[Site name]

Mechanical engineering technician

Also called engineering test supervisor, engineering technical manager, engineering technical apprentice

Mechanical engineering technicians provide technical support to mechanical engineers in producing and manufacturing mechanical machinery. They help make designs and adjustments, and perform tests. They also develop layouts and drawings, collate and interpret data and write reports.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospectsShortage in 9 countries now. 27 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Science and engineering associate professionalsWhat does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,600 (Bulgaria) to €6,500 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Science and engineering associate professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually post-secondary or a short degree4 in 10 have a degree. 6 in 10 train through vocational routes.Science and engineering associate professionalsWill AI change it?Very littleLevel 1 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Mechanical engineering technicians · ILO

What you'd do

Mechanical engineering technicians · ILO
  • Providing technical assistance in research on and development of machines and mechanical installations, facilities and components, or testing prototypes
  • Designing and preparing layouts of machines and mechanical installations, facilities and components according to the specifications given
  • Preparing detailed estimates of quantities and costs of materials and labour required for manufacture and installation according to the specifications given
  • Monitoring technical aspects of manufacture, utilization, maintenance and repair of machines and mechanical installations, facilities and components to ensure satisfactory performance and compliance with specifications and regulations
  • Developing and monitoring the implementation of safety standards and procedures for marine survey work in relation to ships' hulls, equipment and cargoes
  • Assembling and installing new and modified mechanical assemblies, components, machine tools and controls, and hydraulic power systems
  • Conducting tests of mechanical systems, collecting and analysing data and assembling and installing mechanical assemblies in support of mechanical engineers
  • Ensuring that mechanical engineering designs and finished work are within specifications, regulations and contract provisions
Liaise with engineersRead engineering drawingsAdjust engineering designsAnalyse test dataDefine part requirements+ 2 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Constant contact with people
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

9 EU countries are short of mechanical engineering technicians now, and a typical number of jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as science and engineering associate professionals in the EU
7.4m7.3m7.49m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
142,000 new jobs 1,835,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Science and engineering associate professionals27
All jobs29
Right now
9 of 27 countries report a shortage of mechanical engineering technicians, 4 a surplus.
Mechanical engineering technicians · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,600 a month (Bulgaria) to €6,500 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among technicians and associate professionals in the EU, women earn 16% less per hour than men. Technicians and associate professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually post-secondary or a short degree

Post-secondary training or a short degree in mechanics and metal trades is the usual route.

Highest qualification of science and engineering associate professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 41%Vocational 43%General secondary 7%Basic schooling 9%
Field that teaches it
Mechanics and metal trades
Vocational route, EU
6 in 10 trainees in this field
Engineering graduates in a matching job
73% in the EU

949 institutions in the EU offer engineering bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Very little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.26 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 8 tasks
Preparing detailed estimates of quantities and costs of materials and labour required for manufacture and installation according to the specifications given0.41
Ensuring that mechanical engineering designs and finished work are within specifications, regulations and contract provisions0.31
Designing and preparing layouts of machines and mechanical installations, facilities and components according to the specifications given0.28
Providing technical assistance in research on and development of machines and mechanical installations, facilities and components, or testing prototypes0.28
Monitoring technical aspects of manufacture, utilization, maintenance and repair of machines and mechanical installations, facilities and components to ensure satisfactory performance and compliance with specifications and regulations0.26
Developing and monitoring the implementation of safety standards and procedures for marine survey work in relation to ships' hulls, equipment and cargoes0.25
Conducting tests of mechanical systems, collecting and analysing data and assembling and installing mechanical assemblies in support of mechanical engineers0.18
Assembling and installing new and modified mechanical assemblies, components, machine tools and controls, and hydraulic power systems0.14

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for mechanical engineering technicians. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).