Mechanical Engineering Technician
What is the work like?
Mechanical engineering technicians, also known as mechanical fitters or installers, design, build, operate and service plant machinery and parts. They use a number of different skills in their work, depending on the job, for instance welding or CNC machining.
As a mechanical engineering technician, you can work in many industries, for example:
- manufacturing – building engine and gear components, maintaining conveyor and packaging equipment, and servicing robotic machinery on production lines
- power and processing – designing and making industrial plant equipment, such as valves and pumps for utility companies
- building services – servicing lifts and escalators, and installing heating and air conditioning systems
- transport – repairing mechanical parts on rail engines and signalling equipment.
Tasks common to all industries can include:
- drawing up plans for new ideas, using computer aided design (CAD) software
- investigating and testing ideas to improve existing systems or to overcome machinery or process problems
- making parts, and installing, testing and adjusting instruments and machinery to make sure they are running smoothly, safely and meeting performance targets
- carrying out preventative maintenance, identifying faults in equipment and machinery and repairing them.
With experience, you could take on responsibility for supervising craftspeople, and production planning, purchasing, estimating and quality control duties.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You may be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship scheme with an engineering, manufacturing or transport operating company. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. To find out more, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
To get onto an Apprenticeship, you may need four or five GCSEs (A-C) in subjects such as maths, science, English, and design and technology. Some employers may require one or two A levels in maths and science or equivalent qualifications.
Alternatively, you could take a qualification at college, which would teach you some of the skills required for this job. Courses include:
- BTEC National Certificate and Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
- BTEC National Certificate and Diploma in Operations & Maintenance Engineering (Mechanical)
- City & Guilds Certificate in Engineering (2800).
Check with the colleges for their entry requirements to these courses.
See the websites for the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, SEMTA and Women into Science, Engineering and Construction for more information about engineering as a career. The Engineering Training Council (Northern Ireland) also has careers and course information for that area.
What further training and development can I do?
You could take on-the-job NVQ qualifications, depending on the area you work in. Awards include:
- Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering levels 2 and 3
- Engineering Maintenance and Installation (Mechanical) Level 2
- Engineering Maintenance (Mechanical) Level 3
- Engineering Maintenance (Lift Service/Lift Repair/Escalators) levels 2 and 3
- Process Engineering Maintenance levels 2 and 3
- Maintaining Plant and Systems (Mechanical) Level 3
- Mechanical Engineering Services (options in Heating and Ventilation, Plumbing or Refrigeration and Air Conditioning) levels 2 and 3.
You could also take higher-level qualifications like a BTEC HNC/HND or degree in mechanical engineering. With experience, you could register with the Engineering Council to gain EngTech status for professional development purposes.
Where can I go for more information?
2nd FloorWeston House
246 High Holborn
London
WC1B 7EX
Tel: 020 3206 0408
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0JT
Tel: 0800 282167
20-24 York Street
Belfast
BT15 1AQ
Tel: 028 9032 9878
Westminster
London
SW1H 9JJ
Tel: 020 7222 7899
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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Manufacturing Systems Engineer
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- 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.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Your working week would be around 37 to 40 hours, Monday to Friday. If you are in factory production, you are likely to work shifts and have on-call duties.
Your workplace conditions could range from a quiet office, for example for CAD work, to a noisy factory production line, carrying out essential maintenance. Some of your work may be on outdoor sites.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- practical and technical skills
- ability in maths, science and IT
- good communication skills
- an understanding of engineering drawings and principles
- the ability to work methodically and precisely
- the ability to manage a varied workload in an efficient manner
- good problem-solving skills
- teamworking skills.
What opportunities are there?
You can find work as a mechanical engineering technician across a wide range of industries. The main employers include local and central government, the armed services, manufacturers in all sectors, and public utilities, such as water, gas, and electricity.
Your career development options might include taking on supervisory and management duties. You may also have the chance to specialise in a particular area of the job, for instance computer aided design work. If you take further training, you could eventually qualify as a mechanical engineer, which would open up more opportunities.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading: (links open in new window)
SCENTA
JustEngineers.net
The Engineer Online
Engineering Jobs Network
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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