This is a comparison between Mechanical vs Structural Engineering. One discipline, where the focus is on system or objects that move, the other is generally focused on structures that (hopefully!) do not move.

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Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering is the physical construction of machines, engines and structures. Mechanical engineers become skilled in the techniques and tools needed to design, build and test these various structures, machines etc. The work of a mechanical engineer keeps water supplies clean, the public safe and healthy and buildings preserved and sound.

A bachelors degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology is required for the majority of mechanical engineering positions. Employers do generally prefer to hire potential candidates with masters degrees, however. As of May 2016, 83% of mechanical engineers possess bachelors degrees. In addition to this, mechanical engineers must be licensed in whatever state they reside in to sell their engineering services to the public.

Problem solving skills are then used by mechanical engineers to design, develop and test physical devices and machines. Their engineering expertise is drawn on to analyse problems such as equipment failures, and to produce solutions using mechanical devices. Computer technology and science are then used to analyse and design subsystems, as well as to develop and test their prototypes. Mechanical engineers that are familiar with the latest tools can avail of technology like 3-D printing and 3D CAD software like AutoCAD, Revit, Inventor and Fusion 360, and this can even eliminate the need for a prototype. This will bring a project from its concept to a finalized product in a much shorter time frame.

Structural Engineering

Structural engineering, a specialization within the discipline of civil engineering, concentrates on structural framework. It is also concerned with creating those structures to be able to hold under the pressures and stresses of their environment and stay stable, secure and safe during their use. In simple terms, structural engineers ensure that bridges don’t collapse and buildings don’t fall down.

Another area where it is mechanical vs structural engineering is the age of both disciplines. Structural engineering is also one of the oldest fields of engineering. It goes back to branches of trees being tied in bundles with vines to create shelter. Throughout history, we have been building and designing bigger and more complicated structures, from the International Space Station to ancient huts.

We will never know the identities of the earliest structural engineers. We won’t know who created the Parthenon, Hanging Gardens in Babylon or the Roman Empire’s Aqueducts. Prominent latter-day structural engineers were Eero Saarinen (Gateway Arch) and Gustave Eiffel (Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty – an impressive portfolio!). Most famous modern structures’ designs are created by government organizations and companies.

Mechanical vs Structural Engineering Careers

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering careers offer exceptional earning potential and strong job prospects. In 2018, mechanical engineers earned an average salary of $87,370, more than double the average for all other occupations. Engineering and architectural managers earned an average wage of nearly $141,000 per year at that same time. Most of these well paid positions can accept applicants with a bachelors degree, a lot of senior level roles do require a masters degree however.

Mechanical engineering careers can offer you the chance to solve problems, drive discovery and help shape the world. A mechanical engineer working in the aerospace industry might design a robotic probe that can be used to explore far reaches of the solar system. Similarly, a mechanical engineer working in a medical device manufacturer could develop new diagnostic tools that would be able to detect disease earlier and hopefully save lives.

Exceptional salaries are attainable with a mechanical engineering job. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), mechanical engineering technicians earned an average salary that was $18,000 more than the average pay for all other occupations in 2018. To work as a mechanical engineering technician you only need an associate degree or post secondary certificate, if you decide to further your education and pursue a specialization, this can open the door to even higher compensation and more opportunities.

Computer software/hardware engineers, chemical engineers and aerospace engineers all received median salaries over $100,000 during 2018. The well paying petroleum industry paid out an average salary of more than $137,000 during 2018.

Structural Engineering

Nearly all jobs in structural engineering need at minimum an engineering bachelors degree. Most employers, especially those that provide professional engineering consulting, also require licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE). Similarly, a masters degree is needed for any advancement to a management position, and ongoing training and education is needed to stay up-to-date with the ever changing computer hardware, materials, technology, government regulations and computer software.

Salary.com states, the yearly wage for a recently graduated structural engineer possessing a bachelors degree is from $41,045 – $62,883. The salary range for an experienced engineer with a masters degree and 5 – 10 years of experience is from $74,600 – $102,063; and the salary range for a structural engineer possessing a masters degree and 10 years experience is from $87,562 – $113,770. A lot of engineers with experience and advanced postgraduate degrees are regularly promoted to more advanced positions or form their own company, with which they can make even more money than the yearly wages stated above.

Mechanical vs Structural Engineering Education

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering relates to applying science and math fundamentals to solving problems related to just about any object that can move or is in motion. This includes machines and robots, but also the less obvious objects like the human body. Mechanical engineering programs include the study of the subjects engineers need to know in order to design and build devices, tools and machines that relate to moving objects and machines.

The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), have accredited the mechanical engineering programs that include coursework in science, engineering principles and mathematics such as differential equations and multivariate calculus. The main curriculum of these ABET accredited degrees is focused around learning to design, analyse, model and build the physical components, systems and processes used in fixing problems by building or improving mechanical or thermal systems.

Instrumentation, controls, materials, thermodynamics, heat transfer and solid and fluid mechanics are a few of the major subjects covered in mechanical engineering programs. Mechanical engineers must obtain hands-on experience in design and manufacturing, often through internships or cooperative work arrangements that are unpaid as part of their coursework. They also learn in the classroom and laboratory the practical skills that will be required throughout their career, as reported by the BLS. Other skills can be obtained by mechanical engineers by taking online courses, these course can be found on sites like LinkedIn Learning, who have courses on practically every subject. They also provide a certificate when the course is finished, and its free for the first 30 days!

Structural Engineering

To be qualified as a structural engineer, you’re required to have a bachelors degree in structural or civil engineering. Before you complete your degree in engineering, you have to possess good fundamentals in physics as well as specific areas of maths, like trigonometry, calculus and geometry. It is essential to have experience in these subjects, as structural engineering careers include the utilization of principles in these fields in order to solve real world issues.

To prepare properly for your education, you should start by completing coursework in the aforementioned subjects while you are still in high school. If you don’t have knowledge in physics and specialized areas of maths before starting college, you will find it hard to follow and even feel like you’re not on the same level as your peers.

A structural engineering degree generally includes coursework that relates to professional applications. Students will usually be taught materials engineering, dynamics and statics, engineering graphics, Computer Aided Design, conceptual structural design/analysis, among others. Students also do specialized analysis of structural design with most of the most popular construction materials: reinforced concrete, steel and composites. 

Many civil engineering or structural engineering courses also ask students to take classes in communications or English, as a lot of what structural engineers create consist of reports and drawings, making it essential for structural engineers to have great written and verbal communication skills.

Mechanical vs Structural Engineering Job Description

Mechanical Engineer

Elevators, refrigerators and air-conditioners are created and developed by mechanical engineers. Also, electrical tools and vehicle engines are improved through the research carried out by these professionals, in particular as they research more efficient products/devices and technologically advanced thermal sensors.

Mechanical engineers spend the vast majority of their time at a desk working at a computer, as they create models and simulations of their projects using CAD (Computer Aided Design). During their workflow they also carry out an analysis of the information generated by these tests, if they find a problem with their prototype, mechanical engineers have the knowledge and experience to create a solution to any problem. 

Some tasks that are the responsibility of a mechanical engineer include:

• Perform engineering calculations to support design work
• Create and review technical drawings, plans, and specifications using computer software
• Plan, conceptualize, and create mechanical designs for new products
• Ensure project timeline is met and project stays within budget
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams, and work with contractors and vendors
• Generate working prototypes for better testing and customer demonstration

Structural Engineer

Structural engineers work with civil engineers/architects quite often as essential parts of project teams.

Structures have to be able to withstand the conditions that are they subject to. A Canadian house has to have a roof that can hold the weight of snow in the Winter and a Californian sports stadium has to be able to bear earthquakes,. When designing bridges, engineers must consider the conditions of the terrain, water, wind and traffic. Structural engineers have to take all of these factors into account and give technical support about the current project.

Job responsibilities of a structural engineer include:

• Inspecting project sites to monitor progress and ensure the project is being constructed according to design specifications
• Analyzing blueprints, reports, maps and topographical and geological data
• Computing load and grade requirements, material stress factors and water flow rates to figure out design specs
• Conducting studies of traffic patterns or environmental conditions to identify potential problems and assess how they will affect the project
• Estimating the cost and quantities of equipment, labor and materials

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