For many Filipinos, becoming an engineer has been their life-long dream. Even I wanted to become one when I was younger. But that’s a story for another time. The growing popularity of online jobs today enables new engineers to work at their own leisure and at home.
That said, adjusting to this new setup as a virtual mechanical engineer isn’t as simple as people think. This new work environment takes some getting used to, and it also has its own unique challenges. Experiencing lag while on an online call with your client can be very frustrating, for example.
To help you, here are 7 in-demand skills that you need to remember in your online mechanical engineer job. Also included here are the duties and responsibilities of online mechanical engineers to help guide you in your new career.
Duties and Responsibilities of Online Mechanical Engineers
Alright, before we proceed on this article’s main topic, let’s talk about your duties and responsibilities first. An online mechanical engineer job has the same duties and responsibilities as its office-based counterpart. That is to say that you’re responsible for designing and maintaining power-producing machines such as generators and engines.
Your other duties and responsibilities include:
- Design technical plans based on research data
- Carrying out surveys on the status of the company’s equipment and other mechanical systems.
- Present design plans to your managers and clients.
- Develop CAD-assisted project drawings and review said drawings made by fellow engineers for accuracy.
- Collaborate with project managers in developing an accurate accounting of all engineering hours required by the various internal projects.
- Test products for any issues to be solved.
- Oversee quality control programs and the facility’s overall maintenance.
Being an engineering job, the salary rate for an online mechanical engineering job is pretty high. A new, full-time work-from-home mechanical engineer’s salary sits between Php 21,000 to Php 30,000. And you wonder why your parents pushed you to become one.
Technical Skills
Mechanical engineering can’t be learned overnight. It’s highly technical to create a new machine from scratch or maintain one in perfect working condition.
You should be adept at the principles of mechanical engineering. Possess the necessary technical knowledge. In this way, you can solve the problems or avoid them when you work with your clients online.
Analytical Skills
What’s the use of knowing if you can’t apply it? That’s where your analytical skills will matter. When faced with a problem, how do you find a solution to malfunctions or to newly built machines?
You should know how to analyze the situation based on the data. With this, you can apply the best possible solutions to the problems you are facing.
Math Skills
Engineering heavily relies on mathematical equations to solve problems. Your solutions should be technically and mathematically sound. Yes, you can use programs to assist you with the numbers. Make sure that you know how to do it manually because machines just assist with the calculations.
But you’re still required to analyze and apply the real numbers that would make sense. Without math skills, you will be lost in finding the right ones to use.
Practice your impeccable math skills to back up your proposed solutions for your clients.
Practice Using the Tools Available to You
In today’s digital age, learning how to use a computer is an essential skill that everyone should know. Mechanical engineers are no exception, and in fact, you should be taking advantage of the many applications available online. Apps like MechaniCalc, Mechanical Engineering One, and Engineering Cookbook are just a few of the apps you can use to help in your work.
Aside from these, you shouldn’t forget about your physical tools as well. You’ll still need your graphing calculator, caliper, and ohmmeter in a remote work setup. These tools are still essential for your work, even if you’re now working remotely.
Creativity
Engineering is not all about numbers. The beauty about it is that you can create something new that’s never been done before. You can provide solutions in the form of new technology or a new approach to things.
But you need creativity to provide such. Let your creativity blossom into new ideas. If you can be creative enough, you are sure to be sought-after by a lot of clients worldwide.
Be Mindful of How you Communicate with your Clients.
An often overlooked piece of advice for virtual mechanical engineers is communicating properly to your clients and colleagues. Remember, not all people you’ll talk to will be familiar with engineering jargon. When talking to your clients, be sure to use simpler terms that they can easily understand to avoid confusion and misunderstanding.
Of course, communication is a two-way street. Just as you expect your clients to listen to you, you should also listen to their inputs and thoughts. For example, you’re trying to diagnose a problem in the company’s machines. Listening to your clients can help you know the exact problem and provide an appropriate solution to it.
Adaptability
There will be advancements in your field ever so often. What you may know now might not be the standard, especially in mechanical engineering. You should be adaptable to these changes if you want to be sought after.
Learn from thought leaders. Or maybe, participate in discussions in Quora, Reddit, or FB groups related to your craft. In this way, you are sure to be relevant to your current and future clients in the long run.
Conclusion
And there you have it. Here are some of the tips you’ll need for your new online mechanical engineer job. I know, these are so few and general that it could even apply to other engineers. But that’s the thing. This advice applies to a variety of jobs because they’re that important for your work.
Of course, this advice won’t work unless you apply them yourself. It’s up to you to follow them and see which works for you and which ones do not. If you’re looking for opportunities in this field, here are online work at home options for you. Cheers!
