September 2026, released 23 October 2026
Mechanical engineer jobs in the UK
ONS category: Mechanical engineers (SOC 2122). All experience levels together, not a graduate only count.
This page covers ONS's mechanical engineers category across all experience levels. It is useful context for a graduate engineering search, but does not isolate graduate programmes or apprenticeships.
What was counted, exactly
New online job adverts posted during September 2026, collected by Textkernel and published by ONS in Labour Demand Volumes by Standard Occupation Classification (SOC 2020), UK, edition January 2017 to September 2026, released 23 October 2026. The unedited occupation label is Mechanical engineers, Standard Occupation Classification 2020 code 2122. Regions are the twelve ITL1 statistical regions of the UK. Careery presents the recorded values without changing them.
UK adverts in September 2026
4,842
New online job adverts for mechanical engineers, not unique vacancies.
Reading the figures
The South East records 1,592 adverts, ahead of London's 697. September's UK count of 4,842 exceeds August's 3,036 in this edition. This is a recorded rise in adverts, not proof of additional unique vacancies or easier entry into engineering.
Every UK region
Recorded adverts for the same occupation and edition. A smaller total does not imply less competition: this dataset contains no applicant counts.
| Region | Adverts |
|---|---|
| South East | 1,592 |
| London | 697 |
| North West | 447 |
| East of England | 436 |
| South West | 387 |
| West Midlands | 339 |
| East Midlands | 297 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 184 |
| Scotland | 156 |
| North East | 112 |
| Wales | 96 |
| Northern Ireland | 80 |
UK trend: recorded monthly observations
The trend runs from Oct 2025 to Sep 2026. Twelve consecutive months with March 2026 suppressed as [x] for all thirteen occupations. July 2026 is present. This is not an unbroken run of twelve values. Suppression is not zero and no missing value has been added or estimated.
| Recorded month | Adverts |
|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 2,609 |
| Nov 2025 | 2,604 |
| Dec 2025 | 1,383 |
| Jan 2026 | 2,499 |
| Feb 2026 | 2,013 |
| Mar 2026 | [x] |
| Apr 2026 | 1,933 |
| May 2026 | 2,540 |
| Jun 2026 | 3,839 |
| Jul 2026 | 4,481 |
| Aug 2026 | 3,036 |
| Sep 2026 | 4,842 |
What this does not tell you
- Adverts are not vacancies. An advert may represent several roles or none, and a role may be advertised more than once. The ONS Vacancy Survey is a different series. Read the distinction.
- These are not current openings. Adverts posted during September 2026 were counted and published afterwards. Nothing here tells you what is open today.
- No graduate or senior split. Mechanical engineers includes experience levels together. There is no salary, applicant count, employer breakdown or hiring outcome in this data.
- UK only. These figures do not describe Riyadh, Dubai or any market outside the United Kingdom.
- Suppression is not zero. [x] is reproduced where ONS withholds or does not publish a value. March 2026 is suppressed for this occupation, not filled in.
- Official statistics in development. ONS is still refining the methodology. ONS collected and published the data and does not endorse Careery.
Cite this page
You may reuse these figures under the Open Government Licence v3.0 with attribution. A link to this page is appreciated, not required.
Source: ONS, Labour Demand Volumes by Standard Occupation Classification (SOC 2020), UK. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Mechanical engineers, SOC 2122. Figures for September 2026, edition January 2017 to September 2026, released 23 October 2026. Compiled by Careery, https://thecareery.com/uk-job-adverts/mechanical-engineer-jobs-uk
Check the figures in Table 3 of the original ONS workbook. Download the regional CSV and monthly trend CSV, rebuilt from the raw workbook by the checkable extractor. Select SOC 2122 for this occupation. Suppression markers remain [x] in the tables and CSVs.
Preparing an application
If you are preparing an application, check how clearly your CV presents your experience. A CV check does not measure competition or identify open vacancies.
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