These days almost any product you buy at a store had its finishing touches put on by an assembler. Assemblers and fabricators construct finished products and the parts that go into them. They use tools, machines, and their hands to make a wide variety of products, in many different settings. Assemblers and fabricators typically specialize. For example: Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers fit, fasten, and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles, or missiles. Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers use bolts, rivets and soldering equipment to build parts of products like motors, computers, and sensing equipment that require the soft touch and fine motor skills of human hands. Fiberglass laminators and fabricators apply layers of fiberglass on molds to form structures for boats, cars, and other products. They wear respirators and protective clothing for safety. Most assemblers and fabricators work in manufacturing plants, where difficult tasks may be automated or aided by power tools. However, assembly work can still involve long periods of standing, sitting, or working on ladders. While some jobs involve exposure to chemicals or fumes… ventilation systems generally minimize harmful effects. Although a high school diploma or equivalent and on-the-job training are enough for most jobs, experience and additional education or training is needed for more advanced assembly work.
What they do:
Assemble or modify electromechanical equipment or devices, such as servomechanisms, gyros, dynamometers, magnetic drums, tape drives, brakes, control linkage, actuators, and appliances.
On the job, you would:
Inspect, test, and adjust completed units to ensure that units meet specifications, tolerances, and customer order requirements.
Position, align, and adjust parts for proper fit and assembly.
Assemble parts or units, and position, align, and fasten units to assemblies, subassemblies, or frames, using hand tools and power tools.
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
manufacture and distribution of products
Engineering and Technology
mechanical
computers and electronics
Arts and Humanities
English language
Basic Skills
reading work related information
talking to others
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Hand and Finger Use
keep your arm or hand steady
put together small parts with your fingers
Verbal
communicate by speaking
listen and understand what people say
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
Dependability
Integrity
Cooperation
Adaptability/Flexibility
Analytical Thinking
You might use software like this on the job:
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Graphics or photo imaging software
Blueprint display software
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
SAP software
high school diploma/GED or associate's degree usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.