21301 Mechanical engineers

What this occupation covers

Mechanical engineers research, design and develop machinery and systems for heating, ventilating and air conditioning, power generation, transportation, processing and manufacturing. They also perform duties related to the evaluation, installation, operation and maintenance of mechanical systems. They are employed by consulting firms, by power-generating utilities and in a wide range of manufacturing, processing and transportation industries, or they may be self-employed.

Official main duties

The NOC profile lists 9 main duties for this code.

• Conduct research into the feasibility, design, operation and performance of mechanisms, components and systems
• Plan and manage projects, and prepare material, cost and timing estimates, reports and design specifications for machinery and systems
• Design power plants, machines, components, tools, fixtures and equipment
• Analyze dynamics and vibrations of mechanical systems and structures
• Supervise and inspect the installation, modification and commissioning of mechanical systems at construction sites or in industrial facilities
• Develop maintenance standards, schedules and programs and provide guidance to industrial maintenance crews
• Investigate mechanical failures or unexpected maintenance problems
• Prepare contract documents and evaluate tenders for industrial construction or maintenance
• Supervise technicians, technologists and other engineers and review and approve designs, calculations and cost estimates.

Do not copy these lines into your reference letter. The letter has to describe what you actually did, in your employer’s words. DUTYPROOF flags wording lifted from the NOC as something to review, and an officer reading a letter that mirrors the NOC reads it the same way.

What DUTYPROOF screens for

This is DUTYPROOF’s screening threshold, not IRCC’s decision. For this NOC, screening requires at least 2 of its 9 official duties to be evidenced in your own words, plus the required letter elements. IRCC asks that you performed the actions in the occupation’s lead statement and a substantial number of its main duties — so treat the duty coverage as the number that matters, not the badge.

Codes this one is confused with

The NOC profile names these itself. Choosing the wrong code of a look-alike pair is the most common way genuine work experience fails to establish eligibility.

• 20010 Engineering managers
• 21321 Industrial and manufacturing engineers
• 21322 Metallurgical and materials engineers
• 92100 Power engineers and power systems operators

Excluded from this code

• Engineering managers (See 20010 Engineering managers)
• Industrial and manufacturing engineers (See 21321 Industrial and manufacturing engineers)
• Metallurgical and materials engineers (See 21322 Metallurgical and materials engineers)
• Power engineer (See 92100 Power engineers and power systems operators)
• Stationary engineer (See 92100 Power engineers and power systems operators)

Job titles filed under this code

A title on this list does not by itself put your experience in this code — the duties in your letter decide that.

acoustical engineer · acoustics and vibration engineer · acoustics engineer · automotive engineer · building systems engineer · building systems engineering project manager · chief mechanical engineer · consulting mechanical engineer · cryogenics engineer · design engineer - mechanical · diesel engineer - design and research · energy conservation engineer · fluid mechanics engineer · gas utilization mechanical engineer · heating specialist engineer · heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) engineer · internal combustion engineer · lubrication engineer · maintenance engineering lead - mechanical · marine mechanical engineer · mechanical design engineer · mechanical engineer · mechanical engineering lead · mechanical engineering project manager

Employment requirements

• A bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required.
• A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required.
• Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
• Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.