Mechanical Engineers Continue to Work from Home

As federal agencies and private corporations increasingly require more office face time for their employees, many mechanical engineers continue to enjoy the perks of remote work. Seasoned professionals, in particular, have earned the right to work from home and proven their value in doing so since the flexible work trend took hold during the pandemic.

Yet, as the world gradually returns to traditional office settings, remote mechanical engineers face new challenges in maintaining visibility, staying productive, and effectively collaborating with colleagues who are now back in the physical office. Navigating this changing work environment requires a strategic approach for remote employees to remain relevant, efficient, and engaged. 

Remote and visible

Staying visible to leadership and colleagues is a major challenge that remote workers face as others return to the office. Without the advantage of casual hallway conversations or spontaneous meetings, remote mechanical engineers must be more deliberate in building their presence. 

“One of the best ways to stay on the radar is to faithfully record and report your achievements,” said Richard Friedman, founder and president of Friedman & Partners, a consulting company focused on the engineering and architecture industries. “Don’t wait to be asked. Provide concise, impactful reports that highlight key achievements and project milestones to every person in the organization who would benefit from knowing; it doesn’t just have to be the boss or the board.”

Freidman said that this allows a remote employee to showcase contributions without being physically present in the office. “It’s better to overcommunicate, so try a weekly update that includes what you completed in the current week, what you plan to complete in the next week and any other matters of importance to be addressed,” he added.

Similarly, Friedman recommended scheduling regular check-ins. “Request (and insist on, if necessary) one-on-one meetings with supervisors and team leads to deliver updates on your work, discuss challenges, and seek feedback. This keeps your progress in leadership’s sights,” he said.

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Another strategy that some remote workers are employing is to “buddy up” with an in-office counterpart who can provide informal updates on office discussions, ensuring that they stay connected with evolving team dynamics. 

Beneficial communication

Clarity of communication is equally important. This includes establishing clear expectations with your team, such as agreeing on response times or the best platforms for distinct types of communication (e.g., using Slack for quick questions, email for detailed updates).

A troubling tendency that can set remote workers back is fading into the background when Zooming into a live meeting. And it’s equally easy for the group to ignore you. Although it can be challenging to grab attention, remote participants need to remind the room that they are on the call.
 
“When you attend a virtual meeting, activate your camera and participate fully as if you were in the room,” Friedman suggested. “Prepare questions or insights to contribute meaningfully, ensuring that your voice is heard. If you can’t attend a meeting that you normally would have if you were in the office, ask to have it recorded or transcribed so you can stay up to date.”

It is also critical not to neglect your mentoring, collaboration, and leadership responsibilities. Staying engaged in the culture by aiding in the growth of less experienced professionals and serving on internal committees is a surefire way to be remembered and recognized as a member of the team.

Remote job efficiency

When working remotely, it is essential to maintain high standards to avoid the misconception that you are less productive than in-office employees. Over time, most remote workers develop systems and processes that keep them efficient and contributing to the firm’s success, but there’s always room for improvement.

Friedman is a big proponent of “time blocking” as a way to optimize productivity. “Rigidly allocate specific time slots for focused work and communication to minimize disruptions,” he said. “Relay these parameters to colleagues to manage their expectations of your availability and responsiveness. This structured routine balances productivity and availability, ensuring that important tasks receive the attention they deserve.”

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This is also a prime time to review your office arrangement. Creating a dedicated, comfortable, and ergonomically sound workspace minimizes distractions, enhances focus, and helps remote engineers maintain the discipline needed to achieve high productivity.

Seek opportunities

Technology plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between remote and in-office teams. For example, digital project management tools like Asana or Trello allow engineers to organize work by priority. This ensures that high-priority tasks are completed promptly, maintaining productivity and momentum on key projects. 

Thus, becoming familiar with and employing existing and emerging technologies is essential for success in a hybrid work environment. The right mix of collaboration and communication tools, design and simulation software, project management systems, cloud storage solutions, and virtual workstations can help reduce any disadvantages faced by a remote worker.

Digital tools such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom, and Webex allow for real-time communications. Programs like Autodesk Fusion 360 and SolidWorks PDM offer collaborative design and data management capabilities, aiding seamless integration with colleagues in the office. These platforms allow team members to work simultaneously on designs and access the most up-to-date versions of files, promoting efficiency, and reducing the risk of miscommunication.

Cloud-based platforms also enable teams to stay in sync despite the physical distance. By capitalizing on these digital resources, remote mechanical engineers can maintain productivity and contribute effectively to team goals.

Digital whiteboarding tools like Miro, Mural, and Conceptboard support brainstorming sessions and collaborative problem-solving, helping remote engineers contribute creatively even when not in the room. Additionally, remote desktop platforms such as VMware Horizon and Citrix Workspace provide secure access to high-performance workstations, empowering engineers to run demanding simulations or CAD software from any location.

Finally, implementing robust security measures, including VPNs and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), protects sensitive project data and ensures secure remote access to company networks. Have a cybersecurity conversation with your IT folks to minimize the likelihood of a breach that would reflect poorly on your remote status.

As remote work continues to evolve alongside the return-to-office settings, mechanical engineers must strategically adapt to remain productive, visible, and engaged. By maintaining frequent and clear communication, learning and using the right technological tools and continuously demonstrating value, remote workers can not only keep pace with their in-office counterparts, but they can also continue to thrive in this new hybrid work landscape.

Jerry Guerra is an independent writer in Lynnfield, Mass.