0830 - Mechanical Engineering
Federal Occupation Description
Federal Occupation Description
Mechanical engineering work involves the generation and/or application of theories, principles, practical concepts, systems, and processes related to: the science of mechanical engineering (e.g., design, fluid dynamics, manufacturing processes, machine design, thermodynamics, and heat transfer), design standards, industry codes, and techniques; traditional engineering science disciplines (e.g., civil, electrical, and chemical); and advanced mathematics, physical science disciplines (e.g., physics, chemistry, and materials science), environmental science, and social science disciplines (e.g., economics). Mechanical engineers use a variety of materials and the physical laws governing them to produce mechanical systems and devices useful to societies and industries. The devices and systems are designed to function in a particular environment and/or under a wide range of conditions. Mechanical engineering contributes to the daily and extraordinary needs of societies, industries, and Government, and to new and extended theoretical knowledge and understanding of physical phenomena.
For job opportunities in this series, go to the Office of Personnel Management USAJOBS website.
Other Federal Occupations
It is not uncommon for individuals in one federal occupational series to perform duties related to another series within the same federal occupational group. To find out about the certifications for another series in the ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE GROUP, click on that series below. Note that credentials have not yet been identified for all series – links are provided only to those series for which the identification of credentials has been completed. Additional series will be added over time.
- 0801 - General Engineering Series
- 0802 - Engineering Technician Series
- 0803 - Safety Engineering Series
- 0804 - Fire Protection Engineering Series
- 0806 - Materials Engineering
- 0807 - Landscape Architecture Series
- 0808 - Architecture
- 0809 - Construction Control Technical Series
- 0810 - Civil Engineering
- 0817 - Survey Technical Series
- 0819 - Environmental Engineering Series
- 0828 - Construction Analyst Series
- 0840 - Nuclear Engineering
- 0850 - Electrical Engineering
- 0854 - Computer Engineering
- 0855 - Electronics Engineering
- 0856 - Electronics Technical
- 0858 - Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering Series
- 0861 - Aerospace Engineering
- 0871 - Naval Architecture
- 0873 - Marine Survey Technical Series
- 0880 - Mining Engineering Series
- 0881 - Petroleum Engineering Series
- 0890 - Agricultural Engineering Series
- 0893 - Chemical Engineering
- 0895 - Industrial Engineering Technical Series
- 0896 - Industrial Engineering Series
- 0899 - Engineering and Architecture Student Trainee Series

The following certifications have been identified as most relevant to the broad duties of this federal occupational series. Please note that these credentials may not reflect all of the unique job functions that you perform within your organization. Also these credentials may require additional education, training or experience. For more information about any credential, click on the credential title below.
Compare | Credential | Agency | Related As | GI Bill® | Accreditation | ID | |
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Certified in Plumbing Design (CPD) Is Not In Demand | American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) | ![]() |
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Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
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American Society for Quality (ASQ) | ![]() |
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Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE)
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American Society for Quality (ASQ) | ![]() |
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Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing Professional - Technologist Is Not In Demand | American Society of Mechanical Engineers International (ASME) | ![]() |
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Certified Plant Engineer (CPE) Is Not In Demand | Association for Facilities Engineering (AFE) | ![]() |
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Certified Plant Maintenance Manager (CPMM) Is Not In Demand | Association for Facilities Engineering (AFE) | ![]() |
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Certified GeoExchange Designer Is Not In Demand | Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) | ![]() |
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Fluid Power Connector and Conductor (CC) Is Not In Demand | International Fluid Power Society (IFPS) | ![]() |
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Fluid Power Engineer Is Not In Demand | International Fluid Power Society (IFPS) | ![]() |
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Hydraulic Specialist (HS) Is Not In Demand | International Fluid Power Society (IFPS) | ![]() |
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Pneumatic Specialist (PS) Is Not In Demand | International Fluid Power Society (IFPS) | ![]() |
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Certified Control Systems Technician - Level I (CCST-I) Is Not In Demand | International Society of Automation (ISA) | ![]() |
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Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE) Is Not In Demand | Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) | ![]() |
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Certified Manufacturing Technologist (CMfgT) Is Not In Demand | Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) | ![]() |
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Certified Technology Manager (CTM) Is Not In Demand | Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering | ![]() |
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Certified Senior Technology Manager (CSTM) Is Not In Demand | Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering | ![]() |
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Certified Lubrication Specialist (CLS) Is Not In Demand | Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) | ![]() |
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Oil Monitoring Analyst - I (OMA-I) Is Not In Demand | Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) | ![]() |
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Associate Engineering Technologist (AT) Is Not In Demand | National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) | ![]() |
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Plumbing Plans Examiner - P3 Is Not In Demand | International Code Council (ICC) | ![]() |
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Mechanical Plans Examiner - M3 Is Not In Demand | International Code Council (ICC) | ![]() |
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Residential Mechanical Inspector - M1 Is Not In Demand | International Code Council (ICC) | ![]() |
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Commercial Mechanical Inspector - M2 Is Not In Demand | International Code Council (ICC) | ![]() |
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Certified Engineering Technologist (CT) Is Not In Demand | National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) | ![]() |
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Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professionals (CMRP)
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Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals (SMRP) | ![]() |
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Journey Level Plumber Is Not In Demand | National Inspection Testing and Certification Corporation (NITC) | ![]() |
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LEED AP Operations + Maintenance (LEED AP O+M) Is Not In Demand | Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) | ![]() |
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Machine Maintenance Service and Repair Level II - Preventive Maintenance II Is Not In Demand | National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc (NIMS) | ![]() |
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Machine Maintenance Service and Repair Level III - Machine Service and Repair III Is Not In Demand | National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc (NIMS) | ![]() |
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Machine Maintenance Service and Repair Level III - Machine Repair/Rebuilding III Is Not In Demand | National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc (NIMS) | ![]() |
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Machine Building Level II - Machine Building / Mechanical Assembly II Is Not In Demand | National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc (NIMS) | ![]() |
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Machine Building Level III - Machine Building / Mechanical Assembly III Is Not In Demand | National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc (NIMS) | ![]() |
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Oil Monitoring Analyst - II (OMA-II) Is Not In Demand | Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) | ![]() |
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IAPMO - Plumbing Plans Examiner Is Not In Demand | International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) | ![]() |
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IAPMO - Mechanical Plans Examiner Is Not In Demand | International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) | ![]() |
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Certified Control Systems Technician - Level II (CCST-II) Is Not In Demand | International Society of Automation (ISA) | ![]() |
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Certified Control Systems Technician - Level III (CCST-III) Is Not In Demand | International Society of Automation (ISA) | ![]() |
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STAR HVACR Mastery Is Not In Demand | National Inspection Testing and Certification Corporation (NITC) | ![]() |
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STAR Plumbing Mastery Is Not In Demand | National Inspection Testing and Certification Corporation (NITC) | ![]() |
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Fluid Power System Designer Is Not In Demand | International Fluid Power Society (IFPS) | ![]() |
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Aerospace Manufacturing- CNC Is Not In Demand | SpaceTEC | ![]() |
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Building Energy Modeling Professional (BEMP) Is Not In Demand | American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) | ![]() |
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High-Performance Building Design Professional (HBDP) Is Not In Demand | American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) | ![]() |
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Operations and Performance Management Professional (OPMP) Is Not In Demand | American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) | ![]() |
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State of California Plumbing Inspector Is Not In Demand | International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) | ![]() |
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State of California Mechanical Inspector Is Not In Demand | International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) | ![]() |
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Certified Renewable Energy Professional (REP) Is Not In Demand | Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) | ![]() |
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Certified Green Building Engineer (GBE) Is Not In Demand | Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) | ![]() |
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Energy Efficiency Practitioner (EEP) Is Not In Demand | Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) | ![]() |
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Building Commissioning Professional Certification (BCxP) Is Not In Demand | American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) | ![]() |
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State Licenses
Some states have specific licensing requirements for the following related civilian occupations. These state licenses may require additional education, training or experience. Click on the occupation below to get more information on state requirements from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related Civilian Private Sector Occupations
The following civilian private sector occupations are similar to the duties performed by 0830 - Mechanical Engineering. These occupations may require additional education, training or experience. For more information about these occupations, click on the civilian occupation below.
Civilian Job | Duties Matched | Bright Outlook | Registered Apprenticeship | Local Salary Info | |
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Chemical Engineers |
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Chemists |
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Civil Engineers |
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Electrical Engineers |
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Electromechanical Engineering Technologists |
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Energy Engineers |
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First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers |
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Industrial Engineering Technologists |
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Industrial Engineers |
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Manufacturing Engineering Technologists |
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Manufacturing Engineers |
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Materials Engineers |
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Mechanical Engineering Technologists |
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Mechanical Engineers |
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Mechatronics Engineers |
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Microsystems Engineers |
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Physicists |
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Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters |
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Plumbers |
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Robotics Engineers |
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