Mechanical Engineering Technician

Typical Salary

£18,000 To £40,000

Typical Hours

40 to 42 a week

evenings / weekends on shifts

How To Become a Mechanical Engineering Technician

You can get into this job through:

a university course
a college course
an apprenticeship

College / University

You can do a foundation degree or higher national diploma in mechanical engineering.

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science

1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma

You can take a college course, which would teach you some of the skills needed for the job. Relevant courses include:

Level 2 Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
Level 2 Diploma in Engineering Technology
Level 3 Extended Diploma in Mechanical Engineering

2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through an advanced apprenticeship in maintenance and operations engineering or engineering technician.

5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
knowledge of engineering science and technology
maths knowledge
design skills and knowledge
the ability to work well with your hands
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
the ability to work well with others
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day tasks may include:

drawing up plans for new ideas, using computer-aided design (CAD) software
investigating and testing ideas to improve existing systems and solve problems
making new parts
installing and testing instruments and machinery
carrying out preventative maintenance
identifying and repairing faults
meeting performance and safety targets

Working Environment

You could work in a factory or in an office.

Your working environment may be noisy and outdoors some of the time.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career Path & Progression

With experience, you could become a supervisor or project manager, or specialise in areas like CAD design or quality control.

You could also qualify as an engineer by completing a degree in mechanical engineering.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Further information

You'll find more details about careers and training through the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and Tomorrow's Engineers.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.