Mechanical engineers SOC 2122
Mechanical engineers (SOC 2122) qualifies for UK Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Your employer must pay at least the going rate of £46,800 per year. Scroll down for salary benchmarks, the visa rules, and live jobs from licensed sponsors.
What does a mechanical engineer do?
Professional mechanical engineers undertake research, design and development, direct the manufacture and manage the operation and maintenance of engines, machines, vehicle and ships’ structures, building services and other mechanical items.
Typical tasks
- undertakes research and advises on energy use, materials handling, thermodynamic processes, fluid mechanics, vehicles and environmental controls
- determines materials, equipment, piping, capacities, layout of plant or system and specification for manufacture
- designs and develops mechanical equipment, such as steam, internal combustion and other non-electrical motors for railway locomotives, road vehicles and other machinery
- ensures that equipment, operation and maintenance comply with design specifications and safety standards
- organises and establishes control systems to monitor operational efficiency and performance of materials and systems
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Professional mechanical engineers usually possess an accredited university degree. After qualifying, periods of appropriate training and experience are required before membership of a chartered engineering institution is attainable. Incorporated engineers possess an accredited university degree, BTEC/SQA award or an apprenticeship leading to an NVQ/SVQ at level 4, followed by periods of training and relevant experience.
Visa sponsorship requirements
UK market salary · ASHE 2025
What mechanical engineers earn in the UK
UK market basic pay at a glance
How visa salary requirements compare to what employers pay.
Most mechanical engineers in the UK earn between £38,896 and £59,800 in basic pay. For Skilled Worker visa holders, the minimum salary (going rate) for this role is £46,800 (SOC 2122), sitting at the 46th percentile of what UK employers pay and £1,716 below the median.
All figures are before tax. Calculate your take-home pay.
How to get sponsored as a mechanical engineer
- 1
Find a licensed sponsor on Hunt UK Visa Sponsors
Browse our register of UK companies with an active sponsor licence. Filter by industry, size, sponsor rating, and whether they're currently hiring mechanical engineers, so you only apply where a visa is actually on the table.
Browse licensed sponsors - 2
Confirm the salary meets the £46,800 going rate
Your employer must pay whichever is higher: the going rate for SOC 2122 (£46,800) or the general Skilled Worker threshold of £41,700 per year.
New entrants and ISL roles may qualify for a lower rate. See the New entrant & discount rates section below.
- 3
Receive a Certificate of Sponsorship
Your sponsor issues a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), a reference number the Home Office uses to check the job offer, salary, and duties line up with an eligible SOC code.
- 4
Apply for a Skilled Worker visa at gov.uk
Submit the Skilled Worker visa application online within 3 months of your CoS assignment date. You'll also book a biometric appointment and pay the immigration health surcharge.
Apply on gov.uk - 5
Move to the UK and start work
Travel to the UK before your CoS start date and begin working for the sponsor named on the certificate.
New entrant & discount rates
If you're under 26, switching from a Student visa, or a recent UK graduate, your employer can pay the new entrant rate of £38,400 (70% of the going rate) for up to four years.
Roles under SOC 2122
Recent jobs under SOC 2122
RED are an expanding international M&E consultancy, with a proven track record in low energy design, focused on providing excellent design solutions to clients. Through our market leading technical expertise, we enable the world’s digital infrastructure and develop the built environment whilst also helping clients realise ambitious plans for zero carbon-built environments. We cover the entire life cycle of any building project, with our broad capability offering saving our clients time, mone
Senior Design Engineer (Temporary Works/Structures) Do you enjoy solving complex structural engineering challenges and developing innovative solutions that enable safe, efficient construction? Are you experienced in delivering robust, well-considered designs and proficient in structural analysis and design software? We are seeking an experienced Senior Design Engineer to join our Europe Hub Temporary Works Design team. The role offers the opportunity to deliver high-quality engineering solutions
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Related occupations
Other Skilled Worker-eligible roles in the same SOC minor group (212xx):
Frequently asked questions
Can mechanical engineers get a UK Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. Mechanical engineers roles fall under SOC 2122 (Higher Skilled), so they qualify for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Your employer will need a sponsor licence and must pay at least the going rate for this occupation.
What salary do mechanical engineers need for visa sponsorship?
The going rate for Mechanical engineers (SOC 2122) is £46,800 (£24.00 per hour). Occupation rate applies. Your employer must pay whichever is higher: this going rate or the general Skilled Worker threshold of £41,700 per year.
What job titles are covered by SOC 2122?
SOC 2122 covers a range of mechanical engineers roles, including: Automotive engineers (professional), Marine engineers and naval architects, Mechanical design engineers, Mechanical engineers not elsewhere classified.. Keep in mind that the Home Office matches jobs by duties rather than title alone. Two roles with the same title can fall under different SOC codes depending on the actual work involved.
Is there a lower salary for new graduates entering mechanical engineers roles?
Yes. If you're under 26, a recent graduate, or switching from a Student visa, you count as a "new entrant" and your employer only needs to pay 70% of the going rate (with an absolute floor of £33,400/year — the new-entrant minimum cannot go below that). For Mechanical engineers, that works out to £38,400. The discount lasts up to four years.
Where can I find mechanical engineers jobs with UK visa sponsorship?
We list Mechanical engineers roles from companies with a Home Office sponsor licence. Scroll down to see what's currently open, or search our full jobs database for more visa-sponsored positions across the UK.
This information is provided as guidance only and should not be treated as legal advice. Eligibility criteria and salary thresholds are based on the latest published government data. Always verify with the official UK government guidance or seek professional immigration advice.