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Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians

$64,020 Median Wage (2023)

3,500 Projected job openings (2023-2033)

1.90% Projected growth (2023-2033)

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

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree

Related Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Up to and including 1 month

On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

Detailed Work Activities

Create graphical representations of mechanical equipment.
Prepare contracts, disclosures, or applications.
Review technical documents to plan work.
Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
Analyze test or validation data.
Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality.
Estimate technical or resource requirements for development or production projects.
Document design or operational test results.
Monitor the productivity or efficiency of industrial operations.
Estimate operational costs.
Test products for functionality or quality.
Analyze green technology design requirements.
Assemble equipment or components.
Design industrial equipment.
Assist engineers or scientists with research.
Conduct quantitative failure analyses of operational data.
Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.
Analyze costs and benefits of proposed designs or projects.
Assemble mechanical components or machine parts.
Fabricate devices or components.
Collaborate with others to develop or refine designs.
Explain engineering drawings, specifications, or other technical information.
Schedule operational activities.
Create graphical representations of industrial production systems.
Document technical design details.
Provide technical guidance to other personnel.
Test characteristics of materials or structures.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

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.
Set up prototype and test apparatus and operate test controlling equipment to observe and record prototype test results.
Evaluate tool drawing designs by measuring drawing dimensions and comparing with original specifications for form and function using engineering skills.
Analyze energy requirements and distribution systems to maximize the use of intermittent or inflexible renewable energy sources, such as wind or nuclear.
Prepare parts sketches and write work orders and purchase requests to be furnished by outside contractors.
Estimate cost factors including labor and material for purchased and fabricated parts and costs for assembly, testing, or installing.
Assist mechanical engineers in product testing through activities such as setting up instrumentation for automobile crash tests.
Conduct statistical studies to analyze or compare production costs for sustainable and nonsustainable designs.
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.

Work Styles

Achievement/Effort

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self-Control

Stress Tolerance

Adaptability/Flexibility

Dependability

Attention to Detail

Integrity

Independence

Innovation

Analytical Thinking

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 28.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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