MECHANICAL ENGINEERS
CAREER R&D
ARE YOU TRULY HAPPY AT WORK? AND IF NOT, DO YOU KNOW WHAT'S MISSING?
Drawing from the insights of our long-term mechanical engineering recruiters, we identified 23 areas instrumental to career enjoyment and surveyed mechanical engineers to find out which factors mattered most and how they correlated with satisfaction.
In addition to our research, we dove into 15 key areas based on their importance to respondents. Explore our insights into how these factors influence your peers’ satisfaction, and where and how to achieve them.
Sense of autonomy
Clear expectations for work
opportunities for growth
work contributes to company success
Do you need to feel like your work makes a difference at your company?
job security
performance evaluations
Reliable Peers
skill development
Company and Job stability
Find stability with a new company or take steps to secure your current position.
Transparency
PERSONAL VALUES ALIGNMENT
What would you be willing to give up to work for a company whose mission aligns with your personal values?
Recognition for work
Manager Cares About you
According to a recent workplace study, 79% of employees surveyed reported having been micromanaged at work (Trinity Solutions). Are you in this majority? Having some sense of autonomy is essential to feeling happy on the job.
correlation with job satisfaction
- When employees have an appropriate level of autonomy, 76% are satisfied
- When employees feel they don’t have enough say in their day-to-day work, 48% are satisfied
IMPORTANCE VS PERFORMANCE RANK
16/23
LOWER IMPORTANCE
4/23
EXCELLENT DELIVERY
+12 GAP
STRONG RETURNS
EXCELLENT DELIVERY

-Mechanical Engineer

Of the mechanical engineers we surveyed, 90% say they’re happier doing their job when their manager sets clear expectations for their work products and behavior. But those same engineers report that most employers aren’t delivering on it.
correlation with job satisfaction
- When engineers have clear work expectations, 90% say they’re happier at work
- When engineers lack clear expectations, only 47% report satisfaction at work
IMPORTANCE VS PERFORMANCE RANK
4/23
HIGH IMPORTANCE
19/23
DELIVERED POORLY
-15 GAP
LARGE GAP
DELIVERED POORLY

-Mechanical Engineer

When mechanical engineers feel like their salary is what it should be, 81% are happier going to work. Is your salary meeting expectations?
correlation with job satisfaction
- When compensation IS in line with expectations, 81% are satisfied with their job
- When compensation is NOT in line with expectations, 51% are satisfied with their job
IMPORTANCE VS PERFORMANCE RANK
14/23
MEDIUM IMPORTANCE
12/23
DELIVERED ON WELL
+2 GAP
SMALL GAP
DELIVERED ON FAIRLY WELL

-Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical engineers consistently rank the opportunity to grow as a top indicator of employee satisfaction — but they say most employers fail to deliver on it.
correlation with job satisfaction
- When companies provide engineers with opportunities for growth, 89% say they’re happier at work
- When companies don’t provide engineers opportunities for growth, 50% say they’re satisfied at work
IMPORTANCE VS PERFORMANCE RANK
6/23
MEDIUM IMPORTANCE
22/23
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
-16 GAP
LARGE GAP
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

-Mechanical Engineer

Of the mechanical engineers surveyed, 85% say they’re happier at work when their employers value their ideas. Do you feel like your opinion matters?
correlation with job satisfaction
- When mechanical engineers feel like their ideas are taken seriously, 85% are happy at work
- When engineers don’t feel like their ideas are valued, only 35% are happy at work
IMPORTANCE VS PERFORMANCE RANK
5/23
HIGH IMPORTANCE
7/23
SOME ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
-2 GAP
SMALL GAP
DELIVERED ON FAIRLY WELL

-Ruby Lawler, Aerotek Practice Lead

When mechanical engineers see their hard work reflected in their company’s success, 80% of those surveyed say they’re happier.
correlation with job satisfaction
-
Of the engineers who report feeling like they’re contributing to the success of the company, 80% are happier. When mechanical engineers don’t feel like their work makes a difference, only 36% are happy.
IMPORTANCE VS PERFORMANCE RANK
9/23
MEDIUM IMPORTANCE
3/23
DELVIERED ON EXCEEDINGLY WELL
-6 GAP
SMALL GAP
DELIVERED ON WELL

-Mechanical Engineer

A majority of mechanical engineers, 64% of contractors and 58% of full-time employees, wish to remain in their current job. You may fall into that majority, but does your current position offer you the type of security you desire?
correlation with job satisfaction
- When mechanical engineers DO have job security, 86% are satisfied
- When they do NOT have job security, 39% are satisfied
IMPORTANCE VS PERFORMANCE RANK
8/23
HIGH IMPORTANCE
13/23
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
-5 GAP
MEDIUM GAP
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

-Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical engineers who receive substantive feedback from their managers are happier and more engaged at work. You also perform better! So how deep did your last performance evaluation go?
correlation with job satisfaction
- When engineers have clear communication about their performance, 89% are happier at work
- When engineers don’t know how they’re performing at work, 45% report satisfaction
IMPORTANCE VS PERFORMANCE RANK
3/23
HIGH IMPORTANCE
18/23
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
-15 GAP
LARGE GAP
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

-Mechanical Engineer

Cultivating productive work relationships with your peers is an essential factor in career growth and promotion. Because networking is a key aspect of career advancement, the quality of your relationships at work can vastly impact your chances for climbing the ladder — and enjoying your job.
correlation with job satisfaction
- When peers CAN be relied on for help, 81% are satisfied with their job
- When peers are NOT reliable, only 50% are satisfied with their job
IMPORTANCE VS PERFORMANCE RANK
17/23
HIGH IMPORTANCE
16/23
DELIVERED ON WELL
+1 GAP
SMALL GAP
DELVERED ON WELL

-Mechanical Engineer

Of the mechanical engineers surveyed, 82% are happy when they’re learning a lot of different skills. When was the last time you learned a new skill set on the job?
correlation with job satisfaction
- When engineers feel like they’re gaining a broad spectrum of skills on the job, 82% are happy
- When engineers don’t feel like they’re learning any new skills, 46% are satisfied with their job
IMPORTANCE VS PERFORMANCE RANK
10/23
MEDIUM IMPORTANCE
6/23
DELIVERED ON FAIRLY WELL
+4 GAP
SMALL GAP
DELVIERED ON FAIRLEY WELL

-Contract Mechanical Engineer

How stable does your position feel? A full 82% of mechanical engineers surveyed say they’re happier when they feel confident about the long-term status of their jobs.
correlation with job satisfaction
- When they feel confident about the long-term status of their jobs, 82% are satisfied at work
- When engineers feel uncertain about their company’s stability, only 49% are satisfied with their job
IMPORTANCE VS PERFORMANCE RANK
11/23
MEDIUM IMPORTANCE
14/23
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
-3 GAP
SMALL GAP
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

-Mechanical Engineer

Of mechanical engineers surveyed, 89% are happier in their job when their company’s communications are transparent. Do you feel like your company is keeping you in the loop?
correlation with job satisfaction
- When engineers feel work communications are transparent, 89% are satisfied with their job
- When engineers feel in the dark about their position and company, only 48% are satisfied with their job
IMPORTANCE VS PERFORMANCE RANK
7/23
MEDIUM IMPORTANCE
20/23
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
-13 GAP
LARGE GAP
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

- Contract Mechanical Engineer

Of mechanical engineers surveyed, 78% believe they’re happier in their career when their personal values match their employer’s values.
correlation with job satisfaction
- When business practices do NOT align with personal values, 54% are satisfied with their job
- When business practices DO align with personal values, 78% are satisfied with their job
IMPORTANCE VS PERFORMANCE RANK
12/23
MEDIUM IMPORTANCE
11/23
DELVIERED ON FAIRLY WELL
+1 GAP
SMALL GAP
DELVIERED ON WELL

-Justin Dragoo, Aerotek Strategic Account Executive

According to a Gallup study, only 1 in 3 American employees surveyed strongly agreed they’d been recognized for performing well at work in the past week. Yet, employee recognition is one of the most powerful ways to motivate workers. Is your hard work rewarded and appreciated?
correlation with job satisfaction
- When they don’t feel their hard work is appreciated, 39% are satisfied with their job
- When engineers feel recognized for their efforts, 86% are satisfied with their job.
IMPORTANCE VS PERFORMANCE RANK
2/23
TOP IMPORTANCE
8/23
DELVIERED ON FAIRLY WELL
-6 GAP
SMALL GAP
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

-Mechanical Engineer

Among the mechanical engineers surveyed, having a manager who’s invested in them is the No. 1 driver for happiness at their job. But unfortunately, those surveyed ranked the performance of this driver at the bottom — meaning companies aren’t delivering. How is your manager setting you up for success?
correlation with job satisfaction
- When they feel their managers are invested in their future, 76% are satisfied with their job
- When employees sense their managers don’t care, 38% are satisfied with their job
IMPORTANCE VS PERFORMANCE RANK
1/23
TOP IMPORTANCE
21/23
MUCH ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
-20 GAP
LARGE GAP
MUCH ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

-Mechanical Engineer
