DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
17-3027 Mechanical Engineering Technicians
Occupational Description:
Apply theory and principles of mechanical engineering to modify, develop, test, or calibrate machinery and equipment under direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.| Percentiles | |||||||||
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| Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
| Minnesota | 1,560 | 151 | $26.69/hr | $0.59/hr | $18.29/hr | $21.09/hr | $25.86/hr | $32.27/hr | $36.83/hr |
| U S | 44,760 | 895 | $25.94/hr | $0.16/hr | $16.17/hr | $19.95/hr | $25.23/hr | $31.08/hr | $36.89/hr |
| *SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate. | |||||||||
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| Occupation (click title for details) | OES | Projections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Median Wage | % Change 2010 - 2020 | |
| Machinists | 9,660 | $20.89/hr | 13.3% |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | 7,480 | $17.36/hr | 10.2% |
| Model Makers, Metal and Plastic | 160 | $23.28/hr | -1.1% |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | 50 | $39.83/hr | 13.0% |
Tasks for Mechanical Engineering Technicians
- Reviews project instructions and blueprints to ascertain test specifications, procedures, objectives, and tests nature of technical problems, such as redesign.
- Tests equipment, using test devices attached to generator, voltage regulator, or other electrical parts, such as generators or spark plugs.
- Analyzes tests results in relation to design or rated specifications and test objectives and modifies or adjusts equipment to meet specifications.
- Estimates cost factors, including labor and material for purchased and fabricated parts and costs for assembly, testing, and installing.
- Inspects lines and figures for clarity and returns erroneous drawings to designer for correction.
- Prepares parts sketches and writes work orders and purchase requests to be furnished by outside contractors.
- Reads dials and meters to determine amperage, voltage, electrical out and input at specific operating temperature to analyze parts performance.
- Operates drill press, grinders, engine lathe, or other machines to modify parts tested or to fabricate experimental parts for testing.
- Evaluates tool drawing designs by measuring drawing dimensions and comparing with original specifications for form and function, using engineering skills.
- Confers with technicians and submits reports of test results to engineering department and recommends design or material changes.
- Records test procedures and results, numerical and graphical data, and recommendations for changes in product or test methods.
- Drafts detail drawing or sketch for drafting room completion or to request parts fabrication by machine, sheet or wood shops.
- Calculates required capacities for equipment of proposed system to obtain specified performance and submits data to engineering personnel for approval.
- Discusses changes in design, method of manufacture and assembly, and drafting techniques and procedures with staff and coordinates corrections.
- Reviews project instructions and specifications to identify, modify and plan requirements fabrication, assembly and testing.
- Sets up prototype and test apparatus and operates test controlling equipment to observe and record prototype test results.
- Sets up and conducts tests of complete units and components under operational conditions to investigate proposals for improving equipment performance.
- Devises, fabricates, and assembles new or modified mechanical components for products, such as industrial machinery or equipment, and measuring instruments.