Occupation · SOC 17-3027
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Apply theory and principles of mechanical engineering to modify, develop, test, or adjust machinery and equipment under direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.
Median wage
$68,730
$46,940–$100,890
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
37,450
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
184 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningComplex Problem SolvingSpeakingOperations MonitoringWritingJudgment and Decision Making
Knowledge areas
Engineering and TechnologyMechanicalDesignMathematicsEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Analytical or scientific softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareObject or component oriented development softwareComputer aided manufacturing CAM softwareIndustrial control software
Representative 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.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Engineering sketches and basic drawings — read and interpret under direct supervision to identify key dimensions and tolerances on entry-level mechanical projects.Hand tools and standard fasteners — use to assemble straightforward mechanical subassemblies following written step-by-step procedures in a shop environment.Test equipment and gauges — operate under guidance to record baseline measurements of mechanical components during scheduled inspection routines.Engineering specifications and parts lists — review with supervisor direction to verify that fabricated components match blueprint requirements on a production floor.Basic drafting software or CAD tools — create simple detail sketches or part drawings to support drafting room completion requests under technician oversight.Mathematical formulas for capacity and load — apply with direct guidance to perform entry-level calculations for proposed mechanical system sizing.Test result data and observation logs — compile accurately using provided templates to support engineering personnel review after standard component tests.Safety protocols and equipment handling procedures — follow consistently when setting up or breaking down mechanical test rigs in a supervised laboratory setting.Office suite and spreadsheet software — use to organize and present collected mechanical data under supervision for inclusion in technical documentation packages.Technical vocabulary and engineering terminology — apply accurately when listening to and relaying instructions between shop personnel and engineering staff.
developing
Complex mechanical assemblies and subassemblies — disassemble and reassemble with reduced oversight, following engineering drawings and established procedures on industrial equipment.Engineering drawings, GD&T annotations, and specification sheets — interpret independently to determine fabrication requirements and flag discrepancies to engineering staff.Equipment capacity calculations — perform using standard engineering formulas and submit organized data packages to engineering personnel for design approval.Project blueprints and test specifications — review routinely to define test objectives, identify technical constraints, and prepare test setups for mechanical performance evaluations.Test machines and mechanical components — operate and monitor to measure performance, strength, and stress-response characteristics in a controlled test environment.CAD software — draft detailed mechanical drawings and part sketches with dimensional accuracy to request fabrication from machine or sheet-metal shops.Analytical or scientific software — use to process test data and compare results against rated design specifications, identifying deviations that require adjustment.Technical documentation and engineering reports — write clearly and concisely to record test procedures, findings, and equipment modifications for project files.Industrial control software and monitoring tools — apply during equipment run cycles to track operational parameters and flag out-of-specification readings.Time management practices — apply to coordinate multiple concurrent test or fabrication tasks, meeting established project milestones with limited supervisory direction.
proficient
Complex mechanical systems across full assembly scope — independently assemble, troubleshoot, and disassemble including diagnosis of non-routine failures on industrial or prototype equipment.Multi-sheet engineering drawing packages and revised specifications — interpret autonomously to resolve ambiguities, confirm design intent, and guide shop personnel on fabrication decisions.System capacity and performance calculations — conduct end-to-end across proposed mechanical designs, validating assumptions and delivering approved data sets to engineering teams.Non-standard test scenarios and redesign problems — analyze by reviewing all project instructions, blueprints, and objectives to develop modified test protocols that address technical anomalies.Test result analysis — perform in depth by comparing empirical data against design specifications, applying engineering judgment to modify or adjust equipment until performance criteria are met.CAD and CAM software — produce complete detail drawings and manufacture-ready models that meet drafting standards and are directly usable by fabrication shops.Technical support role — provide to engineering colleagues and skilled trades staff on mechanical design, fabrication methods, testing techniques, and documentation best practices.Systems analysis and evaluation techniques — apply to assess how mechanical subsystem changes propagate through overall equipment performance and production quality.Database and query tools — leverage to retrieve, correlate, and audit historical test data, maintenance records, and materials specifications for continuous improvement analysis.Quality control analysis — execute systematically on fabricated parts and tested assemblies, applying acceptance criteria and statistical reasoning to approve or reject output.
advanced
Mechanical engineering technician teams — lead and mentor across projects, setting performance standards and developing junior staff competency in design, testing, and fabrication practices.Organizational engineering documentation standards — establish and maintain for drawings, test procedures, and technical reports, ensuring consistency across all project teams and disciplines.Strategic capacity planning and equipment specification frameworks — develop for proposed mechanical systems, coordinating cross-functional review with engineering, procurement, and operations leadership.Complex redesign and root-cause investigations — direct at organizational scale, integrating critical thinking, systems evaluation, and physics-based reasoning to resolve high-impact mechanical failures.CAD/CAM and analytical software ecosystems — evaluate, select, and champion adoption of across the department, aligning tooling investments with evolving project and production requirements.Technical knowledge transfer programs — design and deliver for new technologists and apprentices, incorporating hands-on lab work, drawing interpretation exercises, and test methodology training.Cross-departmental technical collaboration — facilitate between mechanical engineering, manufacturing, quality, and project management functions to align design intent with production and test outcomes.Quality management and systems evaluation processes — oversee at the department level, defining inspection criteria, audit schedules, and corrective-action frameworks for mechanical products and processes.Innovation and continuous improvement initiatives — champion by applying intellectual curiosity and systems analysis to identify opportunities for design optimization, cost reduction, and reliability enhancement.Organizational decision-making on mechanical engineering investments — inform by synthesizing technical data, test performance trends, and risk assessments into executive-level presentations and recommendations.
Also known as
70 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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