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What does a Mechanical Engineering Technician do?

Dee Saale
Dee Saale
Dee Saale
Dee Saale

A mechanical engineering technician works under the supervision of a mechanical engineer. She aids the engineer in the design, construction, maintenance, and modifications of a variety of machines, tools, consumer products, and mechanical equipment. This technician can be employed in a variety of industries, similar to the mechanical engineer. They can work on anything from car engines to power saws or elevators to nuclear reactors. Large scale equipment or delicate tools can all become the focus of a skilled mechanical engineering technician.

One of the large roles that a mechanical engineering technician fulfills is that of the product tester. For example, she may set up the equipment, instrumentation, and monitors for crash testing in cars. In addition, she may sketch and layout what she foresees a test will show. Through testing, she can help determine what needs to be changed, removed, or added to make a piece of equipment better, more effective, or more cost-efficient.

A mechanical engineering technician  aids an engineer in the design, construction, maintenance, and modifications of a variety of machines, tools, consumer products, and mechanical equipment.
A mechanical engineering technician aids an engineer in the design, construction, maintenance, and modifications of a variety of machines, tools, consumer products, and mechanical equipment.

Recording and analyzing data are both important duties for this type of technician. Through analysis, she can determine the cost of a particular product. Next, she can compare that cost to the practical value of the product, machine, or tool through careful mathematic calculations. Other estimates include the cost of labor, the life of the equipment, and the space that is available in the plant to develop and produce the new machine or tool.

Some mechanical engineers study patterns of injuries in car crashes in order to design safer vehicles.
Some mechanical engineers study patterns of injuries in car crashes in order to design safer vehicles.

Sketching new machines, parts, or tools, assembling new mechanical devices, and writing reports are other duties of a mechanical engineer. Specifically, if she is planning for production, she must have the layouts and sketches ready for the supervising mechanical engineer to review. Sometimes, a sketch may be of a single screw, bolt, or nut – attention to detail is a must. The layouts will give details of the assembly process and of the components that will be manufactured.

Some mechanical engineering technicians work closely with instrumentation, both in design and operation.
Some mechanical engineering technicians work closely with instrumentation, both in design and operation.

Occasionally, a mechanical engineering technician will focus only on writing reports. She may decide to be her own boss and write technical articles for industry-related magazines and journals, as well. Many private, public, and government agencies need people who are knowledgeable on the subtleties of mechanical engineering and who can also write clear, concise, and informative articles.

A mechanical engineering technician may observe, study and document the current processes of his company.
A mechanical engineering technician may observe, study and document the current processes of his company.

Specialization is popular for a mechanical engineering technician, allowing her to focus on one small area that is part of a larger industry. Biomedical equipment, products manufacturing, measurement and control, solar energy, energy resource technology, turbo machinery, and engineering materials and technology often peak the interest in technicians wanting to specialize. Typically, technicians will gain specialized training from engineers who have also focused on the same area of expertise.

Dee Saale
Dee Saale

Dee is a freelance writer based in Colorado. She has a B.A. in English Literature, as well as a law degree. Dee is especially interested in topics relating to medicine, legal issues, and home improvement, which are her specialty when contributing to WiseGEEK.

Learn more...
Dee Saale
Dee Saale

Dee is a freelance writer based in Colorado. She has a B.A. in English Literature, as well as a law degree. Dee is especially interested in topics relating to medicine, legal issues, and home improvement, which are her specialty when contributing to WiseGEEK.

Learn more...

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    • A mechanical engineering technician  aids an engineer in the design, construction, maintenance, and modifications of a variety of machines, tools, consumer products, and mechanical equipment.
      By: Marzky Ragsac Jr.
      A mechanical engineering technician aids an engineer in the design, construction, maintenance, and modifications of a variety of machines, tools, consumer products, and mechanical equipment.
    • Some mechanical engineers study patterns of injuries in car crashes in order to design safer vehicles.
      By: lupoalb68
      Some mechanical engineers study patterns of injuries in car crashes in order to design safer vehicles.
    • Some mechanical engineering technicians work closely with instrumentation, both in design and operation.
      By: Sergio Di Giovanni
      Some mechanical engineering technicians work closely with instrumentation, both in design and operation.
    • A mechanical engineering technician may observe, study and document the current processes of his company.
      By: uwimages
      A mechanical engineering technician may observe, study and document the current processes of his company.
    • Calibration technicians who work in manufacturing facilities often have a background in mechanical engineering.
      By: Kadmy
      Calibration technicians who work in manufacturing facilities often have a background in mechanical engineering.
    • Some mechanical engineering professionals design mechanical systems for homes and commercial structures.
      By: auremar
      Some mechanical engineering professionals design mechanical systems for homes and commercial structures.