Potential Careers

Choosing the SFU mechatronic systems engineering program allows you to explore your passion for technology while preparing for an exciting career path.

Research shows that two years after graduation, SFU engineering graduates earn over 25 per cent more/year than the average B.C. university graduate (Source: BC Stats). But choosing your career also involves understanding the types of problems you want to solve, where your strengths lie and the types of work environments you enjoy.

All SFU mechatronics graduates develop a set of core skills in these areas:

  • Mechatronics engineering
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Electrical engineering
  • Mathematics
  • Computer programming
  • Teamwork, business and project management

In addition, senior-level SFU courses help you gain skills that apply to certain career paths. Below are some industry careers and the SFU courses that can help prepare you for these pathways.

Biomedical engineers

Biomedical engineers apply engineering principles and design concepts to medicine and biology for healthcare purposes, such as developing new assistive devices, diagnostic tools or medical instruments. These engineers close the gap between engineering and medicine by combining the design and problem-solving skills of engineering with medical and biological sciences to advance healthcare treatment, including diagnosis, monitoring, and therapy.

Sample SFU courses:  

  • MSE 420 - Introduction to Biomechanical Engineering
  • MSE 424 - Microfluidics

Mechanical engineers:

Mechanical engineers research, design and develop machinery and systems for heating, ventilating and air conditioning, power generation, transportation, processing and manufacturing. They often work for consulting firms or are self-employed. Mechanical engineers work closely with civil, electrical, aerospace, chemical, industrial and other engineers, and mobility is possible between some fields of specialization in these disciplines.
See more at Work BC.

Sample SFU courses:  

  • MSE 222 - Kinematics and Dynamics of Rigid Bodies and Mechanisms
  • MSE 425  - Nano Manufacturing for Nano-scale Devices

Aerospace engineers

Aerospace engineers design and develop aerospace vehicles and components such as aircraft, spacecraft, satellites and space-based communication systems. They develop and carry out computer simulations using advanced mathematical modelling, prepare specifications for materials and processes to be used in manufacturing and maintenance, and coordinate ground and flight tests of air and spacecraft.

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Sample SFU courses:  

  • MSE 381 - Feedback Control Systems
  • MSE 421 - Advanced Vibration
  • MSE 410 - Capstone Design Technical Project – Students who are captains of SFUs Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Team have typically used that competition as their Capstone project.

Electrical and electronics engineers

Electrical and electronics engineers perform electrical design for residential, commercial or industrial installations, electrical power and communications systems, and instrumentation and control systems. They also apply engineering science to make consumer electronics and a wide range of other items, such as medical equipment, video and space technology, environmental monitoring systems, robotics, etc.  Utility companies – electric, gas, telephone – are employers that will likely experience an increased need for these types of engineers.
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Sample SFU courses:  

  • MSE 451 - Advanced Electronic Circuits
  • MSE 481 - Industrial Control Systems

Robotics specialists

A robotics specialist is a behind-the-scenes designer, who is responsible for creating robots and robotic systems that are able to perform duties that humans are either unable or prefer not to complete. Through their creations, a robotics engineer helps to make jobs safer, easier, and more efficient, particularly in the manufacturing industry.

Sample SFU courses:  

  • MSE 280 - Linear Systems
  • MSE 310 - Introduction to Electro-Mechanical Sensors and Actuators

Computer engineers

Computer engineers research, design and build computer and telecommunications hardware and related equipment, such as computer processors. Computer engineers may specialize in a number of areas, including analog and digital signal processing, fibre optics, integrated circuits, lasers, microprocessors, microwaves and radio astronomy. Many computer engineers are required to work with software and electrical systems, although the focus of these engineers is related to computer and telecommunications hardware or to network system and data communication.
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Sample SFU courses:  

  • MSE 351 - Microprocessors and Interfacings
  • MSE 451 - Advanced Electronic Circuits

Industrial and manufacturing engineers  


Industrial engineers develop and put into use organizational and management systems, while manufacturing engineers design production processes. These engineers study new machinery and facilities, and recommend or select efficient combinations, develop flexible or combined manufacturing systems and procedures, carry out studies and put into use programs to determine the best inventory levels for production, and the best use of machinery, materials and resources.

Sample SFU courses:  

  • MSE 380 - Systems Modeling and Simulation
  • MSE 425 - Nano Manufacturing for Nano-scale Devices
  • MSE 480 - Manufacturing Systems

Process control and automation specialists

Process control and automation specialists gather requirements, design, configure, integrate and implement controls for the manufacturing industry.  These careers require knowledge of field instrumentation, and technology and batch process manufacturing expertise in all project phases: requirements documentation, detailed design generation, implementation, system integration, testing and on-site startup. 

Sample SFU courses:  

  • MSE 381 - Feedback Control Systems
  • MSE 450 - Real-Time and Embedded Control Systems
  • MSE 481 - Industrial Control Systems