Occupation Details

Many engineering technicians are involved in continuous production for manufacturing industries, where they develop, operate and maintain the mechanical processes that control activities such as mixing raw materials or labelling finished products.

They work in many sectors including:

• Manufacturing: constructing engine and gear compartments, building and maintaining conveyer equipment.
• Power and Processing: designing and making industrial plant machinery.
• Building Services: servicing lifts and escalators.
• Transport: repairing components on rail engines and signalling equipment.

They may begin each job by planning the assembly and production systems, thinking carefully about issues such as materials, costs and efficiency. Some technicians are responsible for purchasing raw materials and parts, and making sure that they are available on time.

Once they have installed the machinery, mechanical engineering technicians monitor production and inspect and test products to make sure they have been correctly manufactured and are capable of performing to the required specification. This may involve calculating and assessing the results of quality control tests.

Mechanical engineering technicians plan and operate maintenance programmes to service machinery, and provide technical guidance in diagnosing and repairing faults in industrial equipment and instruments. Technicians may estimate and cost products, or parts of products, to meet customers' requirements. Mechanical engineering technicians support the work of engineers across a very wide range of activities.

For example, they may help engineers to design and develop cars that are more economical on fuel, test jet engines, develop agricultural equipment or maintain the systems used on offshore oil and gas platforms. They help to develop and test the latest information and telecommunications technology, including the Internet, mobile telephones and games consoles.

Some engineering technicians may use their knowledge to help sales and marketing departments. Mechanical engineering technicians may lead teams made up of other technicians and craft workers.

The following is a list of the most commonly reported tasks and activities for this occupation

The following is a list of the most commonly reported skills used in this occupation.

You must have strong technical and practical skills. You will need to develop a logical, accurate and methodical approach to your work.  
 
Technicians also need strong communication skills, to work with other technicians and engineers. Technicians need the ability to read and interpret technical drawings and plans, and to explain them to others. You must be able to work methodically and precisely. You must have an aptitude for maths, science and IT.  
 
Mechanical engineering is a very fast-changing area; it is at the leading edge of research and technology. You must therefore be willing to learn and develop new knowledge, to keep pace with advances in ideas and technology.  
 
You may be responsible for staff, so the ability to lead and motivate others is an advantage.  
 
Your work could involve contact with customers, so you will need the ability to explain products and technology clearly to people who may not have technical knowledge.

The Institutes of Technology offer Higher Certificate and Degree programmes in Mechanical Engineering. Courses are also available at PLC level from many colleges of Further Education and private colleges.

To apply for the Engineering Technician title, you will need an accredited level 6 qualification and three years post graduate experience. 

A list of Engineering Technician accredited programmes is available here from Engineers Ireland

Last Updated: October, 2014

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Mechanical Engineering Technician - from: N.C.S. [UK]