National Occupational Classification (NOC): 21301
Fast Facts
- Average Pay: N/A
- Future Growth: N/A
- Skill Level: N/A
- Employment Size: N/A
- Unemployment: N/A
- Full-time Share: N/A
Sample Job Titles
- acoustics engineer
- automotive engineer
- design engineer - mechanical
- fluid mechanics engineer
- heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) engineer
- mechanical maintenance engineer
- nuclear engineer
- piping engineer
- thermal design engineer
- tool engineer
What do mechanical engineers do?
Mechanical engineers research, design and develop machinery and systems for heating, ventilating and air conditioning, power generation, transportation, processing and manufacturing. They also perform duties related to the evaluation, installation, operation and maintenance of mechanical systems. They are employed by consulting firms, by power-generating utilities and in a wide range of manufacturing, processing and transportation industries, or they may be self-employed.
Mechanical engineers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Conduct research into the feasibility, design, operation and performance of mechanisms, components and systems
- Plan and manage projects, and prepare material, cost and timing estimates, reports and design specifications for machinery and systems
- Design power plants, machines, components, tools, fixtures and equipment
- Analyze dynamics and vibrations of mechanical systems and structures
- Supervise and inspect the installation, modification and commissioning of mechanical systems at construction sites or in industrial facilities
- Develop maintenance standards, schedules and programs and provide guidance to industrial maintenance crews
- Investigate mechanical failures or unexpected maintenance problems
- Prepare contract documents and evaluate tenders for industrial construction or maintenance
- Supervise technicians, technologists and other engineers and review and approve designs, calculations and cost estimates.
Source: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, Employment and Social Development Canada
Mechanical engineers primarily work in the following subsectors (NAICS) in Newfoundland and Labrador:
- 541 Professional, scientific and technical services
- 211 Oil and gas extraction
- 212 Mining and quarrying (except oil and gas)
- 221 Utilities
- 213 Support activities for mining, oil and gas extraction
- 238 Specialty trade contractors
Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada
Short and Long Term Occupational Projections
Short Term Projections for 2023-2025
The employment outlook will be moderate for mechanical engineers in Newfoundland and Labrador (rating of 3 out of 5) for the 2023-2025 period.
Source: Job Bank, Government of Canada
Long Term Projections for 2023-2032
The outlook for mechanical engineers is forecast to be balanced (rating of 2.3 out of 4) over the next several years, meaning projected labour supply is expected to meet forecasted job openings.
Source: Department of Finance, Occupation Projections (Summer 2023)
Number of Job Postings in 2023
During 2023, there were 120 public job postings for this occupation, with the following distribution:
| Avalon: 63% | Western: 4% |
| Eastern: 7% | Labrador: 23% |
| Central: 2% | NL-unspecified: 2% |
Source: Lightcast (note: data used in this analysis reflects new unique monthly postings which are totaled for the calendar year)
Who works as mechanical engineers in Newfoundland and Labrador?
During the reference week of May 2021, there were approximately 490 people working in this occupation in Newfoundland and Labrador. 89% of those employed were Male+ and 11% of those employed were Female+.
Here is the age group breakdown for this group of workers:
| 15 to 24 | 25 to 54 | 55 to 64 | 65+ |
| 3% | 87% | 6% | 4% |
Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada
How much do mechanical engineers make?
Annual Earnings
The median employment income for all mechanical engineers in the reference year 2020 (530 workers in total, including those working part-time and full-time, as well as part-year and full-year) was $115,000.
Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada
Hourly Earnings
Salary information for mechanical engineers in Newfoundland and Labrador is as follows:
| Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) | |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $31.75 | $43.27 | $67.60 |
The following low, median, and high wages are for Canada:
| Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) |
| $26.44 | $43.27 | $69.47 |
Source: Job Bank, Government of Canada
Most Frequently Sought Skills from Job Postings (2023)
- Mechanical Engineering
- Project Management
- Maintenance Engineering
- Engineering Design Process
- Mechanical Systems
- Asset Management
- Procurement
- Commissioning
- Electrical Engineering
- Construction
Source: Lightcast
What training is required?
- A bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required.
- A master’s degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required.
- Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
- Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.
- There is considerable mobility between mechanical engineering specializations at the less senior levels.
- Supervisory and senior positions in this unit group require experience.
- Mechanical engineers work closely with civil, electrical, aerospace, chemical, industrial and other engineers, and mobility is possible between some fields of specialization in these disciplines.
- Engineers often work in a multidisciplinary environment and acquire knowledge and skills through work experience that may allow them to practise in associated areas of science, engineering, sales, marketing or management.
Source: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, Employment and Social Development Canada
* Find public and private education, training and skills development opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador here.