How a mechanical engineer can use AI, task by task

I work as a mechanical engineer. Part of my job is to research, design, evaluate, install, operate, or maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems or processes to meet requirements.

Context: We use The MathWorks MATLAB and Minitab; the work draws on design, engineering and technology and production and processing.
System: [servers, medical device, equipment]
Criteria: [safety, efficiency, security]

Make an evaluation plan and scoring table. Give sources I can check and say clearly when you're unsure.

I work as a mechanical engineer. Part of my job is to specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design, performance specifications, or environmental regulations.

Context: We use Microsoft Project and Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management; the work draws on design, engineering and technology and production and processing.
Improvement: [design, process, cost]
Constraints: [safety, environment, budget]

Plan implementation with steps and metrics. Lay it out as a table with steps, owner, timing and what could go wrong, then list the decisions I still need to make.

I work as a mechanical engineer. Part of my job is to confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.

Context: We use IBM Notes and Shell script.
Project: [building, landscape]
Partners: [architects, estimators]

Draft coordination points and questions. Keep it under 150 words with a clear ask, plus a 2-sentence version for chat.

I work as a mechanical engineer. Part of my job is to research and analyze customer design proposals, specifications, manuals, or other data to evaluate the feasibility, cost, or maintenance requirements of designs or applications.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and The MathWorks MATLAB; the work draws on design, engineering and technology and production and processing.
Project: [describe]
Data: [proposals, engineering data]

Analyze requirements and feasibility. Make a table: requirement, met / not met / unclear, and the exact evidence.

I work as a mechanical engineer. Part of my job is to recommend design modifications to eliminate machine or system malfunctions.

Context: We use Microsoft Visio; the work draws on design, engineering and technology and production and processing.
Process: [describe]
Data: [results]

Write a recommendation with evidence. Use plain language, one everyday analogy, and the questions people are most likely to ask with short answers.

I work as a mechanical engineer. Part of my job is to assist drafters in developing the structural design of products, using drafting tools or computer-assisted drafting equipment or software.

Context: We use Adobe Illustrator and Trimble SketchUp Pro; the work draws on design, engineering and technology and production and processing.
Facility: [describe]
Requirements: [use, budget]

Generate layout and design options. Give 10 quite different options from safe to bold, then develop the best 2.

I work as a mechanical engineer. Part of my job is to provide feedback to design engineers on customer problems or needs.

Context: We use Microsoft Visio; the work draws on design, engineering and technology and production and processing.
Process: [describe]
Data: [results]

Write a recommendation with evidence. Use plain language, one everyday analogy, and the questions people are most likely to ask with short answers.

I work as a mechanical engineer. Part of my job is to design integrated mechanical or alternative systems, such as mechanical cooling systems with natural ventilation systems, to improve energy efficiency.

Context: We use Adobe Illustrator and Trimble SketchUp Pro; the work draws on design, engineering and technology and production and processing.
Process: [food plant, chemical]
Requirements: [capacity, safety]

Generate layout and equipment options. Give 10 quite different options from safe to bold, then develop the best 2.

I work as a mechanical engineer. Part of my job is to investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and recommend remedial actions.

Context: We use The MathWorks MATLAB and Minitab; the work draws on design, engineering and technology and production and processing.
Failure or complaint: [what failed, how often, conditions]
Data: [test results, returns, logs]

List possible causes ranked by likelihood, tests to confirm each, and corrective actions. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

I work as a mechanical engineer. Part of my job is to provide technical customer service.

Context: The work draws on design, engineering and technology and production and processing.
Product or service: [describe]
Common questions: [list]

Write follow-up advice and tips. Keep answers to 2-3 sentences and flag any that depend on the situation.

I work as a mechanical engineer. Part of my job is to develop or test models of alternate designs or processing methods to assess feasibility, sustainability, operating condition effects, potential new applications, or necessity of modification.

Context: We use The MathWorks MATLAB and Minitab; the work draws on design, engineering and technology and production and processing.
Design or system: [describe]
Inputs and physics: [loads, flows, behaviours]

Propose a model, its assumptions and equations, and starter code or spreadsheet formulas, then a way to validate it.

I work as a mechanical engineer. Part of my job is to study industrial processes to maximize the efficiency of equipment applications, including equipment placement.

Context: We use The MathWorks MATLAB and Minitab; the work draws on design, engineering and technology and production and processing.
Process: [product or operation, current steps]
Goal: [efficiency, quality, safety]

Suggest what to measure, experiments or studies to run, likely bottlenecks, and relevant engineering principles or references.

I work as a mechanical engineer. Part of my job is to estimate costs or submit bids for engineering, construction, or extraction projects.

Context: We use The MathWorks MATLAB and Minitab; the work draws on design, engineering and technology and production and processing.
Operation: [describe]
Cost data: [paste]

Estimate costs, sensitivity and formulas. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

I work as a mechanical engineer. Part of my job is to calculate energy losses for buildings, using equipment such as computers, combustion analyzers, or pressure gauges.

Context: We use The MathWorks MATLAB and Minitab; the work draws on design, engineering and technology and production and processing.
Operation: [describe]
Cost data: [paste]

Estimate costs, sensitivity and formulas. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

I work as a mechanical engineer. Part of my job is to select or install combined heat units, power units, cogeneration equipment, or trigeneration equipment that reduces energy use or pollution.

Context: We use The MathWorks MATLAB and Minitab; the work draws on design, engineering and technology and production and processing.
Job: [survey, inspection, operation]
Requirements: [accuracy, cost, conditions]

Compare options in a table and recommend one. Give sources I can check and say clearly when you're unsure.

I work as a mechanical engineer. Part of my job is to apply engineering principles or practices to emerging fields, such as robotics, waste management, or biomedical engineering.

Context: We use The MathWorks MATLAB and Minitab; the work draws on design, engineering and technology and production and processing.
Technology: [what we have]
Fields: [where it might apply]

List possible applications, feasibility, and first tests. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

I work as a mechanical engineer. Part of my job is to evaluate mechanical designs or prototypes for energy performance or environmental impact.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and The MathWorks MATLAB; the work draws on design, engineering and technology and production and processing.
Plan or spec: [describe]
Concerns: [environmental, technical]

List implications and questions. Make a table: requirement, met / not met / unclear, and the exact evidence.

I work as a mechanical engineer. Part of my job is to recommend the use of utility or energy services that minimize carbon footprints.

Context: The work draws on design, engineering and technology and production and processing.
Topic: [water quality, pollution]
Audience: [agencies, communities]

Explain options and trade-offs. Use plain language, one everyday analogy, and the questions people are most likely to ask with short answers.

I work as a mechanical engineer. Part of my job is to design test control apparatus or equipment or develop procedures for testing products.

Context: We use Adobe Illustrator and Trimble SketchUp Pro; the work draws on design, engineering and technology and production and processing.
Device: [sensor, recorder, hardware]
Requirements: [accuracy, power, interfaces]

Generate architecture options with components to evaluate. Give 10 quite different options from safe to bold, then develop the best 2.

I work as a mechanical engineer. Part of my job is to solicit new business.

Context: The work draws on design, engineering and technology and production and processing.
Firm: [architecture, landscape]
Target clients: [describe]

Draft a proposal or presentation outline. Keep claims honest, list likely objections with responses, and role-play the other side so I can practice.