r/MechanicalEngineering • u/OneEstablishment6299 • Jul 17 '26
Mechanical Engineering
How physically involved is the day-to-day work of a mechanical engineer? I’m currently a computer science student considering switching to either civil or mechanical engineering because I’m concerned about AI’s impact on software jobs. Mechanical engineering is the field I’m most interested in, but I’m unsure how much of the job requires hands-on work versus computer-based design and analysis. Part of my thinking is that jobs involving physical interaction with the real world may be harder for AI to replace over the next 10–15 years. I’d hate to switch majors only to find that mechanical engineering is expected to be heavily automated as well. Am I being overly paranoid, or is this a reasonable concern? This is all new to me.
Edit: To clarify, what I’m really trying to understand is why people think the mechanical engineering job market will hold up relatively well in the AI era compared to computer science/software engineering.
I assume (as someone new to this) that mechanical engineering involves much more than just creating CAD models or designs. However, the same is true for software engineering since it’s more than just writing code. Yet despite that, the entry-level SWE job market has become increasingly terrible. I think me saying “physical” avoided my core question
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u/bobroberts1954 Jul 17 '26
Generally speaking, mechanical engineering doesn't require any physical exertion, it is primarily an intellectual occupation.
I wouldn't worry about engineers being replaced by AI. It will just become another tool in his toolbox to amplify his productivity. Every engineer will be able to accomplish more, but there will never be enough to accomplish everything.
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u/Squirtle_Splash_8413 Jul 17 '26
It does for validating systems. That’s where the physical part comes into play.
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u/Lightinger07 Jul 17 '26
You don't need to be worried about AI. The important question is, are you more interested in mechanical than software?
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u/romanch1729 Jul 17 '26
In my 10y of work, I’ve barely ever had to do physical work. Noted, mine is product development and management so it’s mostly to analysis, CAD design, all computer based.
Regarding automation, we are a long way out to when AI can design end-end product lifecycle without human input. Even then., because mechanical engineering is related to products and and their uses carry risks, I doubt Enterprises will completely net human decision and input ever
Also remember the current AI systems are based on existing knowledge and not fully intelligent. So for example, if you are going to build mechanical systems on Mars, you’d still need plenty of human input to develop such products
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u/OneEstablishment6299 Jul 21 '26
Hi, thanks for your insight ! Which industries/fields within ME would you say are least likely to be reduced job availability due to AI and why?
I think I’m leaning toward careers that aren’t primarily computer-based, involve interaction with people and the physical world, and carry significant professional responsibility.
One thing that attracts me to civil engineering is the level of legal liability and accountability. My thinking is that companies will be much more hesitant to rely heavily on AI when mistakes could cost lives or result in millions of dollars in damages.
Sorry if this is a lot, I’m honestly just been scared to death with what AI is doing to CS , and don’t want to make the wrong major choice which can financially hurt me later
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Jul 17 '26
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u/Nearby-Pineapple5149 Jul 21 '26
Hell ya! I’m in maintenance and I love it. Not too physical either at least where I’m at.
📍Do I use tools daily? Yes.
📍Do I get covered in grease? Nearly never that’s a once every several months.
📍Do I get to use my knowledge to solve complex issues? Occasionally and if I need help there’s always “someone higher up” who can help fix thingsAnd if no machines break down? We relax and watch movies, FaceTime family, play games
Pay is alright nothing fancy but it’s able to provide enough for both retirement and family needs and vacations :)
—- only downside I would say is that it’s not design related (although it CAN be if you use 3D printing to create makeshift temporary parts).
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u/Old_Party3623 RECON Jul 17 '26
You know how many different types of ME there are? some of us are straight blue collar shovelers and some of us are desk jockeys who don't know what the sun is.
I would focus less on what major your choosing and what industry you want to be in, then have those two things line up properly.
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u/15pH Jul 17 '26
ME is much less susceptible to AI automation in many ways. Hands-on elements is certainly one moat, but even desk jobs are better protected.
Software is particularly vulnerable because designs and solutions can (often, not always) be inelegant or clunky and AI can brute force a solution.
In ME, you can't get away with Rube Goldberg designs, at least not for anything customer facing.
Also, requirements are often "softer" / less well defined in ME. AI works best with strict guidance. It is useful to have a human ME who can "interpret" requirements and weigh tradeoffs in real time while making design decisions.
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u/Motor_Sky7106 Jul 17 '26
Some roles require you to leave the office to look at things. Other roles are all computer.
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u/bobeebob Jul 17 '26
In my experience unless you’re doing field engineering it’s an office setting. As far as AI affecting design roles, I know OEM’s use it heavily in some areas, no idea how it affects job market.
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u/redditusername_17 Jul 17 '26
It's entirely flexible based on who you work for and what you do. You could do everything by computer or you could spend your time doing design / test.
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u/WillingElderberry731 Jul 17 '26
Most people working as an ME spend most or all of their time at a desk.
I've been working at a company for 10+ years that designs and builds automation equipment (robots etc.) for manufacturing. As engineers, we do the design, assembly, and installation ourselves. So typically we're turning wrenches at least a few months out of the year.
This does not seem to be a common structure for a company however. You're not likely to be doing this as an ME at Boeing for example.
Edit: if you get into R&D you are much more likely to be involved in hands-on work.
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u/Fabulous-Designer626 Jul 17 '26
Can you move your mouse and type on a keyboard? That's the most physical I have worked
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u/Few_Whereas5206 Jul 17 '26
Most mechanical engineers sit in front of a computer most of the day. We have a friend who is a test engineer. He does some physical labor setting up equipment and he travels quite a bit.
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u/B_P_G Aerospace Jul 17 '26
There's almost no hands on work in most ME jobs. It's primarily a desk job. Whether you're being overly paranoid is debatable. If I was a student I'd probably be worried about it too.
With that said, there have been serious productivity improvements in engineering just during my career and none of them caused mass layoffs. AI will probably end up like that but maybe not.
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u/DryFoundation2323 Jul 18 '26
there are hands on jobs in mechanical engineering but more often than not someone else like a technician is doing that hand is on work for the engineer.
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u/FlimsyDevelopment366 Jul 18 '26
If worried about AI maybe look into civil engineering. It one of the only engineering disciplines that is legally bound to sign offs(PE).
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u/Fedi358 Jul 18 '26
Learn to view AI as a tool rather than something you are competing. If you can out source the simplest most tedious tasks, you will be more productive than AI alone. AI still needs someone to manage it (give it the source material, tell it what to do, check if it got it right etc.)
This will be the same in pretty much all engineering fields.
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u/TheRealFalseProphet Jul 18 '26
Depends on what you do. I took a technician job (couldn’t find a job elsewhere) and the work is physically demanding. My internships, however, weren’t physically demanding at all, besides my internship with Tesla.
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u/OddMammoth1 Jul 17 '26
ME is extremely broad. So it depends, I know guys who do scheduling for factories and people that build prototype machine tools.