Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians

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Duties

Engineers, technologists, and technicians in mechanical engineering often do the following:

• Prior to adding or changing tools, carefully review the design drawings' requirements.
• A three-dimensional design program is often used to create layouts and drawings of the assembly process and the components to be manufactured.
• Enhance equipment dependability and safety by making cost-effective improvements to its design.
• In order to guarantee that project plans adhere to test criteria and procedures and satisfy goals, review instructions and blueprints.
• To design, manufacture, and assemble industrial machinery and other items with mechanical components
• Set up and run unit and component tests, and document the results.

If necessary, propose adjustments to items or testing techniques based on the results of the tests.

Calculate company forecasts, such as labor expenses and equipment lifespans, by doing the necessary computations.

Installing, troubleshooting, and maintaining designs established by engineers are common tasks for mechanical engineering technicians. Engineers and engineering technologists may supervise their job.

Typically, mechanical engineering technologists assist engineers in refining designs or incorporating new technologies. Teams of mechanical engineering technicians are often led by team leaders, who advise them on how to install various systems and structures.

In certain cases, mechanical engineering technologists and technicians collaborate alongside engineers to solve production issues by performing tests and inspections on machinery and equipment. They may, for example, assist in automobile crash testing by putting up instruments.

Education

Students interested in a career in mechanical engineering should study math, physics, and computer science studies in high school.

Associate's degrees from community colleges or vocational-technical schools are often required for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians. A bachelor's degree or accreditation from an organization like ABET may be preferred by employers when hiring applicants.

Registration, Licenses, and Certifications

Technician certification programs offered by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) include optional qualifications. It is possible to earn certification in fire sprinkler layout or fire sprinkler inspection and testing for mechanical engineering specialists and technologists who analyze water-based fire prevention systems. For the certification procedure to be valid, a supervisor of an engineering technologist or technician must typically validate the candidate's performance capability.

Advancement

Technologists may rise through the ranks after completing the necessary training or certification requirements.

Qualities that matter

The ability to communicate effectively. If you're working in mechanical engineering, you'll need to be able to explain why new designs or testing techniques are necessary.

Dedicated to accuracy and precision. Technologists and technicians in the field of mechanical engineering are responsible for performing exact measurements and maintaining meticulous records for the benefit of mechanical engineers.

Skills in math. Analyzing, designing, and debugging mechanical systems need the application of mathematics by professionals and technologists in the field.

Skills in mechanics. Making new parts for industrial machinery or equipment requires mechanical engineering technologists and technicians to apply theory and instructions from engineers. Drill presses, grinders, and engine lathes, for example, may be required to be operated by these individuals.

Ability to work with issues. In order to bring mechanical engineers' thoughts and designs to reality, mechanical engineering technologists and technicians are needed. Helping the engineer solve challenges that arise during development or production may be necessary.

Pay

The median annual wage for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians was $64,020 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $44,110, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $96,740.

Job Projections

Employment of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians is projected to grow 2 percent from 2023 to 2033, slower than the average for all occupations.