Managers of the mechanical engineer are accountable for overall management of the department of mechanical engineering which includes both administrative and technical aspects. They also work on team members and serve as head engineer under the general supervision of an engineer on project. They oversee design and engineering teams and have to be able to lead effectively and possess excellent communications skills.
Mechanical engineers manage their own work schedules for the department, and update it for weekly meetings with staff. They work with project engineers to make sure the technical and staffing requirements of every project are fulfilled by the departmental personnel. Managers of mechanical engineers can be designated as a team leader engineer, and they coordinate the design elements of the project. This can include calculations and designs and field work.
They should have hands-on knowledge of equipment selection as well as layout of equipment, working with HVAC systems, piping systems, as well as process system. Managers of mechanical engineers also design and oversee staff training and performance appraisals for employees, assist in the preparation of proposals, and also approve budgets and timesheets. They are usually required to travel to construction places and professional conferences and may also have to perform over the weekend according to deadlines and work load.
Mechanical engineer managers generally need to have a bachelor's degree in engineering. Certain employers require additional certifications like the registration of an engineer professional. The majority of employers require SolidWorks and also the ability to read machine symbols. Certain companies require minimum 10 years of experience in mechanical or electrical engineering.