Mechanical Engineering Technologist  What They Do

Assists mechanical engineers in such activities as generation, transmission, or use of mechanical or fluid energy. Prepares layouts of machinery or equipment or plan the flow of work. May conduct statistical studies or analyze production costs.

This career is part of the Manufacturing cluster Manufacturing Production Process Development pathway.


A person in this career:

  • Interprets engineering sketches, specifications, or drawings.
  • Assists engineers to design, develop, test, or manufacture industrial machinery, consumer products, or other equipment.
  • Designs specialized or customized equipment, machines, or structures.
  • Prepares specifications, designs, or sketches for machines, components, or systems related to the generation, transmission, or use of mechanical or fluid energy.
  • Provides technical support to other employees regarding mechanical design, fabrication, testing, or documentation.
  • Inspects and tests mechanical equipment.
  • Conducts failure analyses, documents results, and recommends corrective actions.
  • Assembles or disassembles complex mechanical systems.
  • Prepares cost and materials estimates or project schedules.
  • Tests machines, components, materials, or products to determine characteristics such as performance, strength, or response to stress.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
  • Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
  • Exposure to pollutants, gases, dust, fumes, odors, poor ventilation, etc.
  • Conditions are very hot (above 90 F) or very cold (under 32 F)
  • Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
  • Exposed to conditions such as high voltage electricity, combustibles, explosives, and chemicals more than once a month
  • Exposed to hazardous equipment such as saws, machinery, or vehicular traffic more than once a month
  • Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
  • Sound and noise levels are loud and distracting
  • Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves standing more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Picking out a particular sound in the presence of other sounds
  • Identifying color and seeing differences in color, including shades and brightness
  • Judging how far away an object is, or which of several objects is closer or farther away
  • Seeing clearly at a distance
  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

  • Regular working hours and limited travel

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer) --
  • Engineer Technical Staff --
  • Engineering Tech --
  • Engineering Technologist --
  • Mechanical Designer --
  • Mechanical Designer/Wind-Chill Administrator --
  • Senior Designer --
  • Senior Process Analyst --
  • Technical Staff Engineer --
  • Tooling Engineering Tech --