Description
Apply theory and principles of mechanical engineering to modify, develop, test, or adjust machinery and equipment under direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.
Interests
- Realistic
- Investigative
- Conventional
Work Values
- Support
- Working Conditions
- Relationships
Work Styles
- Attention to Detail
- Analytical Thinking
- Dependability
- Initiative
- Integrity
Tasks
- 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.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Detailed Work Activities
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- 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.
- Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Technology Skills
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Presentation software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
- Industrial control software
Abilities
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Information Ordering
- Near Vision
- Deductive Reasoning
Skills
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Complex Problem Solving
- Speaking
Knowledge
- Engineering and Technology
- Mechanical
- Design
- 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
Certificate name
Autodesk Certified Associate in CAD for Mechanical DesignCertifying Organization
Autodesk, Inc.
Type
Product/Equipment
Certificate name
PMMI Mechatronics: Mechanical Components 2Certifying Organization
Packaging Machinery Manufacturing Institute
Type
Core
Certificate name
Fluid Power Master TechnicianCertifying Organization
International Fluid Power Society
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
SACA Certified Industry 4.0 Production Systems Specialist IICertifying Organization
Smart Automation Certification Alliance
Type
Core
Certificate name
Fluid Power Industrial Hydraulic TechnicianCertifying Organization
International Fluid Power Society
Type
Specialty
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 Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $60,778 |
| Median (50%) | $71,376 |
| High (90%) | $111,814 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $69,260 |
| Mid Level | $85,411 |
| Senior Level | $94,752 |
| Expert Level | $110,201 |
Employability
There are currently 39,900 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 40,700 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 2%.
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 2%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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