Career Suggestion

Mechanical engineering technician

Mechanical engineering technicians design, install and repair industrial machinery and parts.

Average salary (a year)

£27000.0 to £47000.0 (starter to experienced)

Typical hours (a week)

37.0 to 42.0

You could work

evenings / weekends on shifts

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship

University

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

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 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

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
  • university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

College

You can take a college course which would teach you some of the skills needed to become a mechanical engineering technician.

Relevant courses include:

  • mechanical engineering
  • engineering technology
  • T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control
  • T Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
  • funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
  • search for courses|/find-a-course

Apprenticeship

You may be able to start in a junior or assistant role by doing an Engineering and Manufacturing Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship.

You could also apply to do a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, such as:

  • Engineering Technician
  • Engineering Maintenance Technician
  • Mechatronics Maintenance Technician
  • Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician

Foundation apprenticeship

You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.

If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship

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

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

More Information

Professional and Industry Bodies

You could join the Institution of Mechanical Engineers for professional development opportunities and to build up your contacts in the industry.

Further Information

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

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 work well with others
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Day-to-day tasks

As a mechanical engineering technician, you could:

  • use computer aided design (CAD) software to create technical plans
  • test ideas to improve existing systems and solve problems
  • install and test instruments and machinery
  • find and repair faults
  • service machinery parts like motors, gearboxes and turbines
  • meet 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.

With experience, you could manage a team or a project. You might also specialise in different areas, like power generation, product design, marine engineering or robotics.

You could work towards engineering technician (EngTech) status , which recognises your skills and expertise in the profession.

You could take further training to qualify as an engineer by completing a degree in mechanical engineering.

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