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 remote work today enables new engineers to work at their own leisure and homes.
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 adjust, here are some tips 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 for your new work.
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.
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.
Remember to Set Up Your Workspace at Home
Just because you’re not working in an office doesn’t mean you won’t need to have your own workspace. A workspace at home enables you to have all your tools at hand and helps separate work from home. Having one increases your productivity and helps avoid unnecessary distractions such as background noise and family activities.
So, where do you start? The first step in establishing your home workspace is picking an appropriate location. Set your workspace in a relatively quiet part of your house, one where your family can’t accidentally barge in on.
Once you’ve picked a location, have all your tools and equipment placed there in a neat and organized manner. Doing this prevents them from being misplaced and saves you time looking for them instead of working. Talk to your family about your workspace so you can establish boundaries between your workspace and your family.
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.
Follow All Safety Protocols when Going Outside
Despite being a virtual mechanical engineer, sometimes you’ll still be required to go to the office to do your job. And because the pandemic continues to remain a threat, following all health protocols is a must. If you’re going to the office, be sure to bring all your tools and equipment, wear your facemask, and practice social distancing.
Aside from wearing your facemask and practicing social distancing, the best way to protect yourself and your family is to get vaccinated. Getting vaccinated makes you more resistant to Covid and reduces your risk of becoming seriously ill if you get infected.
Take Advantage of your Breaks
Another advantage that remote work has that many often forget is how much you’re in control of your time. Because you’re now under less supervision than in an office, you can accomplish your tasks ahead of time then use the rest for rest. Doing this allows you to spend more time with your family or yourself.
Of course, I’m not saying that you should just work minimally then laze about. You should still strike a balance between leisure and work. Taking breaks prevents you from suffering work fatigue and stress, which could lead to burnout.
So how do I take a break from work? Yes, I know this sounds silly. But some of you just stop working and then continue worrying about work, defeating the purpose of taking a break. Detach yourself from work by taking a walk, for example. Or perhaps, you can spend more time with your family to take your mind off your worries. There are many things you can do to rest.
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. These advice applies to a variety of jobs because they’re that important for your work.
Of course, these 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.
