Mechanical engineering technician

#127Changing

3/5

Key facts

+4.7%jobs, 2025 to 2035

United States

Employment in this job is holding up or growing in the United States, but it is highly exposed to AI. AI exposure: very low according to the ILO, high according to the BLS. Employment change in the United States by 2035: +4.7% (BLS). Working well with AI is becoming an asset.

The job

Mechanical engineering technicians (ISCO 3115). Mechanical engineering technicians perform technical tasks to aid in mechanical engineering research and in the design, manufacture, assembly, construction, operation, maintenance and repair of machines, components and mechanical equipment.

Page built from official classifications (ILO, ESCO); figures cover all the jobs grouped here.

292 job titles linked to this page

Titles from the European ESCO classification. They are also used for search.

aero spatial technologist
aeronautical technologist
aeronautics engineering technician
aeroplane engine inspection engineer
aeroplane engine inspection technician
aeroplane engine inspector
aeroplane engine tester
aeroplane engineering technician
aeroplane stress analyst
aeroplane technologist
aerospace engineering technician
air conditioning technician
air system engineer
aircraft body stress analyst
aircraft engine inspector
aircraft engine tester
aircraft engineering technician
aircraft technologist
airframe stress analyst
airplane engine inspector
airplane engine tester
assistant in optomechanical engineering
automotive design checker
automotive engineering technician
aviation stress analyst
boat engine assembler
boat engine builder
boat engine inspector
boat engine test engineer
boat engine test technician
boat engine tester
boat engineering technician
bus engine inspection technician
bus design checker
bus engine tester
bus engineering technician
butt welding engineer
car design checker
car engine inspection technician
car engine tester
car engineering technician
cargo surveyor
cargo vessel engineering technician
carriage engine inspector
carriage inspector
carriage supervisor
circuit assembly engineer
circuit assembly inspector
circuit assembly supervisor
civilian aircraft engine inspector
civilian aircraft engine tester
coach design checker
coach engine tester
coach engineering technician
construction welder inspector
data collection technician
depot repair inspector
diesel engine inspection technician
diesel engine tester
dual fuel engine inspector
dual fuel engine tester
electric arc welding engineer
electric engine inspection technician
electric engine tester
electric motor inspector
electric motor tester
electric spot welding engineer
engine inspection engineer
engine inspection technician
engine inspector
engine tester
engineering technical apprentice
engineering technical manager
engineering test supervisor
engineering welding inspector
engineering welding fabricator inspector
equipment and vehicle technician
flash welding engineer
four-stroke diesel engine inspector
four-stroke diesel engine tester
gas engine tester
gas engine inspection technician
gas system engineer
gas turbine engine inspector
gas turbine engine tester
heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration engineering technician
helicopter engine inspector
helicopter engine tester
hull and machinery surveyor
HVAC project technician
HVAC systems technician
HVACR technician
hybrid engine inspection technician
hybrid engine tester
industrial maintenance supervisor
inland water ship inspector
inland waterway vessel inspector
inspector of rolling stock
jet aircraft engine inspector
jet aircraft engine tester
lead maintenance operative
leading maintenance machinist
light aircraft engine inspector
light aircraft engine tester
liquid natural gas engine inspector
liquid natural gas engine tester
LNG engine inspector
LNG engine tester
locomotive engine inspector
locomotive engine tester
lorry design checker
lorry engine tester
lorry engineering technician
machine setter supervisor
maintenance and assembly team leader
maintenance machine adjuster supervisor
maintenance machine and assembly maintenance team leader
maintenance machine charge hand
maintenance machine shop manager
maintenance machine shop supervisor
maintenance machine team leader
maintenance machining and assembly manager
maintenance machining and assembly supervisor
maintenance machining department supervisor
maintenance machining supervisor
maintenance work supervisor
marine engine builder
marine engine inspector
marine engine test engineer
marine engine test technician
marine engine tester
marine engineering technician
marine engineering technologist
marine steam engine inspector
marine steam engine tester
marine surveyor
marine surveyors
marine technologist
marine vessel engineering technician
marine warranty surveyor
maritime ship inspector
material stress analyst
material stress-strain analyst
materials analyst
materials stress analyst
materials stress analyst material analyst
materials stress technician
mechanical engineering inspector
mechanical engineering system inspector
mechanical engineering technical operator
mechanical engineering technician
mechatronic device technician
mechatronic device technologist
mechatronics engineering technician
mechatronics technician
mechatronics technologist
military aircraft engine inspector
military aircraft engine tester
motor vehicle design checker
motor vehicle engine inspector
motor vehicle engine tester
motorcycle design checker
motorcycle engineering technician
multiple unit engine inspector
multiple unit engine tester
nuclear reactor inspector
nuclear reactor tester
optomechanical engineering assistant
optomechanical engineering technician
optomechanical technician
optomechanical technologist
outboard motor inspector
outboard motor tester
petrol engine inspection technician
petrol engine tester
piston aircraft engine inspector
piston aircraft engine tester
plane engine inspector
plane engine tester
pleasure craft engineering technician
pneumatic air system engineering inspector
pneumatic engineer
pneumatic engineering system inspector
pneumatic engineering technician
pneumatic systems installer
Pneumatic vacuum system engineer
production maintenance inspector
production engineering co-ordinator
production engineering coordinator
production engineering inspection inspector
production engineering inspection mechanic
production engineering inspection supervisor
production engineering instrument mechanic
production engineering maintenance co-ordinator
production engineering mechanic
production engineering supervisor
production engineering technician
production engineering test inspector
production engineering testing coordinator
production line welding inspector
rail car inspector
rail depot repair inspector
rail rolling stock assembly operator
rail vehicle engine inspector
rail vehicle engine tester
rail vehicle repair inspector
rail workshop repair inspector
railcar engine inspector
railcar engine tester
railway carriage and wagon inspector
railway carriage and wagon supervisor
railway depot repair inspector
railway engineering apprentice
railway inspector
railway stock electronic equipment installer
railway stock engineer
railway stock equipment assembler
railway vehicle engine inspector
railway vehicle engine tester
railway workshop repair inspector
resistance welding inspector
robotic welding engineer
rolling stock assembly operator
rolling stock electronic equipment installer
rolling stock engine inspector
rolling stock engine tester
rolling stock engineering apprentice
rolling stock engineering technician
rolling stock equipment assembler
rolling stock inspector
rolling stock repair inspector
rolling stock supervisor
rotary aircraft engine inspector
rotary aircraft engine tester
sheet metal welding inspector
sheet-metal welding engineer
ship engineering technician
spacecraft engineering technician
spacecraft technologist
spaceship engineering technician
spaceship technologist
stitch welding engineer
stress analyst
stress technician
stress tester
stress-strain analyst
structural engineer
structure engineer
submarine engineering technician
submarine engineering technologist
submarine technologist
supervisor of rolling stock
tack welding inspector
technician in mechatronic devices
technician in mechatronics
technician in optomechanical systems
technologist in mechatronic devices
technologist in mechatronics
technologist in optical systems
technologist in optomechanical systems
traction engineering technician
truck design checker
truck engine inspection technician
truck engine tester
truck engineering technician
two-stroke diesel engineer inspector
two-stroke diesel engineer tester
ultrasonic metal welder engineer
vehicle engine inspection technician
vehicle production design checker
vehicle production engineering technician
vessel engine inspector
vessel engine tester
vessel engineering technician
vessel engineering technologist
vessel technologist
wagon engine inspector
welder-fabricator inspector
welding inspector
welding assessor
welding assurance inspector
welding checker
welding control inspector
welding engineer inspector
welding examiner
welding inspector
welding inspectors
welding overseer
welding supervisor
workshop repair inspector
yacht engineering technician
yacht and small craft surveyor

Training

CareerOneStop Apprenticeship.gov O*NET OnLine

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Gauges

Risk 3/5 · Moderate

AI exposureHighBLS AI exposure category "high" (2026), higher than the ILO 2025 index (very low)

Employment outlookGrowthBLS, 2025-2035 projections (Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians; Aerospace engineers; Transportation inspectors (+8))

Hiring difficultyNot availableNo US indicator measures hiring difficulty job by job

PayHighBLS, 2025 median annual wage: $89,611

EntryMediumBLS, typical education needed for entry

No US indicator measures hiring difficulty job by job: this gauge stays empty. How countries are compared

Sources

AI exposure categories and employment projections, 2025-2035 (XLSX file)Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States · August 2026 · official statistics
Generative AI and Jobs: a refined global index of occupational exposureInternational Labour Organization and NASK · May 2025 · large survey
ESCO, European classification of skills, competences, qualifications and occupations (job titles and O*NET crosswalk)European Commission · version 1.2 · official statistics
Jobs in 2030: projections by occupational family (summary table)Dares and France Stratégie · March 2022 · official statistics
Labour needs survey (BMO) 2026France Travail · 2026 · large survey
EURES report on labour shortages and surpluses 2025, annexEuropean Labour Authority · June 2026 · official statistics

Checked on 27 October 2026.