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Manufacturing

Mechanical engineering technician Green Job

Mechanical engineering technicians design, install and repair industrial machines and parts.

Annual Salary

£28,000 to £47,000

Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

37 to 42 a week

You could work: evenings / weekends; on shifts

0.5%
Future employment

There will be 0.5% more Mechanical engineering technician jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

As a mechanical engineering technician, you could:

  • use computer aided design (CAD) software to draw parts
  • test ideas to improve existing systems and solve problems
  • install and test instruments and machinery
  • identify and repair faults
  • meet performance and safety targets

Working environment

You may need to wear protective clothing.

You could work in a factory or in an office.

Your working environment may be noisy and outdoors some of the time.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
University

You can do a foundation degree or higher national diploma in mechanical engineering.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
  • university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
College

You can take a college course which would teach you some of the skills needed to become a mechanical engineering technician. Relevant courses include:

  • Level 2 Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
  • Level 2 Diploma in Engineering Technology
  • Level 3 Extended Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
  • T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control
  • T Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
  • guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
  • search for courses|/find-a-course
Apprenticeship

You can apply to do a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, such as:

  • Engineering Technician
  • Mechatronics Maintenance Technician
  • Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician

These can take between 3 and 4 years to complete and combine on-the-job training with learning off site.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

More information

Further information

You'll find more details about careers and training through the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and Tomorrow's Engineers.

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With experience, you could manage a team or a project.

You could specialise in areas like CAD design or quality control.

You could also qualify as an engineer by completing a degree in mechanical engineering.

How does this job help to address the impacts of climate change and protect wildlife and nature in the West of England?

Mechanical engineers will be needed design, test and repair machinery needed to decarbonise transport systems, aerospace, vehicle emissions, renewable energy production and systems and to retrofit buildings. 

Examples of post-16 courses you could study at local schools or colleges

  • Maths, Sciences A-levels
  • Level 2/3 Aircraft Maintenance Engineering at City of Bristol College
  • Engineering and Manufacturing T-Level (available from 2024)

Click here to find a local provider

Apprenticeships you may be able to take with local employers

  • Level 2-3 Engineering Apprenticeship
  • Level 3 Highways Engineer Apprenticeship

Click here to search for a local apprenticeship

Examples of post-18 courses you could study at local higher education providers

Click here to search for other university courses

For more information on the different routes you can take to get into working in mechanical engineering, take a look at the 'Routes into this job' section above. 

Click here for an explanation of the different course and apprenticeship levels.

Local employers 

For more local employment opportunities see the 'Live job vacancies by region' section above.

Click here to view a profile of Andy Patterson, Head of Concept Engineering at National Composites Centre.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • maths knowledge
  • design skills and knowledge
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
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