Life As a Mechanical Engineering Technician

Job Description & Duties Apply theory and principles of mechanical engineering to modify, develop, test, or calibrate machinery and equipment under direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.

What Do Mechanical Engineering Technicians Do On a Daily Basis?

• Discuss changes in design, method of manufacture and assembly, and drafting techniques and procedures with staff and coordinate corrections.
• Set up prototype and test apparatus and operate test controlling equipment to observe and record prototype test results.
• Test equipment, using test devices attached to generator, voltage regulator, or other electrical parts, such as generators or spark plugs.
• Read dials and meters to determine amperage, voltage, electrical output and input at specific operating temperature to analyze parts performance.
• Evaluate tool drawing designs by measuring drawing dimensions and comparing with original specifications for form and function using engineering skills.
• Devise, fabricate, and assemble new or modified mechanical components for products such as industrial machinery or equipment, and measuring instruments.

What Every Mechanical Engineering Technician Should Know

When polled, Mechanical Engineering Technicians say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Types of Mechanical Engineering Technician

• Mechanical Inspector
• Process Engineering Technician
• Tool Design Checker
• Laboratory Technician
• Mechanical Designer

Job Outlook for Mechanical Engineering Technicians

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 46,100 jobs in the United States for Mechanical Engineering Technician. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 2,300 new jobs for Mechanical Engineering Technician by 2026. There will be an estimated 4,200 positions for Mechanical Engineering Technician per year.

The states with the most job growth for Mechanical Engineering Technician are Utah, Connecticut, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Maine, or Hawaii. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Do Mechanical Engineering Technicians Make A Lot Of Money?

The average yearly salary of a Mechanical Engineering Technician ranges between $34,900 and $85,430.

Mechanical Engineering Technicians who work in Louisiana, New Mexico, or Colorado, make the highest salaries.

How much do Mechanical Engineering Technicians make in different U.S. states?

State	Annual Mean Salary
Alabama	$57,670
Alaska	$65,050
Arizona	$57,620
Arkansas	$53,860
California	$62,510
Colorado	$68,690
Connecticut	$69,900
District of Columbia	$55,820
Florida	$50,360
Georgia	$55,540
Idaho	$54,740
Illinois	$60,940
Indiana	$53,430
Iowa	$51,710
Kansas	$55,210
Kentucky	$50,510
Louisiana	$82,350
Maine	$62,720
Maryland	$61,790
Massachusetts	$60,100
Michigan	$55,470
Minnesota	$58,940
Mississippi	$61,630
Missouri	$51,850
Montana	$55,070
Nebraska	$56,070
Nevada	$67,610
New Hampshire	$55,160
New Jersey	$55,090
New Mexico	$79,530
New York	$60,000
North Carolina	$54,810
North Dakota	$59,350
Ohio	$54,660
Oklahoma	$58,630
Oregon	$51,860
Pennsylvania	$54,640
Rhode Island	$59,180
South Carolina	$58,790
South Dakota	$43,310
Tennessee	$55,730
Texas	$67,740
Utah	$54,060
Vermont	$53,420
Virginia	$60,860
Washington	$65,300
West Virginia	$54,950
Wisconsin	$52,140

What Tools & Technology do Mechanical Engineering Technicians Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Mechanical Engineering Technicians may use on a daily basis:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Web browser software
• SAP
• Microsoft Project
• The MathWorks MATLAB
• Microsoft Visual Basic
• Computer aided design CAD software
• National Instruments LabVIEW
• Dassault Systemes CATIA
• Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS
• Bentley MicroStation
• PTC Creo Parametric
• Autodesk Revit
• Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
• Corel WordPerfect
• Wolfram Research Mathematica
• Autodesk Inventor

How to Become a Mechanical Engineering Technician

Individuals working as a Mechanical Engineering Technician have obtained the following education levels:

What work experience do I need to become a Mechanical Engineering Technician?

Who Employs Mechanical Engineering Technicians?

The table below shows the approximate number of Mechanical Engineering Technicians employed by various industries.

You May Also Be Interested In…

Those thinking about becoming a Mechanical Engineering Technician might also be interested in the following careers:

• Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
• Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic

Those who work as a Mechanical Engineering Technician sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

• Electro-Mechanical Technicians

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

Image Credit: via Creative Commons CC0

More about our data sources and methodologies.