Skip navigation

Mechanical Engineering Technologists & Technicians

Also called: Engineering Technician (Engineering Tech), Mechanical Designer, Mechanical Technician (Mechanical Tech), Research and Development Technician (R and D Tech)

Watch Career Video

What they do:
Apply theory and principles of mechanical engineering to modify, develop, test, or adjust machinery and equipment under direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.
On the job, you would:
  • 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.

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
  • mechanical
  • product and service development
Math and Science
  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
  • physics
Arts and Humanities
  • English language
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
  • manufacture and distribution of products

Skills

Basic Skills
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • reading work related information
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
People and Technology Systems
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
  • figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Abilities

Verbal
  • listen and understand what people say
  • read and understand what is written
Ideas and Logic
  • order or arrange things
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
Math
  • add, subtract, multiply, or divide
  • choose the right type of math to solve a problem
Attention
  • pay attention to something without being distracted

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Attention to Detail
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Dependability
  • Initiative
  • Integrity
  • Persistence

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Computer aided design CAD software
  • Autodesk Revit Hot Technology
  • Bentley MicroStation Hot Technology
Presentation software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology In Demand
Analytical or scientific software
  • Finite element method FEM software
  • The MathWorks MATLAB Hot Technology

Education

Education: (rated 3 of 5)
bachelor's degree or
certificate after high school
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training Find Certifications Apprenticeship.gov

Job Outlook

Below Average Outlook
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Salary
$60,460
$37,670
$95,300
Check out my state Local Salary Info Find Jobs

Explore More

See more details at O*NET OnLine about mechanical engineering technologists and technicians.