Technician - Mechanical Engineering (17-3027.00)

Career Family

Architecture & Engineering → Mechanical Engineering Technology

Fit Summary

Realistic (R) + Investigative (I). ISTP/INTJ who like prototypes, fixtures, and tests.

Career Overview

Assist engineers with mechanical builds, test setups, and data collection; create drawings/3D prints; assemble fixtures; run endurance/thermal/vibration tests and document results; support root-cause analysis.

Credential Pathways

Typical Education: Associate’s/applied bachelor’s in mechanical technology; CAD and machining exposure (Job Zone 4).

Pathways: Tech → senior → lab lead → test/design engineer with further study.

Regulatory Moat: Machine safety; pressure/vacuum standards; lifting/rigging protocols.

Alternative Pathways: From machining/maintenance; strong makerspace portfolio.

Environment & Lifestyle

• Work Environment: Labs/shops; some field testing.
• Sensory/Social Load: Moderate—noise, rotating equipment; team coordination.
• Physicality/Fieldwork: Medium—assembly, lifting, hand tools.
• Geographic Anchoring: Manufacturing/tech hubs.
• Remote Amenability: Low to Medium—analysis and drawings can be remote.

Future-Proofing Snapshot

• AI Augmentation Potential: Medium — test automation and data modeling.
• AI Displacement Risk: Low — hands-on builds/tests persist.
• AI New Task Creation: Some — rapid prototyping workflows.
• AI Skill Shift Intensity: Medium — CAD/DAQ/scripting skills.
• Automation Risk Score: Low to Medium.
• Human-Core Score: Strong — craftsmanship and measurement.
• Overall Vulnerability/Resilience: Resilient and broadly applicable.
• Emerging Trends: Additive manufacturing, lightweighting, electrification.

Risks / Watchpoints

• Lab safety hazards
• Tight test deadlines
• Tooling/fixture lead times

Notes on Fit

Good for practical builders who like seeing ideas become hardware.

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