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Mechanical Engineering Techs Job Overview

Mechanical engineering technicians assist engineers in the designing, testing, developing, and manufacturing of consumer products, industrial machinery, and other equipment. They also help in setting up instrumentation for any kind of auto crash tests. They make rough layouts and sketches, calculate the estimation, analyze the recorded data, and prepare reports on their findings. Apart from estimating the equipment life, they also calculate the labor costs and plant space. Machines and equipment are also inspected by them so as to eliminate any kind of production problems.

Mechanical Engineering Techs Schools and Degrees

To become a mechanical engineering tech, one can pursue the two year associate degree programs which are offered by the technical institutes and community colleges. These degree programs are accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology or ABET. They include college algebra, one or two basic science courses, and trigonometry. The mechanical engineering techs may pursue courses in fluid mechanics, mechanical design, and thermodynamics. After completing the 2-two year associate degree programs, one may continue education at the four year colleges.

Job Requirements

Though most of the employers prefer to hire graduates from two year associate degree programs, one can also pursue formal apprenticeship programs which combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. It takes between 2 to 4 years to complete such apprenticeship programs. A mechanical engineering tech can even avail voluntary certification programs offered by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies. Since mechanical engineering techs help in designing, creativity is essential. It is also necessary for them to make detailed drawings of the equipments that are used in a machine such as nuts, screws, gears, and bolts. Good communication skills are extremely important as well. In addition, the ability to work well in a team is beneficial.

Nature of Work

Most of the mechanical engineering techs work in manufacturing of transportation equipment, computer and electronic equipment, and machinery manufacturing industries. Some work in technical, scientific, and professional service industries, in design and development, or in production. Mechanical engineering techs can also supervise other workers. Besides, some prefer working as technical writers, whereas others work in technical sales. Mechanical engineering techs generally work under various conditions. While some spend their time at a drawing board, others can work in a foundry, machine shop, die-casting room, and in other manufacturing areas. A mechanical engineering tech specializing in production also needs to be comfortable working night shifts.

Mechanical Engineering Techs Jobs and Outlook

As per the statistics of 2007, the field of Mechanical Engineering was around 46,230 jobs for techs in the US. The job market is expected to grow by 7% in the next ten years. The highest levels of employment are offered in the following industries:

• Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing
• Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services
• Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing
• Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing
• Scientific Research and Development Services

The mean hourly wage of a mechanical engineering tech is $23.70, and the average annual earnings is around $49,290.

Job Numbers and Growth

Mechanical engineering techs nationally number 48,000. The unemployment level for workers is low, compared to other occupations. About 3% of employees were unemployed recently.

Area Job Conditions

Mechanical engineering techs are relatively common in Niles (Michigan), Blacksburg (Virginia), and Lowell (Massachusetts). They are rarer in Sacramento (California), Las Vegas (Nevada), and Fort Lauderdale (Florida).

Workers are paid highest in Lafayette (Indiana), Bakersfield (California), and Oxnard (California), and lowest in El Paso (Texas), Kennewick (Washington), and Billings (Montana).

Training and Education

Employees are generally expected to have an associate degree. About 18% of mechanical engineering techs hold a bachelor's degree or better. Currently 54% of workers have some college education, though not a degree. About 27% of employees were able to get their jobs with a high-school diploma. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.

Part-Time Work and Self-Employment

About 6% of mechanical engineering techs work less than full-time. In 1% of the cases, workers work for themselves.

Mechanical Engineering Techs by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)

In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.

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