Mechanical Engineering Technicians

Employment for mechanical engineering technicians is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all careers through 2028, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Many jobs in design services and manufacturing are being outsourced to foreign countries, where workers receive lower salaries. Also, design and testing processes are continuously being streamlined, which reduces the time spent on projects and the need for technicians.

Opportunities will be best for technicians who are skilled in new manufacturing concepts, materials, and designs. Emerging fields that will offer the most opportunities for mechanical engineering technicians include automation, three-dimensional printing, and robotics. Job opportunities will also be best for technicians who work in the alternative energy industry and in remanufacturing, defined by the DOL as the "art of restoring nonworking products to working condition... [which is] becoming increasingly important because it can reduce waste disposal costs for counties and cities."

The employment outlook for engineering technicians is influenced by the economy. Hiring will fluctuate with the ups and downs of the nation's overall economic situation. Technicians who have experience with the most recent technological developments, including three-dimensional design software, will have the advantage in the job market.