Mechanical engineers in oil and gas are responsible for many different aspects of the oil mining and refinement process, including designing and installing equipment, designing and overseeing large projects, and researching and developing new technologies in the field.like pipeline design and construction, so it's important that job candidates understand and are well-trained in both the basics of the engineering trade like thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and kinematics, and fundamental leadership and management principles. Understanding the big-picture science of oil helps engineers take on bigger roles in project management and further their careers, but it's also important for them to clearly communicate with their teams.