Does a job as a Mechanical Engineer require one to compute difficult mathematical problems?

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

Hi, what if I don’t want to solve engineering problems as an engineer? What if I just want to build stuff? Am I in the right field? As an engineer, I was told that one doesn’t have to solve complicated problems in their field they can just build things like robots, machines and things of that nature. My uncle is a manufacturing engineer and he does not have to compute complicated math problems.

If Mechanical Engineers have to compute difficult mathematical problems what is another field in engineering does not require you to complete math problems.

2

There are many mechanical engineering jobs that don’t require you to do any complicated math. I have only directly used calculus a few times in the last 20 years. I use algebra and trig regularly, most of my colleagues use even less math than I do. Many engineering principles are based on the foundation of calculus, but also have closed form expressions to describe them.

3

You may not have to use math much after you are out of college depending on what your job actually is, but you do need to do a lot of math to get through college. There is no way to get an engineering degree if you aren’t good at math.

4

Technically an engineer is a person who designs, builds, or maintains engines, machines, or public works. Does your uncle have a degree in mechanical engineering or is he just involved with manufacturing? Both are engineers by definition. To get a degree in mechanical engineering will require high levels of math to get a job manufacturing machines that are designed by others may not even require a degree.

5

Do all Engineers have to do math? Which engineering discipline requires less math? I was told Mechanicals Engineer is such a broad major one can go into anything. I just want to build stuff.

6

Yes, all engineers have to do quite a bit of math in order to earn their degrees. Mechanical engineers are no exception. Like others have said, how much of it you use in your later career depends highly on the career path you take and will range from “none” to “a lot”. If you really don’t want to do too much math, you shouldn’t try to study engineering. Perhaps look into an engineering technology degree.

7

I agree with @boneh3ad. All engineering majors require a considerable amount of math to complete. Actual engineering jobs may or may not involve much math. At some jobs, you may never touch anything beyond basic algebra, whereas at others, you may find yourself writing complex numerical algorithms based on nonlinear differential equations.

If all you want to do is build things (as opposed to designing them or doing math), you may want to look into engineering technology. This is not to suggest that ET majors don’t have to do math–most ET curricula I’ve seen do require calculus and differential equations, but they will not require nearly as much math and it will not be as rigorous as that required of an engineering major. Furthermore, while individuals with engineering technology backgrounds may certainly find themselves in jobs that require some amount of math or design, you’re more likely to be able to find a job where you won’t have to do these things, and can instead focus on the practical/hands-on aspects of engineering.

8

So my advisor insisted I switch to Engineering Management and receive my Bachelors Degree since I find Mechanical Engineering a little difficult. However, there is sadly a 2% job growth in the industry. Mechanical Engineer is 5% which is better than Engineering Managment. Am I being advised wrong?

9

I am not sure if you could successfully manage engineers without having an understanding of what they do?

10

A BS in engineering management is completely useless.

Literally nobody is going to hire an engineering manager, or any kind of manager, who has zero management experience and zero technical experience.

You are being advised very wrong, and it has nothing to do with job growth.

11

You might look into industrial design if you want to build things but avoid too much math.

12

The concept of the “engineering management” industry makes me chuckle.

13

I will defend, with limits, “engineering management”. As some schools this is really a program that might be better described as a field engineer or site engineer. Often the word construction is added to the title. A technical person that has some responsibility for the installation or construction of equipment or projects.

I would encourage the OP to look in detail at the program and job placement for their own school.

14

^I would think that would be a “construction management” major, not “engineering management.”

15

And I would agree with you. Just sharing what I have come across over the years.

16

Are you asking the right question?

If you don’t like math, then engineering is not right for you. Engineering majors require much calculus and other math in many of the classes.

When you get a job, however, like other posters say you can use none or alot depending on what you are doing. You can work more "hands on"or more theoretically. There are many options.