Mechanical Design

“I like knowing we’re making a product that can be used on a daily basis.”

— Michelle Smith, Wilson Tool

See how Michelle makes it work

Women working in CAD program

What do Mechanical Designers do?

  • Design or alter products, taking into account factors such as price, manufacturability and aesthetics.
  • Create designs and drawings for products and machines using the latest computer hardware, 3D modeling and computer-aided design (CAD) manufacturing software.
  • Specify manufacturing instructions for the creation and assembly of parts.
  • Get into rapid prototyping, 3D printing, reverse engineering and analysis of competitors’ products.

Career Facts

High Demand

Companies are seeking trained mechanical designers.

A good living

Mechanical designers in Minnesota make a median wage of $56,638 a year.

Strong Placement

77% of mechanical design students are hired within 6 months of graduation.

A growing Field

197 students graduate each year from mechanical design programs in Minnesota.

Intense Screentime

You’ll spend lots of time working on a computer.

 

Mechanical Design Careers

  • CAD drafter
  • CAD designer
  • Engineering technician
  • Mechanical technician

You may complete your education in:

  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 year
  • 2 years

College Programs

St. Cloud Technical and Community College, St. Cloud

Lake Superior College, Duluth

Testimonial

“I like knowing that we’re making a product that can be used on a daily basis. It’s going to be something that you see the final outcomes in the world, and you can say ‘I made that.’”

— Michelle Smith, Wilson Tool

Sources

Research and information taken from Career OneStop, Career Manufacturing, CAREERWise Education (formerly iSeek), Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic, Minnesota State Colleges & Universities Workforce Assessment Initiative, National Association of Manufacturers, O*NET, The Manufacturing Institute, U.S. Department of Labor and Wanted Analytics. Information is subject to change without notice.