How to become Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technician in 2024

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

Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technician is Also Know as

In different settings, Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technician is titled as

  • Engineering Laboratory Technician (Engineering Lab Technician)
  • Engineering Technical Analyst
  • Engineering Technician (Engineering Tech)
  • Engineering Technologist
  • Manufacturing Engineering Technician (Manufacturing Engineering Tech)
  • Mechanical Designer
  • Mechanical Technician (Mechanical Tech)
  • Process Engineering Technician (Process Engineering Tech)
  • Process Technician
  • Research and Development Technician (R and D Tech)

Education and Training of Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technician

Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technician is categorized in Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Experience Required for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technician

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.

Education Required for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technician

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Degrees Related to Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technician

Training Required for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technician

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.

Related Ocuupations

Some Ocuupations related to Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technician in different industries are

What Do Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technician do?

  • Prepare parts sketches and write work orders and purchase requests to be furnished by outside contractors.
  • Draft detail drawing or sketch for drafting room completion or to request parts fabrication by machine, sheet or wood shops.
  • Review project instructions and blueprints to ascertain test specifications, procedures, and objectives, and test nature of technical problems such as redesign.
  • Review project instructions and specifications to identify, modify and plan requirements fabrication, assembly and testing.
  • Set up and conduct tests of complete units and components under operational conditions to investigate proposals for improving equipment performance.
  • Analyze test results in relation to design or rated specifications and test objectives, and modify or adjust equipment to meet specifications.
  • Evaluate tool drawing designs by measuring drawing dimensions and comparing with original specifications for form and function using engineering skills.
  • Calculate required capacities for equipment of proposed system to obtain specified performance and submit data to engineering personnel for approval.
  • Record test procedures and results, numerical and graphical data, and recommendations for changes in product or test methods.
  • Read dials and meters to determine amperage, voltage, electrical output and input at specific operating temperature to analyze parts performance.
  • Estimate cost factors including labor and material for purchased and fabricated parts and costs for assembly, testing, or installing.
  • Set up prototype and test apparatus and operate test controlling equipment to observe and record prototype test results.
  • Analyze energy requirements and distribution systems to maximize the use of intermittent or inflexible renewable energy sources, such as wind or nuclear.
  • Analyze or estimate production costs, such as labor, equipment, and plant space.
  • Assemble or disassemble complex mechanical systems.
  • Assist engineers to design, develop, test, or manufacture industrial machinery, consumer products, or other equipment.
  • Assist mechanical engineers in product testing through activities such as setting up instrumentation for automobile crash tests.
  • Conduct failure analyses, document results, and recommend corrective actions.
  • Conduct statistical studies to analyze or compare production costs for sustainable and nonsustainable designs.
  • Design molds, tools, dies, jigs, or fixtures for use in manufacturing processes.
  • Design specialized or customized equipment, machines, or structures.
  • 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.
  • Interpret engineering sketches, specifications, or drawings.
  • Prepare equipment inspection schedules, reliability schedules, work plans, or other records.
  • Prepare layouts of machinery, tools, plants, or equipment.
  • Prepare specifications, designs, or sketches for machines, components, or systems related to the generation, transmission, or use of mechanical or fluid energy.
  • 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.
  • Monitor, inspect, or test mechanical equipment.

Qualities of Good Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technician

  • Written Comprehension: The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Oral Comprehension: The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Near Vision: The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Information Ordering: The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Inductive Reasoning: The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Deductive Reasoning: The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Problem Sensitivity: The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
  • Speech Recognition: The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Oral Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Category Flexibility: The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Number Facility: The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
  • Selective Attention: The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Written Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Mathematical Reasoning: The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
  • Flexibility of Closure: The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Visualization: The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Speech Clarity: The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Perceptual Speed: The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
  • Fluency of Ideas: The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
  • Originality: The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
  • Far Vision: The ability to see details at a distance.
  • Control Precision: The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Finger Dexterity: The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness: The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Visual Color Discrimination: The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
  • Manual Dexterity: The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Multilimb Coordination: The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Auditory Attention: The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
  • Reaction Time: The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
  • Memorization: The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.
  • Time Sharing: The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).
  • Speed of Closure: The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
  • Hearing Sensitivity: The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
  • Rate Control: The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
  • Trunk Strength: The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
  • Extent Flexibility: The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  • Depth Perception: The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
  • Wrist-Finger Speed: The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.
  • Stamina: The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.
  • Static Strength: The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  • Response Orientation: The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.
  • Sound Localization: The ability to tell the direction from which a sound originated.
  • Glare Sensitivity: The ability to see objects in the presence of a glare or bright lighting.
  • Spatial Orientation: The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know where other objects are in relation to you.
  • Peripheral Vision: The ability to see objects or movement of objects to one's side when the eyes are looking ahead.
  • Night Vision: The ability to see under low-light conditions.
  • Gross Body Equilibrium: The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
  • Gross Body Coordination: The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together when the whole body is in motion.
  • Dynamic Strength: The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This involves muscular endurance and resistance to muscle fatigue.
  • Explosive Strength: The ability to use short bursts of muscle force to propel oneself (as in jumping or sprinting), or to throw an object.
  • Speed of Limb Movement: The ability to quickly move the arms and legs.
  • Dynamic Flexibility: The ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with your body, arms, and/or legs.

Tools Used by Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technician

  • Absorption dynamometers
  • Accelerometers
  • Adjustable wrenches
  • Air compressors
  • Analytical balances
  • Anemometers
  • Angle grinders
  • Arc welding equipment
  • Arc-joint pliers
  • Band saws
  • Belt sanders
  • Bench grinders
  • Bend test fixtures
  • Binocular compound microscopes
  • Bore gauges
  • Boring machines
  • Brazing equipment
  • C clamps
  • Center punches
  • Centerless grinding machines
  • Clamp-on ammeters
  • Claw hammers
  • Cold cut chop saws
  • Combination milling machines
  • Combination squares
  • Compression testers
  • Compression testing machines
  • Computerized numerical control CNC lathes
  • Computerized numerical control CNC vertical milling machines
  • Computerized scales
  • Constant temperature baths
  • Coordinate measuring machines CMM
  • Cylindrical grinders
  • Dial calipers
  • Dial indicators
  • Digital hardness testers
  • Digital multimeters
  • Digitizing tablets
  • Drafting plotters
  • Drill presses
  • Dry rod ovens
  • Dual centrifuges
  • Dual column bandsaws
  • Durometers
  • Dynamic mechanical analyzers DMA
  • Dynamometers
  • Electronic comparators
  • Electronic strain gauges
  • Extrusion machines
  • Fatigue testers
  • Fatigue testing machines
  • Fluid meters
  • Force sensors
  • Forklifts
  • Freon recovery equipment
  • Fume hoods
  • Fused deposition modeling FDM machines
  • Gas welding equipment
  • Go/no-go gauges
  • Granite surface plates
  • Grinding machines
  • Guided bend weld test units
  • Hacksaws
  • Hand brakes
  • Hardness testers
  • Heat treatment furnaces
  • Hex keys
  • High-voltage amplifiers
  • Hydraulic benches
  • Hydraulic presses
  • Hydraulic universal testers
  • Hydrostatics benches
  • Impact testers
  • Injection molding machines
  • Internal grinding machines
  • Laminated object manufacturing LOM systems
  • Lapping machines
  • Laptop computers
  • Lathes
  • Layout squares
  • Linear amplifiers
  • Load cells
  • Locking pliers
  • Long nose pliers
  • Manual load frames
  • Marking gauges
  • Measuring tapes
  • Metal cutting dies
  • Metal cutting taps
  • Metal inert gas MIG welders
  • Metal inert gas MIG welding equipment
  • Metallographs
  • Micro lathes
  • Micro mills
  • Microfluidic particle imaging velocimetry PIV systems
  • Micrometers
  • Microprocessors
  • Mill files
  • Milling machines
  • Nut drivers
  • Offset screwdrivers
  • Open channel flow apparatuses
  • Optical comparators
  • Optical compound microscopes
  • Oscilloscopes
  • Oxyacetylene welding equipment
  • Oxygen bomb calorimeters
  • Pedestal grinders
  • Personal computers
  • Phillips head screwdrivers
  • Photoelastic testing machines
  • Plane-parallel gauge blocks
  • Plastic injection molding machines
  • Pneumatic ratchets
  • Polarimeters
  • Polishing machines
  • Portable welding equipment
  • Positioning jigs
  • Power drills
  • Power grinders
  • Power shears
  • Power sheet metal shears
  • Pressure sensors
  • Programmable logic controllers PLC
  • Protractors
  • Punch presses
  • Ring gauges
  • Rotameters
  • Rotational molders
  • Safety gloves
  • Safety goggles
  • Screw gauge micrometers
  • Screw pitch gauges
  • Screw thread gauges
  • Scribers
  • Scroll saws
  • Selective laser sintering SLS systems
  • Servohydraulic load frames
  • Shear testers
  • Sheet metal slitters
  • Shielded arc welding tools
  • Signal conditioners
  • Signal generators
  • Sine bars
  • Slip joint pliers
  • Slotted screwdrivers
  • Snap gauges
  • Socket wrench sets
  • Soldering equipment
  • Sound level meters
  • Spectrometers
  • Spirit levels
  • Spot welders
  • Steel rules
  • Stick welding machines
  • Straight screwdrivers
  • Strain gauges
  • Superfinishing machines
  • Surface grinding machines
  • Switched amplifiers
  • Taper plug gauges
  • Temperature sensors
  • Tensile testers
  • Three-dimensional laser digitizers
  • Three-dimensional prototyping printer
  • Tool grinders
  • Torque meters
  • Torsion testers
  • Track burning machines
  • Tungsten inert gas TIG welding equipment
  • Twin-screw extruders
  • Twist drills
  • Ultrasound inspection equipment
  • Universal testing machines
  • Utility knives
  • Vacuum molders
  • Vernier calipers
  • Vernier height gauges
  • Vibration monitors
  • Vibration testers
  • Welding masks
  • Wind tunnels
  • Wire cutters
  • Wire strippers

Technology Skills required for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technician

  • Ansys Fluent
  • ANSYS Mechanical
  • ANSYS simulation software
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Mechanical
  • Autodesk Inventor
  • Autodesk Revit
  • Bentley MicroStation
  • C++
  • CNC Mastercam
  • Computer aided design CAD software
  • Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
  • Computerized numerical control CNC programming software
  • Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
  • Dassault Systemes CATIA
  • Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
  • Data acquisition software
  • Finite element method FEM software
  • IBM CATIA
  • Intellisense Intellisuite
  • Mathsoft Mathcad
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Project
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Microsoft Visual Basic
  • Microsoft Word
  • MSC Software Adams
  • National Instruments LabVIEW
  • ProModel
  • PTC Creo Parametric
  • PTC Pro/ENGINEER Mechanica
  • Robotic control software
  • SAP software
  • Soft Servo Systems LadderWorks PLC
  • Spectral Dynamics Star Acoustics
  • Spectral Dynamics Star Modal
  • Stereolithography SLA rapid prototyping systems
  • TekSoft CAMWorks
  • The MathWorks MATLAB
  • Three-dimensional 3D solid modeling software
  • Web browser software
  • Wolfram Research Mathematica