Mechanical engineers design and manufacture power plants, machinery and equipment for industry, and are expert in producing energy and converting it to other forms. They work closely with industrial engineers and managers in many fields to design innovative machinery and systems that yield economies in production. They may design turbines, earth-moving machinery, food processors, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, artificial hearts and limbs, and engines for aircrafts or automobiles. The demand for mechanical engineers is increasingly broad, as new industries emerge, and old industries take advantage of automation developments and new sources of energy.
Mechanical engineers work in a range of areas, from very large mining, refining, construction and manufacturing companies to small or self-owned companies. Graduates are also employed by government departments, private building services, and consulting engineering companies.

This major offers core courses in design, mathematics, modelling, computing, management and engineering science. Electives in later years allow students to pursue individual career options. Principal study topics are fluid mechanics; thermodynamics and heat transfer; solid mechanics; manufacturing; energy systems; dynamics and control. Students may also undertake a minor in materials engineering. Minors are available in materials engineering, minerals process engineering or mining engineering.

Employment opportunities in Australia and overseas range from the very large mining, refining, construction and manufacturing companies to small companies in which you might be the only engineer. Mechanical engineers are in demand in government departments and authorities and in private building services and consulting engineering companies. Some graduates even start their own companies soon after leaving university.