A junior mechanical engineer works with a team of other engineers and supervisors to help design, build, and test machines and equipment. These professionals often work in manufacturing firms and research institutions and specialize in a specific field, such as biotechnology, consumer electronics, or automobile manufacturing. As a junior mechanical engineer, your duties may include finalizing blueprints, acquiring materials, creating prototypes, and resolving mechanical problems. To become a junior mechanical engineer, you typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and formal training. Candidates usually enter the field as assistants to other junior mechanical engineers in order to gain work experience and learn elements of product design, development, and testing. You may also pursue voluntary certification to demonstrate your skills as a professional and improve your job prospects.