Mechanical engineers design, test and build anything that moves – from engines and robotic systems to heating and cooling units. In the UK, this broad mechanical engineering profile can span industries like automotive, aerospace, energy and manufacturing. Mechanical engineer job profile includes creating CAD models, developing prototypes, and oversee ing the production of machines and components. You analyse data from tests, solve technical problems, and work on all stages of a product’s life cycle.
Mechanical Engineer Job Profile Responsibilities
Our analysis of hundreds of UK mechanical engineering job postings reveals the following as key mechanical engineer responsibilities:
Design and develop mechanical systems, components, and products using CAD software
Create detailed engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation
Perform stress analysis, thermal analysis, and other engineering calculations
Test, evaluate, and modify product designs for improved performance
Troubleshoot mechanical failures and implement solutions
Ensure designs comply with British and international standards and regulations
Collaborate with cross-functional teams (electrical, manufacturing, materials)
Manage projects from concept through design, testing, and production
Select appropriate materials and manufacturing processes
Develop and implement quality control procedures
Support installation, commissioning, and maintenance of mechanical systems
Optimize designs for cost, manufacturability, and sustainability
Educational Requirements
| Qualification | Mentions |
|---|---|
| Bachelor Degree | 118 |
| Master Degree | 30 |
| PhD | 9 |
| Vocational | 3 |
The overwhelming majority of Mechanical Engineer job description in UK (73.8%) require a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related disciplines such as:
Mechanical Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Manufacturing Engineering
Automotive Engineering
Mechatronics Engineering
Higher-paying and more specialized roles often prefer candidates with postgraduate qualifications and a chartered status through IMechE, with 18.8% of positions specifically mentioning master’s degrees. Our salary analysis reveals that mechanical engineers with master’s degrees earn approximately £36,141 annually compared to £34,582 for those with bachelor’s degrees—a premium of around 4.5%.
Most In-demand technical Skills
Our comprehensive analysis of job postings identifies these critical technical skills for UK mechanical engineers:
The single most demanded skill across UK mechanical engineering positions is proficiency with CAD software, appearing in 59% of all job postings. SOLIDWORKS leads as the preferred platform (mentioned in 40% of listings), followed by AutoCAD (29%) and Autodesk Inventor (13%). More details about required skills is detailed in the article Essential Mechanical Engineer Skills required in the UK.
Experience Requirement
| Years of Experience | Number of Jobs | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 113 | 48.50% |
| 2 | 40 | 17.17% |
| 5 | 37 | 15.88% |
| 0 | 26 | 11.16% |
| 1 | 13 | 5.58% |
| 10 | 4 | 1.72% |
Nearly half (48.5%) of all UK mechanical engineering positions require exactly 3 years of experience, suggesting this is a critical threshold in career development. This aligns with our salary analysis showing significant compensation increases during the first three years of career progression, after which salary growth tends to plateau unless accompanied by promotion to senior roles.
Salary by Seniority Level
| Seniority Level | Average Hourly Salary($) | Average Annual Salary($) |
|---|---|---|
| Internship | £9.04 | £18,796 |
| Entry-Level | £14.48 | £30,126 |
| Mid-Level | £19.36 | £40,263 |
| Lead | £20.27 | £42,164 |
| Senior | £20.92 | £43,518 |
| Manager | £23.20 | £48,260 |
The median mechanical engineer salary across all experience levels in the UK is £39,600 per year (£19.04 per hour). This represents a premium of approximately 20% over the UK’s median full-time salary.
Our data shows a substantial 157% increase in compensation from internship to management level, with the most significant jumps occurring between internship and entry-level positions (+60%) and between entry-level and mid-level roles (+34%).
You can check out the article Mechanical Engineers Salary for more details about Engineers Salary in the UK.
Top Locations for Mechanical Engineers
Our geographical analysis reveals significant regional variations in mechanical engineering compensation
| Top UK Cities | Average Hourly Salary | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Leatherhead | £31.50 | £65,532 |
| Milton Keynes | £29.30 | £60,960 |
| New Forest | £29.30 | £60,960 |
| Runcorn | £29.18 | £60,692 |
| Runcorn United | £29.18 | £60,692 |
| East Kilbride | £28.74 | £59,764 |
| West London | £27.84 | £57,912 |
| Cowes | £26.86 | £55,880 |
| Loughton | £26.86 | £55,880 |
| York | £26.86 | £55,880 |
The highest-paying location (Leatherhead) offers salaries that exceed the national median by approximately 65%, highlighting the significant impact location can have on compensation.
Top Paying Companies
Our comprehensive job market analysis identifies these organizations as top employers for mechanical engineers in the UK:
MHR
Avarafoods
Metroworth Consulting
Hamdan Global
Insignis Talent (Part of STR Group)
Howdens Joinery Co
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
RATP Dev London
Huxons Recruitment
Woodford Heating and Energy
EDF UK
Ishida Europe
Common Job Titles in Mechanical Engineering
Our analysis of the UK job market reveals these frequently advertised mechanical engineering positions: UK employers use various titles for mechanical engineering roles, including:
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Design Engineer
Mechanical Maintenance Engineer
Shift Engineer
Workshop Engineer
Project Engineer
Production Engineer
Field Service Engineer
Junior Assembly Engineer
Lead Pump Engineer
Mechanical Project Engineer
Mechanical Project Engineer
How to stand out in the Engineering Job Market
Education and Certification
Pursue Chartered Engineer status through IMechE
Consider specialized master’s degrees in high-growth areas
Obtain software certifications in CAD and FEA platforms
Develop cross-disciplinary skills (particularly in electronics and programming)
Technical Skill Development
Master the top technical skills identified for mechanical engineer responsibilities outlined by our research, particularly:
- Advanced CAD (SOLIDWORKS, AutoCAD)
- Finite Element Analysis
- Microsoft Excel for engineering applications
- Hydraulic and pneumatic systems
Conclusion
The mechanical engineering profession in the UK offers robust opportunities across diverse industries, with median compensation of £39,600 annually and potential for significantly higher earnings with specialization and career advancement. Our comprehensive analysis reveals that success in this field requires a strategic combination of technical expertise, professional development, and awareness of industry trends.
With the increasing integration of digital technologies, sustainability requirements, and cross-disciplinary approaches, UK mechanical engineers must continuously evolve their skillsets in order to keep up with the growing mechanical engineer job profile. Those who develop expertise in high-demand areas such as CAD, FEA, and specialised industry knowledge can command premium salaries that may exceed £65,000 in top-paying locations.
For mechanical engineers looking to maximise their career potential in the UK, we recommend focusing on continuous professional development, pursuing chartered status, and strategically targeting high-growth sectors and locations identified in our research.
This comprehensive profile was developed through analysis of 190 mechanical engineering positions across the UK, with data collected and analyzed in May 2025.
