All careers

Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply theory and principles of mechanical engineering to modify, develop, test, or adjust machinery and equipment under direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.

What you’d 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.

Skills that matter

  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Speaking
  • Operations Monitoring

How to get there

Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

Also called

  • Engineering Technician (Engineering Tech)
  • Mechanical Designer
  • Mechanical Technician (Mechanical Tech)
  • Research and Development Technician (R and D Tech)
  • Engineering Laboratory Technician (Engineering Lab Technician)
  • Engineering Technical Analyst
See all careers
  • Calibration Technologists and Technicians

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Execute or adapt procedures and techniques for calibrating measurement devices, by applying knowledge of measurement science, mathematics…

    Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

    Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair…

    Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

  • Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test…

    Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

  • Robotics Technicians

    Build, install, test, or maintain robotic equipment or related automated production systems.

    Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

  • Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians

    Apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of…

    Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

  • Mechanical Drafters

    Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering…

    Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree