Your degree in Mechanical Engineering

Skills you’ll develop

While studying Mechanical Engineering, you’re learning to apply your analytical mindset to the design and development of tools, equipment, machines and complex mechanical systems. You’ll develop important skills to investigate how systems work together to take an idea through the design cycle.

These skills may include:

• Preparation of drawings, schematics, diagrams, plans and schedules from conceptual design to a built prototype
• Application of heat transfer, fluid dynamics and combustion concepts to design water and air conditioning systems
• Preparation of material, cost estimates and design specifications for machinery and systems
• Use of sensors, electronics and actuators, and engineering design skills to develop smart devices (e.g., smartphones and home automation solutions)
• Application of principles related to solid mechanics, fluid dynamics, kinematics and mechanical design to develop prosthetic devices and surgical instruments
• Conducting root cause failure analysis to detect faults using a variety of testing methods
• Usage of design, drafting and modeling software such as SolidWorks and AutoCAD to create detailed drawings and layouts

Career possibilities

Career opportunities vary widely across a range of fields including aerospace, automotive, renewable energy, oil and gas, automation, mechatronics, aviation and marine management, and product design, and others.

There are many career paths that can combine your academics, skills, and experience with your different interests. Read through the job titles below for ideas. Some career options may require further education or training.

Visit the National Occupational Classification website to research basic requirements and responsibilities of jobs in your field.

Make the most of your program

Your experiences will open doors to new opportunities and help clarify your values and interests.

• UBC Club MECH
  Attend a variety of social events and participate in club activities to meet other mechanical engineering students.
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers
  Network with peers and professionals, attend guest speaker events, panel presentations, and field trips.
• American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
  Learn about the design of energy efficient green buildings, attend talks, tours and other professional events.
• UBC Uncrewed Aircraft Systems
  Join one of the top UAV teams in Canada to develop autonomous drones.
• Formula UBC
  Design, build, test, and race a new single-seat race car in the Formula SAE Michigan collegiate design series.
• UBC AeroDesign
  Work as part of a team to design, build and fly a radio-controlled fixed-wing aircraft at the annual SAE competition.
• UBC Formula Electric
  Join a multidisciplinary team to build an electric formula-style race car to compete in the annual international competition.
• UBC BAJA
  Join a group of students passionate about off-road racing and compete at the annual Baja SAE competitions.
• UBC Solar
  Learn to build your ideas, develop your technical skills, and work in an interdisciplinary team.
• UBC Supermileage
  Work as part of a diverse team to design and fabricate ultra- fuel-efficient vehicles to compete in annual competitions.
• UBC Aviation Club
  Participate in the YVR Control tower tour, fly outs and other activities to learn about airport operations and airplane design.
• Biomedical Engineering Graduate Student Association
  Get paired with a graduate student mentor to gain insights into the biomedical engineering field.
• Departmental research opportunities
  Reach out directly to faculty members to ask about potential research positions.
• UBC Engineering Co-op
  Gain work experience in mechanical engineering between study terms.
• Creative Destruction Lab Health Stream
  Find the resources and mentorship you need to take your health innovation idea to the next level.
• Engineering job board
  Check out engineering employment opportunities.

Build your network

Employers often hire people they know, so help them get to know you. You can build your network through clubs, classes, informational interviews, and more. There are so many ways to make connections and find mentors.

The professional associations below are also great resources for meeting people, learning about specific industries, and finding job and volunteer opportunities. Most have reduced membership rates for students and new grads.

• Aerospace Industry Association of Canada
• American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC
• Association of Consulting Engineering Companies Canada
• BC Alliance for Manufacturing
• BC Aviation Council
• BC Sustainable Energy Association
• Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute
• Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science, Trades, and Technology
• Canadian Institute of Marine Engineering
• Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Society
• Canadian Nuclear Association
• Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering
• Canadian Society of Professional Engineers
• Chartered Engineers Pacific
• Clean Energy BC
• Engineering Institute of Canada
• Engineers and Geoscientists BC
• Engineers Canada
• International Society of Automation BC Section
• Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers
• Institution of Mechanical Engineers
• Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC
• Mechanical Contractors Association of BC
• Metallurgy and Materials Society
• Society of Automotive Engineers BC
• Society of Manufacturing Engineers Canada
• Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers 

Connect with alumni on LinkedIn

Find UBC Mechanical Engineering graduates on LinkedIn to learn about where they’re working, and their career and academic paths.

More information

From your Applied Science degree, you’ll develop skills and experiences that can translate into many career paths. Check out other things you can do with your Engineering degree.