember, we should work to live instead of live to work.
Song Choi Ph.D.
Assistant DeanUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa
What hard/technical skills are most important for Mechanical Research Engineers?
Song Choi Ph.D.: Fundamental competence and understanding of the mathematics (calculus), (physics), and fundamental engineering courses, generally the 2nd year and 3rd year courses. If the position requires more development/research type work, a higher competence, and understanding in the 4th year, more specific topic courses would be required. Project descriptions would be extremely important to assess these details.
For general engineering work, overall competence in all facets of mechanical engineering would be preferred - mechanics, fluids, thermodynamics, and materials/manufacturing.
As more and more mechanical engineering projects require the use of computer software and packages, a fundamental understanding of programming and the use of specific software - AutoCad, SolidWorks, MatLab, Simulink, computer languages, etc. would be assets.
If critical thinking is categorized as a technical skill involving logical thinking, it should also be considered...
Documentation of all aspects of engineering.
Michael Anderson
Department chairUniversity of Alabama at Huntsville
Department of civil and environmental engineering
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Mechanical Research Engineer job market given the pandemic?
Michael Anderson: The biggest trend is employers want motivated employees. Given the pandemic and the inability to work in typical office settings, employers need employees that have the self-motivation to work remotely.
What will help Mechanical Research Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. A. Tye Gardner Ph.D.: Getting a master's degree goes a long way to making candidates stand out and improving earnings. My recommendation is to tailor your MS degree to the specific field you're interested in working in, because employers really want to see candidates that are passionate about the field, and very few people survive a graduate degree without at least a little passion. Available salary data indicates that if you choose an affordable program (let's just say Weber State University), it takes only a few years to pay off the added cost, increases starting salaries, and dramatically improves long-term earning potential. Moreover, you can find electrical engineers with MBAs at C-level positions all over the country. It turns out being an EE makes you a good candidate for business leadership.
What experience really stands out on Mechanical Research Engineer resumes?
Dr. Mingshao Zhang: Internship and Co-op (Cooperative Education) experiences that related to the industry.
Charles Jenckes
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte
Mechanical Engineering
What skills stand out on Mechanical Research Engineer resumes?
Charles Jenckes: For new graduates
1.Where the candidate went to school and what was studied
2.GPA
3.Any successful internships
4.Projects completed by the student
How would you rate the starting salaries for Mechanical Research Engineers, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Daisy Huang: Above average, but you won't be a millionaire easily (you can with some effort, saving, and investing well). It is very unlikely you'll ever be *super* wealthy, but it's also very unlikely you'll ever not find employment in your field. You'll have a solid ticket to a modestly comfortable life, with some luxuries, too.
What experience really stands out on Mechanical Research Engineer resumes?
Dr. Richard Onyancha: Besides having a good GPA, a student's application is tremendously enhanced by internships and any other extra curricula experiences, such as being a member of a competition team, leadership experience and any other specific experiences, such as appropriate independent study experiences that the student can speak about. Sometimes all these other experiences can compensate for a below average GPA. For some companies, demonstrating that you have participated in meaningful international experiences can be that thing that puts you over the competition.
How do you envision technology impacting Mechanical Research Engineers in the next 5 years?
Neil Littell: As digital engineering and automated manufacturing technologies mature, you will see a shift in the manufacturing workforce to what we call a new-collar workforce, somewhere between the traditional blue and white-collar workforce. The future workforce is more technical and able to troubleshoot vs. perform monotonous tasks. The new-collar workforce is empowered to make critical decisions on the line to support production in real-time. Many years ago, manufacturing evolved past the dirty, dangerous facilities of the 1800's. Today, manufacturing is a safe, clean, and rewarding career choice for many people who want to be a part of something bigger. Ohio University is at the forefront of this 4th Industrial Revolution, where we develop engineers who create for good.