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Design Engineer, Engineer, Professional Engineer
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Mechanical engineers work on a variety of systems, including:
They can work in emerging fields such as:
This field is diverse and broad. Mechanical engineers can specialize in many different areas.
Design engineers create plans for new products, machines, industrial equipment, instruments, processes, and systems. They provide technical support when making changes to existing systems.
Development engineers analyze, test, and improve proposed products or processes.
Manufacturing engineers plan, develop, and research tools, processes, machines, and equipment. They strive to create the best products at the best prices.
Sales engineers work in technical sales and service.
Research engineers explore and develop new materials, processes, and engineering tools. These may lead to the creation of new products, systems, and applications.
Project engineers design, purchase, test, inspect, approve, install, and start mechanical equipment.
Piping engineers ensure safe operation of pipe and pipelines. They design and maintain piping and pipeline systems within and between industrial sites, and within commercial buildings. They also perform stress analysis of piping systems.
Mechanical engineers may work in office, lab, shop, or field settings. They do field work to review site conditions and inspect design construction. They may work in research and development labs. In the production departments of factories, they may supervise product testing and manufacturing.
Many need to travel often for project management, engineering, or technical sales. This may include domestic or international travel.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in synthesizing information to develop maintenance standards, schedules and programs, and to investigate mechanical failures and unexpected maintenance problems
Interest in precision working to design power plants, machines, components, tools, fixtures and equipment; and to analyze the dynamics and vibrations of mechanical systems and structures
Interest in supervising technicians, technologists and other engineers; and in overseeing the installation, modification and commissioning of mechanical systems at construction sites and in industrial facilities, in providing guidance to industrial maintenance crews, and in approving designs, calculations and cost estimates
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Mechanical engineers need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 67 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 11, 2021 and Apr 25, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Investigate mechanical failures or unexpected maintenance problems | 45 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Plan and manage projects, and prepare material, cost and timing estimates, reports and design specifications for machinery and systems | 44 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 43 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 40 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent written communication | 39 |
| Tasks: Develop maintenance standards, schedules and programs | 39 |
| Tasks: Conduct research into the feasibility, design, operation and performance of mechanisms, components and systems | 38 |
| Attention to detail | 37 |
| Construction Specialization: Reliability | 36 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication | 36 |
Mechanical engineers need at least a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
They must adapt to dramatic changes in skill requirements throughout their careers. They must be comfortable understanding and working with codes and standards.
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
Professional engineers design, construct, evaluate, advise, monitor, and report on the performance of materials, equipment, systems, works, processes, and structures.
Under Alberta’s Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act [pdf] and Engineering and Geoscience Professions General Regulation [pdf], you must register as a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) to practice as a Professional Engineer or engage in the practice of engineering.
You do not have to register if you work under the direct supervision of a professional engineer and do not call yourself a Professional Engineer or use the word “engineer” in your job title.
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Engineer.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Mechanical engineers work in:
Engineers may advance to administrative or management positions. They may become self-employed consultants. Those with graduate degrees may teach at the post-secondary level or conduct research.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
In the 2132: Mechanical engineers occupational group, 79.6% of people work in:
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 2132: Mechanical engineers occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.8% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 116 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.38 | $70.83 | $39.31 | $39.42 |
| Overall | $31.47 | $71.00 | $48.47 | $44.74 |
| Top | $37.82 | $116.04 | $61.01 | $55.00 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $96,549 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | $85,292 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $94,872 |
| Public Administration | $89,339 |
Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) website: www.apega.ca
Society of Mechanical Engineers website: www.sme.org
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2022. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
