Career path

What kind of work do mechanical engineers do after joining a company

Even among mechanical engineers, the tasks after joining can vary significantly depending on the company and department in Japan.
I have been affiliated with four companies, and the work assigned to new employees differed greatly across companies and departments.

In this article, I will explain the types of work given to new mechanical engineers, the pros and cons of each, and how to get assigned to the type of work you desire.

Three Types

There are various job contents, but for the sake of this article, we will categorize them into three types:

  

(1) Focused on Miscellaneous Tasks

In this type, the main tasks after joining are miscellaneous in nature.

The main tasks

  • Transporting prototypes
  • Preparing prototype parts
  • Requesting evaluations
  • Collecting evaluation results

The primary role here is to handle miscellaneous tasks related to advancing the actual prototyping and evaluation of development products.
Depending on the workplace, you might also be responsible for prototyping and evaluation yourself.

Characteristics of this type

This is just a generalization and exceptions exist, but this tendency is more prevalent in workplaces:

  • That have attached factories
  • That handle relatively small-sized devices

In cases of small devices, there's often a need to produce a significant number of samples, necessitating personnel to handle them.
New employees are frequently assigned to these roles, especially when there's an attached factory, as there are many hands-on tasks, leading to a bulk of miscellaneous tasks for newcomers. 

  

(2) Under a Senior's Supervision

In this category, newcomers learn the ropes under the guidance of a senior employee.

Main tasks

  • Document preparation
  • Simple design tasks

New employees often start by preparing basic documents.
Additionally, they might be tasked with designing fixtures (parts) for evaluation, which are relatively simple in nature.

Characteristics of this type

  • Factories are often located remotely or overseas
  • The main focus is on designing large machinery or system design
  • There are relatively many employees in the workplace

When the manufacturing factory is located remotely, there's less opportunity to interact directly with the product, and hence fewer miscellaneous tasks, leading to this type of role.
In addition, in cases of designing large machinery or systems like plants, there's no need to produce a lot of samples, leading to fewer miscellaneous tasks.
This type of role often requires a structured training system, hence larger teams are common.

  

(3) Primary Responsibility from the Start

In this type, after training, the employee immediately takes on key tasks.

Main tasks

  • Design
  • Coordination with various departments
  • Product launches at the factory

From the get-go, the tasks resemble those of mid-level employees.

Characteristics of this type

  • A variety of products are handled
  • Workplaces where personnel is limited

In workplaces handling a broad range of products, assigning responsibilities can be challenging, so even newcomers might immediately be given primary roles.
Additionally, in workplaces with limited personnel, this type of role tends to be the default.

   

Pros and Cons of Each Type

I've listed three types, but what are the pros and cons of each type?
Here's a brief explanation.
 

(1) Focused on Miscellaneous Tasks

Pros:

  • Numerous opportunities to handle the actual products, providing abundant learning experiences.
  • One can manage even in fields different from their university major.

Despite being menial tasks, you get to interact directly with the product, allowing you to learn about it firsthand.
I had ample opportunities to handle actual products and components at my previous job.

Even without specialized knowledge, tasks can be accomplished. This also means you can work comfortably in areas different from your university specialization.

Cons:

  • Doesn’t significantly improve specialized knowledge.
  • Interactions with factory workers can be mentally taxing, especially for introverted individuals.

Many factory workers can be intimidating. At my previous workplace, those with a so-called "sports-club" demeanor tended to have an advantage.

Some companies have newcomers start with menial tasks even if they join midway.
Therefore, if you're considering joining a company midway, be wary of this type.

 

(2) Under a Senior's Supervision

Pros:

  • You can learn the job step by step.
  • Mental stress is relatively low.

With this type, guidance from seniors ensures gradual learning. This is optimal for those who wish to learn slowly. As a new graduate, I started with this type of job, and given my personality, it was a good fit for me.

In addition, mental burdens tend to be lighter, since the senior is the primary in charge,.

Cons:

  • Work experience is heavily influenced by the compatibility with the senior.
  • Over-reliance on the senior.

Relying on guidance from the senior means that the nature of your work will significantly depend on their character.
Especially if the senior isn’t good at guiding, they might tend to leave the newcomer alone, requiring a proactive approach to seek help.

In addition, if this pattern persists for many years, one might become too dependent on the senior, and personal initiative might not develop.

   

(3) Primary Responsibility from the Start

Pros:

  • Rapid growth.
  • Development of autonomy.

The growth speed in this type is significantly faster.
After about three years since joining, one can be treated as an experienced worker, granting a good deal of discretion.
Hence, autonomy naturally develops.

For those joining a company midway, I personally recommend this type.

Cons:

  • If it's different from your university major, adapting can be challenging.
  • Feeling lost about what to do, leading to mental distress.

Being in charge from the start demands specialized knowledge.
If it's different from your university major, you'll initially struggle to acquire this knowledge.
Moreover, besides knowledge, you'll need to learn how to coordinate with others, making the beginning quite tough.

In workplaces where you're entirely left alone by seniors, you might feel lost and experience significant mental distress. It's crucial to be cautious and avoid burnout.

   

How to Get Assigned to the Desired Type?

To be allocated to your preferred type, you can:

Check reviews

These often include comments by actual engineers about the company or department's atmosphere.
However, different departments within the same company might vary, so reviews aren't always representative. Still, checking them is recommended.

Opt for companies with placement guarantees

Nowadays, many companies conduct interviews with department heads or managers who guarantee the department you'll be placed in.
If the placement is uncertain, the type of job you get becomes a matter of luck.
By choosing a company with placement assurance, your chances of getting your desired role increase.

Ask during the interview

If it's a placement-guaranteed system, you can ask specifics during the interview.
For example, you might ask,

"What exactly will be my responsibilities during the first and second years?"

   

Conclusion

The nature of work as a mechanical engineer varies greatly depending on the type you're assigned post-joining.
While I've mentioned ways to ensure you're assigned to your desired type, there are instances when the job might differ from your expectations.

If you don't land your preferred job, I recommend accepting it at first, giving it a try, and seeing if it suits you.

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