Electromechanical engineering technician

An electromechanical engineering technician

Description

Electromechanical engineering technicians collaborate with electromechanical engineers in the development of electromechanical equipment. Electromechanical engineering technicians are responsible for building, installing, testing, monitoring, and maintaining the electromechanical equipment, circuits and systems. They test this by the use of test instruments such as oscilloscopes and voltmeters. Electromechanical engineering technicians also use soldering equipment and hand tools to repair electromechanical equipment.

Electromechanical engineering technicians typically do the following:

  • Read blueprints, schematics, and diagrams to determine the method and sequence of assembly of a machine or a piece of equipment
  • Verify dimensions of parts, using precision measuring instruments
  • Operate metalworking machines to make housings, fittings, and fixtures
  • Inspect parts for surface defects
  • Repair and calibrate hydraulic and pneumatic assemblies
  • Use instruments to test the performance of electromechanical assemblies
  • Use soldering equipment and handtools to install electronic parts and hardware
  • Operate, test, or maintain robotic equipment
  • Analyze and record test results

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to electromechanical engineering technician:

electromechanical engineering specialist
wind energy technician
ship electrical technician
electrical engineering technician
electromechanical technician
electromechanical engineering technologist
electro-mechanical technician
technician in electromechanical systems
specialist technician in electromechanical systems
electromechanical maintenance technician

Working conditions

Working conditions may vary according to the type of job. Electromechanical engineering technicians usually work with engineers in small teams. They may work in modern shops or laboratories, and they usually work regular forty-hour weeks.

In some kinds of jobs electromechanical engineering technicians need to work well under pressure. Most jobs require them to get along well with other people—either customers or their coworkers. Electromechanical engineering technicians need to be careful and accurate workers who can follow detailed instructions. They should be good at science and mathematics and must work well with their hands.

Minimum qualifications

An associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate in electrical, electronics, or mechanical engineering is generally the minimum required to work as an electromechanical engineering technician.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Electromechanical engineering technician is a Skill level 3 occupation.

Electromechanical engineering technician career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to electromechanical engineering technician.

electrical engineering technician
microsystem engineering technician
automation engineering technician
sensor engineering technician
instrumentation engineering technician

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of electromechanical engineering technician. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of electromechanical engineering technician with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

electromechanical engineer
rolling stock engineer
electromagnetic engineer
integrated circuit design engineer
electric power generation engineer

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of electromechanical engineering technician.

  • Electrical equipment regulations: The national and international regulations with regards to the use and manufacture of electrical equipment on the workfloor. These regulations provide rules and guidelines on topics such as general risk management, electrical equipment manufacture, electrical equipment testing, electrical equipment installation, warning labels, and certificates.
  • Electromechanics: The engineering processes that combine electrical and mechanical engineering in the application of electromechanics in devices that need electricity to create mechanical movement or devices that create electricity by mechanical movement.
  • Electric motors: Motors which are able to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy.
  • Design drawings: Understand design drawings detailing the design of products, tools, and engineering systems.
  • Electric drives: Electromechanical systems that utilise electric motors to control the movement and processes of electrical machinery.
  • Electricity: Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.
  • Electrical wiring diagrams: The visual schematic representation of an electrical circuit, its components, and the connections between these components.
  • Electrical machines: Electrical apparatus that are able to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy (generators), electrical energy to mechanical energy (motors), and change the voltage level of an AC or alternating current (transformers).

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of electromechanical engineering technician.

  • Apply soldering techniques: Apply and work with a variety of techniques in the process of soldering, such as soft soldering, silver soldering, induction soldering, resistance soldering, pipe soldering, mechanical and aluminium soldering.
  • Prepare pieces for joining: Prepare metal or other material workpieces for joining processes by cleaning the workpieces, checking their measurements with the technical plan and marking on the pieces where they’ll be joined.
  • Inspect quality of products: Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
  • Read assembly drawings: Read and interpret drawings listing all the parts and subassemblies of a certain product. The drawing identifies the different components and materials and provides instructions on how to assemble a product.
  • Record test data: Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.
  • Adjust engineering designs: Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.
  • Perform test run: Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.
  • Test electromechanical systems: Test electromechanical systems, machines, and components using appropriate equipment. Gather and analyse data. Monitor and evaluate system performance and take action if needed.
  • Align components: Align and lay out components in order to put them together correctly according to blueprints and technical plans.
  • Wear appropriate protective gear: Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
  • Read standard blueprints: Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.
  • Assemble electromechanical systems: Put together electromechanical equipment and machinery according to specifications.
  • Read engineering drawings: Read the technical drawings of a product made by the engineer in order to suggest improvements, make models of the product or operate it.
  • Liaise with engineers: Collaborate with engineers to ensure common understanding and discuss product design, development and improvement.
  • Fasten components: Fasten components together according to blueprints and technical plans in order to create subassemblies or finished products.
  • Assist scientific research: Assist engineers or scientists with conducting experiments, performing analysis, developing new products or processes, constructing theory, and quality control.
  • Prepare production prototypes: Prepare early models or prototypes in order to test concepts and replicability possibilities. Create prototypes to assess for pre-production tests.
  • Operate soldering equipment: Use soldering equipment, such as a soldering gun, a soldering torch or a gas-powered iron, to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of electromechanical engineering technician. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Electrical engineering: Understand electrical engineering, a field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.
  • Electrical power safety regulations: The compliance with safety measures which need to be taken during the installation, operation, and maintenance of constructions and equipment which function in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical power, such as the appropriate safety gear, equipment handling procedures, and preventive actions.
  • CAE software: The software to perform computer-aided engineering (CAE) analysis tasks such as Finite Element Analysis and Computional Fluid Dynamics.
  • Power electronics: The functioning, design, and usage of electronics that control and convert electric power. Power conversion systems are usually categorised as AC-DC or rectifiers, DC-AC or inverters, DC-DC converters, and AC-AC converters.
  • Mechanical engineering: Discipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.
  • CAD software: The computer-aided design (CAD) software for creating, modifying, analysing or optimising a design.
  • Power engineering: Subdiscipline of energy and electrical engineering which specialises in the generation, transmission, distribution, and usage of electrical power through the connection of electrical devices to motors, generators, and transformers, such as an AC-DC power adapter.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of electromechanical engineering technician. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Monitor machine operations: Observe machine operations and evaluate product quality thereby ensuring conformity to standards.
  • Resolve equipment malfunctions: Identify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions; communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.
  • Assemble electrical components: Assemble switches, electrical controls, circuit boards and other electrical components by using hand and soldering equipment.
  • Work safely with machines: Check and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.
  • Use power tools: Operate power driven pumps. Use hand tools or power tools. Use vehicle repair tools or safety equipment.
  • Use CAM software: Use computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programmes to control machinery and machine tools in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation as part of the manufacturing processes of workpieces.
  • Assemble machines: Assemble machines according to instructions and specifications.
  • Integrate new products in manufacturing: Assist with the integration of new systems, products, methods, and components in the production line. Ensure that production workers are properly trained and follow the new requirements.
  • Write technical reports: Compose technical customer reports understandable for people without technical background.
  • Calibrate electromechanical system: Correct and adjust the reliability of an electromechanical system by measuring output and comparing results with the data of a reference device or a set of standardised results. This is done in regular intervals which are set by the manufacturer.
  • Cut metal products: Operate cutting and measuring instruments in order to cut/shape pieces of metal into given dimensions.
  • Repair wiring: Find faults in wires or cables by using specialised equipment and repair these faults depending on type of wiring.
  • Apply technical communication skills: Explain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.
  • Operate lifting equipment: Transport heavy objects using lifting equipment such as cranes, forklifts etc.
  • Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
  • Program firmware: Program permanent software with a read-only memory (ROM) on a hardware device, such as an integrated circuit.
  • Maintain electromechanical equipment: Diagnose and detect malfunctions in electromechanical components and systems and remove, replace, or repair these components when necessary. Execute preventative equipment maintenance tasks, such as storing the components and machines in clean, dust-free, and non-humid spaces.

ISCO group and title

3113 – Electrical engineering technicians


References
  1. Electromechanical engineering technician – ESCO
  2. Electro-mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians : Occupational Outlook Handbook – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
  3. Electromechanical Engineering Technician Job Description – StateUniversity.com
Last updated on February 14, 2023