Mechanical Engineers

Mechanical engineers still do a lot of hands-on design and testing, but software tools help them work faster. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says mechanical engineers “design, develop, build, and test” devices ^[1], and today many use computer software to simulate designs before building prototypes. In manufacturing, automated test rigs now measure parts’ strength and quality so engineers get fast feedback – “automated testing systems…produce goods faster while maintaining high levels of quality” ^[2].

AI for design is also emerging: researchers have trained AI models to suggest new part shapes, and when the AI is guided by performance goals it can produce designs even better than existing ones ^[3]. Overall, mundane or repetitive parts of the job (running calculations or tests) are often done by software or machines, while the creative, problem-solving parts (talking with clients, inventing new products) still need human engineers.

Whether firms adopt AI quickly depends on costs, trust, and rules. Mechanical engineers earn about $102,000 a year on average ^[1], so companies will only pay for AI if it clearly saves time or money. Also, engineers often must be licensed to approve designs for safety ^[1], so AI suggestions need careful review.

On the other hand, factories and firms see real gains: BLS projects 9% job growth through 2034, noting that as factories add more complex automated equipment ("innovation and automation"), engineers are still needed to integrate it ^[1]. In practice, most experts say AI will help engineers rather than replace them. For example, an MIT study likens AI to a “co-pilot” that could help make engineers “better and faster at creating innovative products” ^[3].

In short, AI tools are being added to the engineer’s toolbox, but human creativity, judgment, and communication remain valuable in this field ^{[1] [3]}.