Mechanical engineering technician

About this occupation

Mechanical engineering technicians provide technical support to mechanical engineers in producing and manufacturing mechanical machinery. They help make designs and adjustments, and perform tests. They also develop layouts and drawings, collate and interpret data and write reports.

• 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.

Typical education (US)

Bachelor's Degree

Preparation

Job Zone 3 of 5

Interests

Realistic, Investigative, Conventional

Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Speaking, Complex Problem Solving, Writing

US median pay: US$74,510 a year (2025), 36,190 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Subjects this work relies on

How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).

• MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalVery important (4.1)
• Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyVery important (4.1)
• Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignVery important (4.0)
• Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.7)
• English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.5)
• Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.4)
• PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsImportant (3.2)

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

Preparation needed

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Most common education (US)

Bachelor's Degree

Education

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

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.

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. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.