In today's world, mechanical engineers hold leadership positions roles in many industries, including aerospace, biomechanical and biomedical engineering, construction, electronics, national defense, power generation, and transportation. Within these industries, engineers may participate in the design of machinery or fluid handling systems, the analysis of heat transfer from electronics packages or of vibration in mechanical systems, the automation of manufacturing processes, the efficient operation of industrial plants, the marketing of technical products or services, or any number of other activities. An individual's contribution may be anywhere in the spectrum from the highly theoretical to imminently practical and often involves taking a role as a leader of engineers and other members of the organization.

Because mechanical engineers in industry, government or the university engage in such a great variety of activities, their education must be broadly based. Although individual engineers may specialize within their industry positions or in their graduate study, each must have the background needed to contribute in any of several technical areas, to combine knowledge of multiple topics when necessary and to interact with members of other disciplines and professions in accomplishing engineering goals. Because of their breadth and depth, they are often called on to lead the efforts of organizational teams.