Mechanical Engineering Technicians

Career Description: Apply theory and principles of mechanical engineering to modify, develop, and test machinery and equipment under direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.

Industry: Architecture and Engineering

Other Job Titles for Mechanical Engineering Technicians:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• 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.
• Devise, fabricate, and 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, and drafting techniques and procedures with staff and coordinate corrections.
• Set up and conduct tests of complete units and components under operational conditions to investigate proposals for improving equipment performance.
• Inspect lines and figures for clarity and return erroneous drawings to designer for correction.
• 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.
• Confer with technicians and submit reports of test results to engineering department and recommend design or material changes.
• 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.
• Operate drill press, grinders, engine lathe, or other machines to modify parts tested or to fabricate experimental parts for testing.
• Test equipment, using test devices attached to generator, voltage regulator, or other electrical parts, such as generators or spark plugs.
• Replicate the characteristics of materials and their components with computers.
• Teach in colleges and universities.
• Maintain and coordinate repair of marine machinery and equipment for installation on vessels.
• Maintain records of engineering department activities, including expense records and details of equipment maintenance and repairs.
• Schedule machine overhauls and the servicing of electrical, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, water, and sewage systems.
• Produce presentations of surface and mineral ownership layers by interpreting legal survey plans.
• Design and supervise the development of systems processes or equipment for control, management, or remediation of water, air, or soil quality.

Emerging Tasks

• Conduct stability analyses of ships.
• Seek new work opportunities through marketing and writing proposals.
• Estimate production costs, cost saving methods, and the effects of product design changes on expenditures for management review, action, and control.
• Keep documentation of service histories on all biomedical equipment.
• Manage team of engineers by creating schedules, tracking inventory, creating and utilizing budgets, and overseeing contract obligations and deadlines.
• Write documents describing protocols, policies, standards for use, maintenance, and repair of medical equipment.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• analyze engineering design problems
• analyze engineering test data
• analyze technical data, designs, or preliminary specifications
• calculate engineering specifications
• communicate technical information
• conduct performance testing
• confer with engineering, technical or manufacturing personnel
• develop plans for programs or projects
• diagnose mechanical problems in machinery or equipment
• draw prototypes, plans, or maps to scale
• estimate cost for engineering projects
• evaluate engineering data
• examine engineering documents for completeness or accuracy
• fill out purchase requisitions
• follow manufacturing methods or techniques
• follow statistical process control procedures
• inspect facilities or equipment for regulatory compliance
• modify electrical or electronic equipment or products
• operate metal or plastic fabricating equipment/machinery
• operate pneumatic test equipment
• operate precision test equipment
• prepare technical reports or related documentation
• read blueprints
• read schematics
• read technical drawings
• read vehicle manufacturer's specifications
• recommend solutions to engineering problems
• record test results, test procedures, or inspection data
• set up and operate variety of machine tools
• test equipment as part of engineering projects or processes
• understand engineering data or reports
• understand service or repair manuals
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use drafting or mechanical drawing techniques
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use knowledge of metric system
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use robotics systems technology
• use scientific research methodology
• use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
• use technical regulations for engineering problems
• evaluate material specifications
• examine engineering documents for completeness or accuracy
• explain complex mathematical information
• follow manufacturing methods or techniques
• follow safe waste disposal procedures
• follow statistical process control procedures
• improve test devices or techniques in manufacturing, industrial or engineering setting
• lead teams in engineering projects
• perform statistical analysis in physical science or geological research
• plan testing of engineering methods
• prepare reports
• prepare technical reports or related documentation
• provide analytical assessment of engineering data
• read blueprints
• read technical drawings
• recognize characteristics of alloys
• recognize characteristics of metals
• recommend materials for products
• resolve engineering or science problems
• study structure or properties of submicroscopic matter
• test equipment as part of engineering projects or processes
• test materials or solutions
• understand engineering data or reports
• understand properties of gases or liquids
• use chemical testing or analysis procedures
• use computer aided drafting or design software for design, drafting, modeling, or other engineering tasks
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use drafting or mechanical drawing techniques
• use government regulations
• use hazardous materials information
• use intuitive judgment for engineering analyses
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use knowledge of materials testing procedures
• use library or online Internet research techniques
• use long or short term production planning techniques
• use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
• use metal processing methodology
• use physical science research techniques
• use pollution control techniques
• use project management techniques
• use quality assurance techniques
• use quantitative research methods
• use relational database software
• use research methodology procedures within manufacturing or commerce
• use robotics systems technology
• use scientific research methodology
• use spreadsheet software
• use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
• use technical regulations for engineering problems
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• work as a team member
• write business project or bid proposals
• write product performance requirements
• use relational database software
• use research methodology procedures within manufacturing or commerce
• use robotics systems technology
• use scientific research methodology
• use spreadsheet software
• use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
• use technical regulations for engineering problems
• use total quality management practices
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• work as a team member
• write business project or bid proposals
• write product performance requirements

Overall Experience
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.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

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

Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include funeral directors, electricians, forest and conservation technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$22.73
• Average annual wage (2007) - $47,280.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 6.40%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 3,057
• Employment (2006): 47,792

• Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
• Machinists
• Marine Architects
• Marine Engineers
• Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
• Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
• Petroleum Engineers
• Mechanical Engineers
• Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
• Petroleum Engineers