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Fascinated with engines and machines of all kinds? Well-organized and detail-oriented? Mechanical engineering technicians work with machines in all sorts of ways— from helping create new designs… to developing models and testing them… to manufacturing and operating finished machines. Often working with instructions from mechanical engineers, these technicians use 3-D design software, or sometimes paper and pencil, to make sketches of parts to be made, and of the process for putting parts together. To help determine the viability of producing parts, mechanical engineering technicians estimate labor costs, length of equipment life, and plant space needed for production. Based on their designs, they plan and produce new mechanical parts or make changes to existing products. Precision is critical— so products and equipment are tested and results are compared with original design specifications. When issues are uncovered, mechanical engineering technicians work with engineers to eliminate production problems. These technicians work primarily for engineering firms and manufacturing facilities on products such as flight simulators and control panels. Some work in research labs. Most work full time. Employers prefer candidates with an associate’s degree or certificate in mechanical engineering technology. Taking science and math courses in high school is helpful.