Mechanical engineering technician jobs

Technicians that specialize in mechanical engineering ensure that a wide variety of tools, machines, and other types of equipment operate well. This includes the design, production, testing, installation, and adjustment of the equipment, as well as its ongoing maintenance. They might be employed in the areas of manufacturing, power generation, building services, or transportation.

The Work Being Done

It's possible that:

employing computer-aided design (CAD) tools to work on developing new designs.

putting together testing equipment as well as functional models

In the manufacturing business, installing, testing, configuring, and modifying the equipment that regulates production is a key responsibility. This may include working with robotic machines.

setting up and carrying out routine repair and maintenance schedules for various pieces of equipment and machinery

locating and fixing problems in a wide variety of pieces of machinery, such as the mechanical components of elevators, escalators, and even trains.

monitoring the production process and ensuring that all things, whether they are minute components or massive components for power plants, have been manufactured to the appropriate standard

searching for new and better methods to enhance production processes

preparing production schedules, shopping for resources, or doing quality control are examples of such activities.

Pay

The following numbers should only be used as a reference. The actual pay rates may vary based on the following factors:

where you make a living

the magnitude of the business or organization that you are employed by

the level of competition for the job.

It's possible for a modern apprentice to begin their career at the national minimum wage (NMW). Those who are under the age of 19 or who are 19 or older but are still in the first year of their apprenticeship are eligible to receive the apprentice rate of £4.81 per hour (1 April 2022). It's possible that some employers pay their apprentices more than others.

Beginning annual earnings for certified technicians in the field of mechanical engineering typically fall somewhere in the region of £19,000 to $24,000. This may increase to around £35,000 per year with sufficient expertise.

Conditions

You might be assigned to work in a workshop, laboratory, factory, or office. The circumstances might be unclean and loud, depending on the industry, but in certain situations they are likely to be one or the other.

When working in a factory or a workshop, it is customary to wear overalls as well as other protective gear, such as safety glasses, protective headgear, and boots.

You might be required to work rotating shifts, put in extra hours, or be on call outside of typical business hours.

It's possible that you'll need to travel in order to see customers, as well as perform repairs and maintenance.

Getting In

While still enrolled in Secondary 5 or Secondary 6, you have the opportunity to finish the Engineering Foundation Apprenticeship (FA). The prerequisites for entry into colleges might vary, but in general, you will need three courses with a National 5 rating, including English and Mathematics. Additionally, several universities require students to take Physics.

You could qualify for entry if you complete a Modern Apprenticeship in the engineering field. In order to get admission, you would ordinarily be required to have three courses at the National 4 or 5 level. These topics will often include English, Mathematics, and a Science or Technology subject.

There will be a test of your aptitude that you have to take.

You also have the option to first get a certification in mechanical engineering or another field that is comparable. Courses like NC, NQ, HNC, and HND are all appropriate options. You require certain topics at the National 5 level in order to enroll in an NC or NQ program. You require between three and five Highers to enroll in an HNC or HND program.

English, mathematics, and at least one scientific or technology subject should generally be at the National 5 or Higher level for you to qualify.

You may be able to qualify by taking one of the other available training paths.

Technicians in mechanical engineering often find employment in manufacturing and engineering firms, in addition to other types of businesses that rely heavily on equipment. There are opportunities for employment in a diverse assortment of fields, such as the provision of water, gas, and electricity; the operation of trains; the provision of defense and armed forces; the production of chemicals and plastics; and the processing of food.

In addition, there are chances available with governmental organizations, such as county governments and the National Health Service (NHS).

What are the Prerequisites?

You are going to need to have:

a combination of scientific, technical, and practical expertise

a strategy that is precise, methodical, and systematic in its execution

solid mathematics and IT skills

talents in verbal and nonverbal communication

a robust awareness and acceptance of one's obligations

a consciousness of the importance of health and safety concerns.

It is necessary for you to be able to:

comprehend technical drawings

pay attention to detail

solve issues

Prepare your job to fulfill the deadlines that have been set.

alone, as well as jointly with others in a group

do tasks when under stress and adhere to time constraints.

Training

A Modern Apprenticeship is a kind of combined on-the-job and off-the-job training that ultimately results in the attainment of an SVQ at the SCQF Level 6 level.

There are Skill-Based Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) available in areas such as Performing Engineering Operations, Process Engineering Maintenance (Mechanical), and Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering. Which one you choose is determined on the job that you accomplish.

If you begin by completing a course at a college, the next step would be to get employment with an organization and then pursue more training to earn SVQs.

You may work toward registering with the Engineering Council as an Engineering Technician (EngTech) if you have completed an apprenticeship, a course at a college, and further training with your job. This can be done when you have completed these steps.

Even if you do not pursue either of the training paths described above, it is possible that you will still be able to get your EngTech certification via one of the other recognized pathways. You may get further information about these alternate paths from the Engineering Council or from the professional engineering organization that is most appropriate to your situation.

You have to demonstrate a willingness to educate yourself on the latest technological developments.

Getting a Grip

After gaining sufficient experience, you can be considered for a supervisory role.

After some time, you could move up into management.

You might go into other fields such as marketing and sales, or even after-sale customer support.

Technicians often operate under the general direction of mechanical engineers who are licensed professionals. Technicians have the potential to advance their careers and become mechanical engineers at higher levels, such as Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and Chartered Engineer, if they pursue further education and training (CEng).

Additional Information

The Engineering Council is responsible for establishing and upholding the standards that apply to the engineering profession in the United Kingdom. It accomplishes this goal by using the services of 35 professional engineering institutes that are Licensed Members of the Engineering Council.

The Sector Skills Council for science, engineering, and manufacturing technologies is known as the Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Alliance (SEMTA).