Mechanical Engineers Find Purpose in Public Service
Mechanical Engineers Find Purpose in Public Service
From infrastructure and energy to safety and policy, mechanical engineers play vital roles in government service at every level.
Engineers are trained to have an intuitive understanding of—and appreciation for—complex systems.
This makes them “incredibly effective policy makers and public servants,” said Gabriel D. Taylor, P.E., a senior engineer working in decarbonization and load flexibility at the California Energy Commission. “In addition to the obvious technical understanding [they] bring to public projects, engineers also tend to approach projects in a logical way that is highly compatible with the laws and regulations that authorize public agencies to act.”
Of the more than 280,000 mechanical engineers employed in the United States, about 14,000 work in government positions at the federal, state, and local levels.
Taylor pointed out that from water and energy supply to transportation planning to environmental management, few public policy projects exist without the perspective of an experienced engineer.
“Some of the most effective elected public officials I have worked with in my career were engineers by training,” he said. Part of the reason may be tied to an engineer’s sense of obligation to be part of the solution. Taylor added, especially for those engineers aware that “small inefficiencies within a large system can have disproportionately large impacts on system success.”
That’s why some MEs may be more drawn to setting the standard that affects an entire industry rather than improving one company’s product. That’s the case, for example, when developing safety standards among other duties for regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the National Transportation Safety Board.
The same can be said of the work that includes helping to set technical standards, managing grids, and overseeing critical systems for public utilities, environmental agencies, and energy commissions.
Meanwhile, some MEs considering a career in government service prefer to set their sights closer to home.
Paul Bradbury, P.E., shares that it has been “an honor and a pleasure” to serve at the local level, where he has been directly involved in gathering input from citizens on airport updates such as reducing aviation noise.
“There’s a term, ‘All politics are local,’ and I get to see that firsthand,” said Bradbury, director of the Portland International Jetport in Portland, Maine. “There’s a big sense of satisfaction that comes when you finally get all the elements together and a project comes to fruition.”
Fortunately, opportunities to pursue public service abound for engineers, who can use their strong work ethic and attention to detail to help solve challenges at every level of government.
“A big part of what we do is problem-solving, and that is also a big part of public policy,” Bradbury said. “You’re getting input from many more areas, because it’s not just limited to the laws of physics; it’s also the goals and needs of a populace.”
According to Taylor, water, land, and physical asset agencies are large employers for direct design and maintenance jobs. Regulatory proceedings for building and energy efficiency, water quality, air emissions, and other technical topics require specialized engineering expertise. And both elected officials and policy agencies hire engineers to develop and implement new laws.
Mechanical engineers don’t get into public service for the money, given that base pay typically is less than the private sector. But public service jobs historically have made up for wage gaps with generous medical benefits and pension plans, although Taylor mentioned that in some jurisdictions, those perks have been dwindling over the past several decades.
That said, federal, state, and local agencies do often offer loan forgiveness programs, job stability, and generous work-life balance opportunities. Such opportunities vary drastically in the private sector, depending on leadership and company culture.
Another advantage to working in the government sector that has nothing to do with a paycheck?
“It’s hugely rewarding, and you never know what problem or issue you’re going to be confronting—on a potentially hourly basis,” Bradbury said. “What comes up out of the blue keeps things really interesting.”
That’s what also keeps our lives easier, more convenient, and safer.
Because whether working directly for the government or a private corporation, one thing remains the same: “Engineers have an ethical duty to protect the public,” Bradbury said. “Everything they do is for the public in one way or another.”
Robin L. Flanigan is an independent writer in Rochester, N.Y.
This makes them “incredibly effective policy makers and public servants,” said Gabriel D. Taylor, P.E., a senior engineer working in decarbonization and load flexibility at the California Energy Commission. “In addition to the obvious technical understanding [they] bring to public projects, engineers also tend to approach projects in a logical way that is highly compatible with the laws and regulations that authorize public agencies to act.”
Government needs engineers
Of the more than 280,000 mechanical engineers employed in the United States, about 14,000 work in government positions at the federal, state, and local levels.
Taylor pointed out that from water and energy supply to transportation planning to environmental management, few public policy projects exist without the perspective of an experienced engineer.
“Some of the most effective elected public officials I have worked with in my career were engineers by training,” he said. Part of the reason may be tied to an engineer’s sense of obligation to be part of the solution. Taylor added, especially for those engineers aware that “small inefficiencies within a large system can have disproportionately large impacts on system success.”
That’s why some MEs may be more drawn to setting the standard that affects an entire industry rather than improving one company’s product. That’s the case, for example, when developing safety standards among other duties for regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the National Transportation Safety Board.
The same can be said of the work that includes helping to set technical standards, managing grids, and overseeing critical systems for public utilities, environmental agencies, and energy commissions.
Public service
Meanwhile, some MEs considering a career in government service prefer to set their sights closer to home.
Paul Bradbury, P.E., shares that it has been “an honor and a pleasure” to serve at the local level, where he has been directly involved in gathering input from citizens on airport updates such as reducing aviation noise.
“There’s a term, ‘All politics are local,’ and I get to see that firsthand,” said Bradbury, director of the Portland International Jetport in Portland, Maine. “There’s a big sense of satisfaction that comes when you finally get all the elements together and a project comes to fruition.”
Fortunately, opportunities to pursue public service abound for engineers, who can use their strong work ethic and attention to detail to help solve challenges at every level of government.
“A big part of what we do is problem-solving, and that is also a big part of public policy,” Bradbury said. “You’re getting input from many more areas, because it’s not just limited to the laws of physics; it’s also the goals and needs of a populace.”
According to Taylor, water, land, and physical asset agencies are large employers for direct design and maintenance jobs. Regulatory proceedings for building and energy efficiency, water quality, air emissions, and other technical topics require specialized engineering expertise. And both elected officials and policy agencies hire engineers to develop and implement new laws.
Reward beyond the paycheck
Mechanical engineers don’t get into public service for the money, given that base pay typically is less than the private sector. But public service jobs historically have made up for wage gaps with generous medical benefits and pension plans, although Taylor mentioned that in some jurisdictions, those perks have been dwindling over the past several decades.
Public Policy Engineers Meet a Critical Need for a Complex Future
Engineering expertise is vital in the arena of public policy as local, state, and federal governments tackle challenges in energy, infrastructure, innovation, and public welfare.
Another advantage to working in the government sector that has nothing to do with a paycheck?
“It’s hugely rewarding, and you never know what problem or issue you’re going to be confronting—on a potentially hourly basis,” Bradbury said. “What comes up out of the blue keeps things really interesting.”
That’s what also keeps our lives easier, more convenient, and safer.
Because whether working directly for the government or a private corporation, one thing remains the same: “Engineers have an ethical duty to protect the public,” Bradbury said. “Everything they do is for the public in one way or another.”
Robin L. Flanigan is an independent writer in Rochester, N.Y.
Learning is a lifelong journey. Explore our growing collection of free learning resources and articles.