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More than gears: Innovative technologies for the world

All engineers solve problems. Mechanical engineers get to pick the most interesting problems, because we consider our field to be the most wide-ranging, versatile and flexible. By choosing mechanical engineering, you’ll be learning how natural elements in our world work, like heat and cold; fluids, solids and gases; metals, plastics and even human tissue—and how to control the stresses, motions and designs of those elements.

ME student Ethan Mohr in Kazyak lab

At a glance

Mechanical engineering department

Increase by 1400
undergraduate students
4th
largest program on campus
12
undergraduate ranking among public universities in mechanical engineering
8
graduate ranking among public universities in mechanical engineering
US Dollars 31MMillion
average annual research funding
View open positions for Mechanical Engineering
UW Crest with engineering background
October 15, 2026

New Mechanical Engineering Faculty: Heather Kim

Heather Kim will join the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science as an Assistant Professor in January 2027.

UW Crest with engineering background
October 13, 2026

Fall 2026 Faustin-Prinz Research Fellows

Six undergrad students are joining the Faustin-Prinz Undergraduate Research Program as fellows, conducting independent research alongside Department of Mechanical Engineering faculty.

UW Crest with engineering background
September 22, 2026

Jacob McFarland selected as AIAA Associate Fellow

Jacob A. McFarland has been selected as an AIAA Associate Fellow by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).

Olivia Dobson
“As a university leading in research and innovation, UW Madison offers ample opportunity for undergraduate students to dive right into the world of engineering research. With my time in the Laboratory of Energy Transport and Storage, I not only have gotten to apply what I have learned in my classes in a real-world setting, but I have also learned skills far beyond what is covered in typical coursework. From brazing to electrical wiring, and even obtaining HVAC certification, it seems as if every day I am gaining some wild new skill I can add to my engineering toolbelt!”
Olivia Dobson
EMA’25, LET+S Undergraduate Researcher, Mary Baker Scholarship Recipient
ME faculty collage Feb 26

Meet the faculty

Noted both for outstanding teaching and groundbreaking research, our distinguished faculty regularly earn awards from national and international organizations.