Filling the skills gap: Mechanical Engineer

What does a military Mechanical Engineer go into after leaving the Armed Forces? Many people would just assume engineering... but there's more to it than just engineering!

SPECIALISED MILITARY MECHANICAL ENGINEER SKILLS

Mechanical Engineers can be skilled in the following areas

• Servicing and repairing the airframe or propulsion on aeroplanes and helicopters (e.g Engines, Flying controls, Hydraulics, Air conditioning, Landing gear or Fuel)

• Servicing and repairing heavy support vehicles (tanks, fire engines, fuel bowsers)

• Maintaining ground power units/generators

• Manufacturing or modifying component parts (using manual and computer-operated machinery like drilling, milling, cutting and forming equipment)

• Servicing and repair of weapons or explosives (rifles, pistols, machine guns, bombs, missiles)

• Maintaining and repairing ejection seats, aircraft gun systems and missile launchers

• Managing a team of Mechanical Engineers

• Managing engineering projects

GENERAL MILITARY SKILLS

• Project management

• Problem solving

• Leadership and resilience

• Communication skills

• Negotiation skills

• Self-discipline, reliability and work ethic

• Team Skills

• Adaptability and resourcefulness

SKILLS EMPLOYERS NEED

• Project management, organisational skills, ability to get things done

• Process compliance

• Business intelligence

• Flexibility

• Engineering

• Risk Assessing

• Keeping up to date records

• Training & Mentoring

• Leaders and team members working to common purpose

• Ability to earn respect

• Leadership & Management

CIVILIAN ROLES THAT FORMER MILITARY MECHANICAL ENGINEERS COULD CONSIDER

• Engineering Project Manager

• Engineering Consultant

• Engineering Fitter

• Aircraft Engineer

• Plant Technician

• Design & Test Technician

• Mechanical Engineering Technician

• Automotive technician.

• General light engineering

• Electro-mechanical engineer

• Fabricator

• Welder