Career Discovery Tool
Your email has not been verified. Verify email now ›

Mechanical Engineering Technician

Overview and Key Facts

mechanical eng tech
Education
Education
Associate's degree
Median Pay
Median Pay
$68,730
Job Growth
Job Growth
0.00%
(Below US Average)
Jobs in 2034
Jobs in 2034
38,300

What Do They Do?

A mechanical engineering technician could...

 
crash test
Set up equipment and instruments for an automobile crash test.
wind up toy
Create manufacturing instructions for mass production of a wind-up toy.
parts
Use a computer to prepare drawings or layouts of a mold that will be used to form a new part.
assembly line being checked
Test and supervise modifications to a manufacturing process so that a product can be made better.
 
crash test wind up toy parts assembly line being checked

Overview Listen to this section

You use mechanical devices every day—to zip and snap your clothing, open doors, refrigerate and cook your food, get clean water, heat your home, play music, surf the Internet, travel around, and even to brush your teeth. Virtually every object that you see around has been mechanically engineered or designed at some point, requiring the skills of mechanical engineering technicians to create drawings of the product, or to build and test models of the product to find the best design.
Watch this video to see what wide range of tasks mechanical engineering technicians do as part of their job.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt-HAx0qxaQ

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Mechanical Engineering Technician?


  1. Active Listening: ?
  2. Reading Comprehension: ?
  3. Critical Thinking: ?
  4. Complex Problem Solving: ?
  5. Speaking: ?
More skills...

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Mechanical Engineering Technician might do:
  • Assemble or disassemble complex mechanical systems.
  • Interpret engineering sketches, specifications, or drawings.
  • Calculate required capacities for equipment of proposed system to obtain specified performance and submit data to engineering personnel for approval.
  • Review project instructions and blueprints to ascertain test specifications, procedures, and objectives, and test nature of technical problems such as redesign.
  • Provide technical support to other employees regarding mechanical design, fabrication, testing, or documentation.
  • Test machines, components, materials, or products to determine characteristics such as performance, strength, or response to stress.
  • Draft detail drawing or sketch for drafting room completion or to request parts fabrication by machine, sheet or wood shops.
  • Analyze test results in relation to design or rated specifications and test objectives, and modify or adjust equipment to meet specifications.
  • Record test procedures and results, numerical and graphical data, and recommendations for changes in product or test methods.
  • Prepare specifications, designs, or sketches for machines, components, or systems related to the generation, transmission, or use of mechanical or fluid energy.
  • Read dials and meters to determine amperage, voltage, electrical output and input at specific operating temperature to analyze parts performance.
  • Design molds, tools, dies, jigs, or fixtures for use in manufacturing processes.
  • Review project instructions and specifications to identify, modify and plan requirements fabrication, assembly and testing.
  • Design specialized or customized equipment, machines, or structures.
  • Conduct failure analyses, document results, and recommend corrective actions.
  • Set up and conduct tests of complete units and components under operational conditions to investigate proposals for improving equipment performance.
  • Assist engineers to design, develop, test, or manufacture industrial machinery, consumer products, or other equipment.
  • Prepare layouts of machinery, tools, plants, or equipment.
  • Prepare equipment inspection schedules, reliability schedules, work plans, or other records.
  • Analyze or estimate production costs, such as labor, equipment, and plant space.
  • Devise, fabricate, or assemble new or modified mechanical components for products such as industrial machinery or equipment, and measuring instruments.
  • Discuss changes in design, method of manufacture and assembly, or drafting techniques and procedures with staff and coordinate corrections.
  • Monitor, inspect, or test mechanical equipment.

Salary & Job Openings

Median Salary (Yearly Pay)

Tap or scroll over map to see median salaries for each state
No data available for some states (white on the map)

Future Jobs

Blast-Off:

How Will Mechanical Engineering Technician Jobs Grow by 2034?
Projected % Growth
Rapid growth
(10% or higher)
Much faster than average
(7% - 10%)
Faster than average
(5% - 7%)
About as fast as average
(3% - 5%)
Slower than average
(0% - 3%)
Decreasing
Average of all U.S. jobs (5.3%)
Mechanical Engineering Technician jobs (0.00%)
Source: https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm

Steps to Get There: Becoming a Mechanical Engineering Technician

High School Subjects to Study

Aim to study the yellow-shaded subjects.
Math
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Statistics
Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Environmental Science
Physiology
Bio-Medical / Biotech
IT &
Engineering
Computer Science
Applied Technology
Drafting & CAD Training
Core
English
Foreign Language
Business
Psychology / Sociology

Education- Typical Degree Needed After High School Listen to this section

Degree
Post
high school credential
AA
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctoral or Professional Degree

Typical degree for an entry-level position: Associate's degree ? Types of Degrees and Credentials

You can become a mechanical engineering technician in several ways. Some technicians receive their training from a vocational high school. Others attend a community college or technical institute. Most employers prefer to hire graduates of two-year programs in mechanical engineering technology. In some jobs in this field, such as tool design, there are formal apprenticeship programs that combine classroom instruction with on-the-job training. Apprenticeship programs generally take from two to four years to complete. Nearly all workers in the field of mechanical engineering technology need some on-the-job training to prepare them to meet the specific needs of their employers.

Companies That Hire Mechanical Engineering Technicians

Try it Out with an Activity or Project

STEM Activities

STEM activities are fun hands-on explorations that usually take from 10 minutes to one hour and use readily available household or classroom materials while introducing you to STEM concepts common in this career.

Science Project Ideas

Project Ideas are in-depth STEM explorations that have a strong focus on controlling variables, taking accurate measurements, and analyzing data suitable for investigating the scientific method or the engineering design process.

On the Job

Nature of the Work

Mechanical engineering technicians assist mechanical engineers, and sometimes scientists, in all phases of the design, development, production, testing, operation, and maintenance of mechanical equipment, tools, and industrial machinery. Mechanical engineering technology is a broad field. Technicians work on products that range from automobile engines, air conditioners, and power saws, to nuclear reactors, elevators, and printing presses. They also work on the machines and tools needed to make such products. Sometimes they are concerned with tiny parts for delicate instruments. At other times they deal with huge gears for machines such as bulldozers.

Mechanical engineering technicians have a wide variety of titles. Sometimes they are just called mechanical technicians. If they specialize, they may be called automotive technicians or diesel technicians, depending on their field. Others are known as tool designers, mechanical drafters, or production technicians, depending on the job they do within their field. Mechanical engineering technicians work in plants and factories in all sections of the country. Most work for private companies that make tools and machinery. Others work for government agencies or consulting firms.

Many mechanical engineering technicians work in design and development. They usually work closely with the mechanical engineers who create or improve products ranging from mechanical pencils to complex spaceships. Many of these technicians spend much of their time at drawing boards. They prepare drawings, or layouts, of the product being developed—for example, an engine for an automobile. They have to make detailed drawings of each screw, nut, bolt, and gear to be used in the engine. They estimate how much it will cost to make the engine and how well it will work. They take into account the friction, stress, strain, and vibration that the various parts of the engine will have to endure. Mechanical engineering technicians often use complex instruments, testing equipment, and gauges in their work. They test models of the engine, write up reports, and suggest better ways to make the engine.

Other mechanical engineering technicians work in production. They help to make layouts of each step to be taken and each part to be made in the production of, for example, the automobile engine. Specialists in tool design make drawings of the tools, jigs, dies, and other devices needed to mass-produce each part for the engine. They often improve the design of existing tools. Other mechanical engineering technicians make estimates of the cost of labor and the best use of plant space. They help with any production problems that may arise. Sometimes they test machinery or the parts being made for the engine. They do studies of the manufacturing process to find out whether it could be done in a better or cheaper way. Many technicians supervise other workers.

Mechanical engineering technicians are also involved in the installation, operation, and maintenance of machinery used to manufacture other products. Some technicians work in technical sales. Others are employed as technical writers.

Work Environment

Because they are involved in all phases of manufacturing and design, mechanical engineering technicians work under a variety of conditions. Some spend most of their time in an office at a drawing board. Others do much of their work in a foundry, die-casting room, machine shop, or other manufacturing area. Although these technicians sometimes work near powerful, fast-moving machinery, they are seldom in danger. The safety record of manufacturing plants is good.

Mechanical engineering technicians who specialize in design usually work 35-40 hours a week on day shifts. Technicians who specialize in production sometimes work night shifts. In some cases overtime work is required. Some mechanical engineering technicians belong to unions.

More Information

Ask Questions

Do you have a specific question about a career as a Mechanical Engineering Technician that isn't answered on this page? Post your question on the Science Buddies Ask an Expert Forum.

Additional Resources

Sources

Top
Quick Links X
Free science fair projects.