Overview
Responsibilities
T-A-S-K
Education
Income & Employability
Video Resources
Related Careers

Description

Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.

Interests

  • Realistic
  • Conventional
  • Investigative

Learn More about Interests

Work Values

  • Support
  • Working Conditions
  • Achievement

Learn More about Work Values

Work Styles

  • Attention to Detail
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Initiative

Learn More about Work Styles

Tasks

  • Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.
  • Produce three-dimensional models, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
  • Lay out and draw schematic, orthographic, or angle views to depict functional relationships of components, assemblies, systems, and machines.
  • Modify and revise designs to correct operating deficiencies or to reduce production problems.
  • Review and analyze specifications, sketches, drawings, ideas, and related data to assess factors affecting component designs and the procedures and instructions to be followed.

Work Activities

  • Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
  • Working with Computers
  • Getting Information
  • Thinking Creatively
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Detailed Work Activities

  • Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
  • Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Technology Skills

  • Computer aided design CAD software
  • Presentation software
  • Graphics or photo imaging software
  • Optical character reader OCR or scanning software
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software

Skills

  • Active Learning
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Mathematics
  • Reading Comprehension

Knowledge

  • Design
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Mechanical
  • Mathematics
  • English Language

Most Common Education Level

The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.

Certificates

Certifying Organization

SOLIDWORKS

Type

Product/Equipment

Certifying Organization

SOLIDWORKS

Type

Product/Equipment

Certificate name

Inventor Certified User

Certifying Organization

Autodesk, Inc.

Type

Product/Equipment

Certifying Organization

Autodesk, Inc.

Type

Product/Equipment

Certifying Organization

SOLIDWORKS

Type

Product/Equipment

Income Percentile

The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.

Income PercentileIncome
Low (10%)$NaN
Median (50%)$NaN
High (90%)$NaN

Income by Experience

This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–7 years), to senior level (8+ years).

ExperienceIncome
Entry Level$50,000
Mid Level$100,000
Senior Level$150,000

Employability

There are currently 50,400 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to decrease to 47,900 positions, reflecting a projected decline of -5%.

The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.

Projected Job Growth of -5%

The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), with ONET® being a registered trademark of USDOL/ETA. Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA; CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA) and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED); and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

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