2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Developing the student outcomes for the mechanical engineering course curriculum redesign: a survey with industry for mapping the competencies wanted for the next generation of engineers

Presented at Mechanical Engineering (MECH) Session 12: Curriculum Development and Program Innovation

The mechanical engineering course in Mauá Institute of Technology (IMT), a non-profit private institution of Brazil, is redesigning the curriculum not only to update it due to the appearance of emerging technologies and tools for engineering design, analysis and manufacturing, but to graduate engineers able to address the grand challenges that humanity, industry and companies around the globe require. To fulfill this purpose, the first step of the redesigning process is to define the new student outcomes and the competencies, abilities and knowledge that the graduated engineers must have. Beyond the experience of the faculty members, it is imperious to know what companies are expecting for the future engineers they will hire. To map what they expect, a survey was conducted with 38 industries in Brazil – some with international operations – targeting directors, managers or other staff in leadership positions. This study aims to present the survey methodology, the key findings, and how these insights informed the development of the new student outcomes. In the questionnaire sent to these employers, they answered questions in three categories: technical skills, soft-skills, values and attitudes with each question in three different levels. Each level is related to the stage of the future engineer inside the company: intern, engineer to solve problems in short term, engineer to solve problems in long term. The goal of asking the questions at these three levels is to assess and understand if the companies that will employ the future graduates of the course, are already thinking in long-term problems and what kind of professional they must hire for this, or if they are only focused on solving short-term problems. The survey revealed that industries value both technical and interpersonal competencies and skills in mechanical engineers. Core technical areas mapped as most relevant include automation and control systems, thermal and fluid systems, manufacturing processes, CAD/CAM/CAE tools, and project management. Emerging skills such as data analysis, artificial intelligence, life cycle assessment (LCA), and product development using Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and agile frameworks were also emphasized. Communication, teamwork, creativity, and the ability to connect theory with practice were emphasized as essential attributes. Additionally, knowledge of electrification systems, materials, safety regulations, and sustainability (ESG) were cited as increasingly important. The findings indicate that next-generation mechanical engineers must combine solid technical foundations with business awareness, critical thinking, and proactive engagement in continuous learning to meet future industry demands.

Authors

Dr. João de Sá Brasil Lima Mauá Institute of Technology [biography]

Bachelor's at Mechanical Engineering (2011), PhD in Mechanical Engineering (2017) and Post-Doctoral (2019) at Polytechnic School of São Paulo University, in the Energy and Fluids field. Associate Professor of Mauá Institute of Technology (CEUN-IMT) and Coordinator of the Mechanical Engineering Course. Researcher in the Renewable Energies, Enviroment and Sustainability reseach group. Coordinator of the Renewable Energies Specialization. Has interest in fluid dynamics, optimization, CFD, bioengineering and engineering education. Valuer of engineering courses for Quero Educação/Estadão. Author of questions and reviewer for ENADE - INEP/MEC. Author of didatic books dedicated to students of elementary and high schools and college.
Dr. Vanessa Seriacopi Centro Universitário do Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia [biography]

Dr. Seriacopi holds a degree in Mechatronics Engineering (2010) and earned her M.Sc. (2013), Ph.D. (2017), and postdoctoral training (2024) in Mechanical Engineering at the University of São Paulo. She is currently an Associate Professor at the Maua Institute of Technology. Her academic and research experience focuses on tribology, materials engineering, and advanced manufacturing, integrating experimental characterization, computational modeling, and mechanical design applied to engineering materials and industrial systems. Her research interests include multiphysics modeling in tribology, stress and damage analysis in heterogeneous materials, and the microstructural and mechanical characterization of metallic alloys. Dr. Seriacopi combines experimental techniques, microscopy, surface analysis, and numerical simulations to investigate material degradation and mechanical performance. She teaches undergraduate courses in Mechanical Engineering, particularly in materials science, manufacturing processes, mechanics, tribology, and engineering analysis, and is also involved in graduate supervision and collaborative research initiatives
Bruno Galelli Chieregatti [biography]

Mechanical Engineer who holds both a Ph.D. and a Postdoctoral degree from the University of São Paulo. His expertise lies in the fields of Transport Phenomena, Fluid Mechanics, and Energy Systems. His professional career includes experience in engineering projects and technological development, as well as active involvement in research areas such as Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and the application of Artificial Intelligence in engineering systems.He also has extensive experience in higher education, teaching courses such as Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, and Energy Systems. In parallel with his academic activities, he is recognized for producing educational content, including authoring books and developing video lessons in Mathematics, Physics, and Logical Reasoning, contributing to the education and training of students at various educational levels.
Marcelo Otávio dos Santos http://orcid.org/https://0000-0002-2357-6593 [biography]

Mechanical Engineer, Researcher, and Professor with over 25 years of experience in mechanical design, manufacturing processes, and applied research, integrating industrial expertise with academic innovation in advanced manufacturing technologies. Currently serves as Professor and Researcher at Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia (IMT). Holds an M.Sc. (2012) and Ph.D. (2018) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of São Paulo (USP), and recently completed two postdoctoral research programs at the same institution. Research interests include Computational Simulation (FEA/CFD), Additive Manufacturing, and Artificial Intelligence applied to engineering. Previously worked for more than a decade at B. Grob do Brasil S.A., developing manufacturing systems and machining solutions for the automotive industry. Author of peer-reviewed publications in international journals and conferences, with contributions to advanced manufacturing, smart manufacturing, and engineering education.
Ed Claudio Bordinassi http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3915-3077 [biography]

Éd Claudio Bordinassi is a Full Professor at the Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia, with extensive experience in mechanical engineering, manufacturing processes, and advanced manufacturing technologies. He holds a degree in Mechanical Technology with emphasis on Design from the Faculdade de Tecnologia de São Paulo, as well as a Master’s and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the Universidade de São Paulo. He also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in hybrid manufacturing, focusing on the integration of metal additive manufacturing and machining. He is currently pursuing further specialization in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.
With over two decades of academic experience, he is actively involved in teaching, research, and academic management. He leads a research group in manufacturing processes and design. His institutional contributions include participation in academic committees, development of laboratory infrastructure, and supervision of student teams in energy efficiency competitions since 2005, with a strong emphasis on applied engineering and technological innovation.
His research focuses on machining process monitoring, the application of IoT and machine learning in manufacturing, surface integrity of materials, thermal errors in CNC machines, and metal additive manufacturing. He is involved in funded research projects and collaborations aimed at advancing manufacturing technologies, improving process performance, and developing innovative industrial solutions.
In addition to his academic career, he has professional experience in mechanical design and product development, strengthening his connection with industrial applications. He also serves as a reviewer for international scientific journals and has published in recognized journals in the field of manufacturing engineering.
His work integrates teaching, research, and extension activities, with a focus on training engineers capable of addressing challenges related to innovation, sustainability, and energy efficiency, contributing to the advancement of applied engineering.

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