Mechanical engineering technicians, also known as mechanical fitters or installers, design, construct, operate and maintain plant and machinery, and the machinery's mechanical components. Mechanical engineering technicians work in many sectors, for example:

• manufacturing – constructing engine and gear components; building and maintaining conveyor and packaging equipment; and servicing robotic machinery on a production line
• power and processing – designing and making industrial plant machinery, such as valves and pumps for utility companies
• building services – servicing lifts and escalators, and installing heating and air conditioning systems
• transport – repairing mechanical components on rail engines and signalling equipment.

Mechanical engineering technicians work on projects with other engineering craftspeople and technicians under the supervision of an engineer. They cover a variety of skill areas, including:

• welding
• hydraulics
• pneumatics
• fluid mechanics
• computer-aided design
• CNC machining
• measurement and inspection.

Increasingly, they need a broad knowledge of other disciplines such as electronics and electrical engineering. Typical duties include:

Design - using computer-aided design (CAD) software to draw up plans for new prototypes, or to investigate potential performance enhancements by modifying existing designs.

Research and development – investigating and testing solutions to overcome machinery or process problems.

Construction, installation and operation – fabricating components, and installing, testing and adjusting instruments and machinery to ensure they are running smoothly and meeting performance targets.

Repair and maintenance – carrying out preventative maintenance schedules, diagnosing and fixing faults in equipment and machinery.

Technicians may also have responsibility for supervising craftspeople, production planning, purchasing, estimating and quality control duties.

Hours and Environment

Mechanical engineering technicians work 37 to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Technicians in factory production are likely to work shifts and be on-call.

Work environments can vary from a quiet office, if involved in CAD work, to a noisy factory production line, carrying out essential maintenance. Some work may be on outdoor sites.

Skills and Interests

To be a mechanical engineering technician, you should:

• have good practical and technical skills
• have an aptitude for maths, science and IT
• have good communication skills
• understand engineering drawings and principles
• be able to work methodically and precisely
• be able to manage a varied workload in an efficient manner
• have good problem-solving skills
• work well as part of a team
• have initiative and be able to take responsibility.

Entry

If you are aged under 24, you may be able to apply for an apprentice technician position with an engineering, manufacturing or transport operating company (see Training section for contacts).

You will need four or five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) in subjects such as maths, science, English, and design and technology. Some employers may require one or two A levels/highers in maths and science or equivalent qualifications.

Alternative qualifications open to all ages include:

• Edexcel (BTEC) National Certificate/Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
• National Certificate/Diploma in Operations & Maintenance Engineering (Mechanical).

City & Guilds also offers a range of courses covering skills required in this role:

• Progression Award in Applying Engineering Principles (6983) levels 1 and 2
• Progression Award in Engineering Maintenance Level 2
• Progression Award in Production Engineering levels 2 and 3
• Certificate in Engineering (2800) Level 3.

These courses are available at local colleges. Check with them for details.

For information about engineering as a career, see the websites for the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, SEMTA and Women into Science and Engineering in Further Information.

In addition, the Engineering Training Council (Northern Ireland) has careers information and a course database for local colleges. See their website in Further Information.

Training

Training is mainly on the job with day or block release to a local college or training provider. There is a range of work-based qualifications available, depending on the field you work in. These include:

• NVQ/SVQ in Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering levels 2 and 3
• NVQ/SVQ Engineering Maintenance and Installation (Mechanical) Level 2
• NVQ Engineering Maintenance (Mechanical) Level 3
• NVQ Engineering Maintenance (Lift Service/Lift Repair/Escalators) levels 2 and 3
• NVQ/SVQ Process Engineering Maintenance levels 2 and 3
• NVQ/SVQ in Maintaining Plant and Systems (Mechanical) Level 3
• NVQ/SVQ in Mechanical Engineering Services (options in Heating and Ventilation, Plumbing or Refrigeration and Air Conditioning) levels 2 and 3.

Technicians already employed or people outside of the industry looking for a route in may continue to study for an Edexcel (BTEC) Higher National Certificate/Diploma in Mechanical Engineering. Degree courses in this field are also widely available at colleges.

For professional development, suitably qualified/experienced mechanical engineering technicians could consider registering with the Engineering Council to attain EngTech status. For more details, see the EngTech website in Further Information.

Apprenticeships may be available for those under the age of 24. In England these are currently Apprenticeships (level 2) and Advanced Apprenticeships (level 3). To find out more about these, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Apprenticeships may be different in other areas. For further information see Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland

Opportunities

There are opportunities for mechanical engineering technicians across a wide range of industries.

Employers include:

• local and central government departments
• the armed services
• manufacturers in all industries
• research and development companies
• public utilities, such as water, gas, and electricity.

There are also opportunities with manufacturers in materials development and design, marketing, selling and customer support.

Progression routes normally involve taking on supervisory and management duties. There may also be options to specialise in a particular aspect of the role, for instance, CAD work.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

New entrants start between £14,000 and £16,500 a year.
Experienced technicians earn between £18,500 and £23,500.
Senior technicians can earn over £25,000 a year.

Further information

14 Upton Road
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0JT
Tel: 0800 282 167 1 Birdcage Walk
Westminster
London
SW1H 9JJ
Tel: 020 7222 7899 Interpoint
20-24 York Street
Belfast
BT15 1AQ
Tel: 028 9032 9878