Mechanical Engineering Technologist / Technician
NOC (National Occupational Classification)
- NOC 2232 Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
Who am I?
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians provide technical support and services or may work independently in mechanical engineering fields such as the design, development, maintenance and testing of equipment, components, heating and ventilating systems. They are employed by consulting engineering, manufacturing and processing companies, institutions and government departments.
Other Titles:
HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) technologist
Heating Designer
Mechanical Engineering Technician/Technologist
Essential Skills
Essential Skills are not the technical skills required by particular occupations but rather the skills applied in all occupations. These skills provide the foundation for learning all other skills and apply to careers in HVACR. See Employment and Social Development Canada for more details.
The most important Essential Skills for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians are:
- Document Use – Needs to refer to specifications for equipment, review and interpret documents and graphs, prepare proposal outlines for project developments
- Numeracy - Necessary part of activities to use mathematical equations to calculate materials required for projects, formulas for area, pressure, etc.
- Thinking Skills - Problem solving including critical thinking and analytical skills are necessary to determine why equipment installed is problematic.
What do I do?
As a Mechanical Engineering Technologist you may do some of the following:
- Prepare and interpret conventional and computer-assisted design (CAD) engineering designs, drawings, and specifications for components, heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems
- Prepare cost and material estimates, project schedules and reports
- Conduct tests and analyses to determine equipment performance, strength, response to stress and other characteristics
- Inspect mechanical installations and construction
- Prepare contract and tender documents
- Supervise, monitor and inspect mechanical installations and construction projects including standards and schedules for mechanical maintenance programs.
Mechanical Engineering Technicians:
- Assist with preparing diagrams, drawings and specifications
- Carry out a limited range of mechanical tests and analyses of equipment
- Assist in installations and inspection of construction projects
- Participate in installation, repair and maintenance of equipment.
Education/Training
- Completion of a two- or three-year college program in mechanical engineering technology is usually required for mechanical engineering technologists
- Completion of a one- or two-year college program in mechanical engineering technology is usually required for mechanical engineering technicians
- Certification in mechanical engineering technology or in a related field is available through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians and may be required for some positions
- A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification
- In Quebec, membership in the regulatory body is required to use the title of Professional Technologist.