Architecture & Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Also called: Engineering Laboratory Technician (Engineering Lab Technician), Engineering Technical Analyst, Engineering Technician (Engineering Tech), Engineering Technologist
US median pay
$74,510
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+1.3%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
3,100
36,900 employed
Typical entry education
Associate's degree
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
Apply theory and principles of mechanical engineering to modify, develop, test, or adjust machinery and equipment under direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.
What they do day to day
- 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.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Complex Problem Solving3.6/5
- Operations Monitoring3.5/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.4/5
- Systems Analysis3.2/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.2/5
- Time Management3.1/5
- Systems Evaluation3.1/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
Knowledge
- Engineering and Technology4.2/5
- Mechanical4.1/5
- Design4.0/5
- Mathematics3.7/5
- English Language3.5/5
- Computers and Electronics3.4/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): Associate's degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree37%
- Post-secondary certificate33%
- Associate's degree14%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.