Mechanical Engineering Technician Career

mechanical-eng-tech-500If you are a person who likes to work with both head and hands and enjoys inventing and improving different kinds of devices, mechanical engineering technology may be a rewarding field to go into. Here is a brief profile to give you an idea about this challenging career.

Mechanical engineering technicians assist in the process of designing, developing and testing mechanical devices such as tools, engines and machines. This may involve making sketches and rough layouts, recording and analyzing data, making calculations and estimates, and reporting these findings.

As a mechanical engineering technician, you will most likely work in a factory setting or in a research and development laboratory. You will work under the direction of mechanical engineers and physical scientists.

Mechanical Engineering Technician Career Snapshot

Mechanical engineering technicians operate as part of a team to accomplish a common aim. The work may sometimes require overtime; however, you generally have a lot of freedom to carry out the work independently.

Further details on a career as a mechanical engineering technician are listed below (statistics from the May 2016 Bureau of Labor Statistics and Onet Online):

$54,480

is the average annual salary for mechanical engineering technicians.

2%

increase in employment between 2014 and 2024.

25%

have a High school diploma or equivalent while 23% have some college, no degree.

Mechanical Engineering Tech Education

If this is your field of interest, you should take as many math and science courses in high school as possible. One option is then to enroll in a mechanical engineering technology program in a technical or community college and graduate in two years with an associate’s degree. Another option is an apprenticeship program of two to four years that gives you on-the-job training and a certificate or diploma.

Mechanical Engineering Tech Job Duties

An important part of the job will be testing and evaluating electrical, electronic or mechanical equipment or machines, making adjustments and designing improvements, and discussing changes with staff. You will be investigating ideas to improve existing systems and to solve problems.

Mechanical Engineering Tech Salaries

In 2014, the median annual salary for this occupation was $54,480. The highest ten percent earned more than $82,810, and the lowest ten percent earned less than $34,030.

Mechanical Engineering Tech Job Outlook

The expected job outlook for 2014 – 2024 is slower than average at two percent. However, you can increase your chances for employment by mastering new technology and software, and focusing on growth industries such as automation, remanufacturing, 3-D printing and alternative energies.

Mechanical Engineering Technician Skills & Traits

Mechanical Engineering Tech Skill Set:Required Abilities:Tools Used by Mechanical Engineering Techs:Typical Work Activities:
• Active Listening
• Reading Comprehension
• Critical Thinking
• Operation Monitoring
• Oral Comprehension
• Deductive Reasoning
• Problem Sensitivity
• Near Vision
• Amplifiers
• Calipers
• Drill press or radial drill
• Gas welding or brazing or cutting apparatus
• Getting Information
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems

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