What Do Mechanical Engineering Technicians Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

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Job Description, Daily Responsibilities, and Work Life

Mechanical Engineering Technicians

Mechanical Engineering 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.

Salary
$60880
Becoming One
Medium
Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth

Personality



Job Description

Job Description

Mechanical Engineering Technicians apply theory and principles of mechanical engineering to modify, develop, test, or calibrate machinery and equipment under direction of engineering staff or physical scientists. They also discuss changes in design, method of manufacture and assembly, and drafting techniques and procedures with staff and coordinate corrections.

Other tasks include:

  • Calculate required capacities for equipment of proposed system to obtain specified performance and submit data to engineering personnel for approval.
  • Set up prototype and test apparatus and operate test controlling equipment to observe and record prototype test results.
  • Review project instructions and blueprints to ascertain test specifications, procedures, and objectives, and test nature of technical problems such as redesign.
  • Devise, fabricate, and assemble new or modified mechanical components for products such as industrial machinery or equipment, and measuring instruments.
  • Operate drill press, grinders, engine lathe, or other machines to modify parts tested or to fabricate experimental parts for testing.
  • Draft detail drawing or sketch for drafting room completion or to request parts fabrication by machine, sheet or wood shops.

We asked Mechanical Engineering Technicians how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

Job satisfaction

60%

How meaningful is this job

65%


60% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 65% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.



Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Mechanical Engineering Technicians review project instructions and blueprints to ascertain test specifications, procedures, and objectives, and test nature of technical problems such as redesign. They discuss changes in design, method of manufacture and assembly, and drafting techniques and procedures with staff and coordinate corrections.

A typical day for a Mechanical Engineering Technician will also include:

  • Calculate required capacities for equipment of proposed system to obtain specified performance and submit data to engineering personnel for approval.
  • Draft detail drawing or sketch for drafting room completion or to request parts fabrication by machine, sheet or wood shops.
  • Prepare parts sketches and write work orders and purchase requests to be furnished by outside contractors.
  • Operate drill press, grinders, engine lathe, or other machines to modify parts tested or to fabricate experimental parts for testing.
  • Devise, fabricate, and assemble new or modified mechanical components for products such as industrial machinery or equipment, and measuring instruments.

We asked some Mechanical Engineering Technicians a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job? 49% said yes
How important is it to work in a team in this job? 42% said very important
Do you have group discussions everyday in this job? 75% said yes
Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job? 15% said yes
Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job? 6% said yes
Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job? 28% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Mechanical Engineering Technicians also estimate cost factors including labor and material for purchased and fabricated parts and costs for assembly, testing, or installing. They may also review project instructions and specifications to identify, modify and plan requirements fabrication, assembly and testing.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Mechanical Engineering Technicians Prepare parts sketches and write work orders and purchase requests to be furnished by outside contractors. They might also Analyze test results in relation to design or rated specifications and test objectives, and modify or adjust equipment to meet specifications.

In addition, they Inspect lines and figures for clarity and return erroneous drawings to designer for correction.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Review project instructions and blueprints to ascertain test specifications, procedures, and objectives, and test nature of technical problems such as redesign.

To some Mechanical Engineering Technicians, it is also their responsibility to Test equipment, using test devices attached to generator, voltage regulator, or other electrical parts, such as generators or spark plugs.


Working life

Working hours

More than 40 hours per week

Working schedule

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Mechanical Engineering Technician, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Do Mechanical Engineering Technicians work in an office-style work environment?

Every day
86%


Never
10%


Do Mechanical Engineering Technicians work outdoors?

Never
54%


Once a year
34%



Is this right for me

Best personality for this career

The Builders and The Thinkers

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

You can read more about these career personality types here.



Learn more about Mechanical Engineering Technicians

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Related to Mechanical Engineering Technicians Job Description

Mechanical Engineering Technicians job description, what do Mechanical Engineering Technicians do, typical day for Mechanical Engineering Technicians, what is it like to work as a Mechanical Engineering Technician, how many hours do Mechanical Engineering Technicians work, day to day work of a Mechanical Engineering Technician

Additional resources

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/architecture-and-engineering/mechanical-engineering-technicians.htm
http://www.abet.org/
http://www.nicet.org/


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