What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians in the U.S. earn more than $74,510 a year — the middle 80% land between $48,400 and $106,050. About 36,190 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Professionals earn about ₹38,298 a month on average — around ₹4.6 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$74,510typical pay / year
36,190people in this work
$106,050+top 10% earn
₹4.6 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Keeping the record2
Record test procedures and results
+Log the autopsy test procedures and results for the Ford Explorer case 2026-07-12: list each assay,…
Record test procedures and results
+Log the autopsy test procedures and results for the Ford Explorer case 2026-07-12: list each assay, instrument serial, calibration status, step-by-step actions taken, observed values, and attach chain-of-custody photos before I sign off tonight.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Review blueprints and designs to determine test specifications and procedures
+Review the teardown blueprints for the Chevrolet Silverado front axle assembly, extract required test…
Review blueprints and designs to determine test specifications and procedures
+Review the teardown blueprints for the Chevrolet Silverado front axle assembly, extract required test dimensions, list torque and material limits, draft the stepwise test procedure with acceptance criteria, and circulate to lab techs before tomorrow's bench run.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCAD MechanicalPTC Creo ParametricESCOO*NET
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Move2
Inspect automotive systems and components regularly
+Perform the scheduled inspection of braking, steering, and suspension systems on 2019 Toyota Corolla lot unit…
Inspect automotive systems and components regularly
+Perform the scheduled inspection of braking, steering, and suspension systems on 2019 Toyota Corolla lot unit 34, record wear measurements and torque checks, photograph defects, recommend immediate removals, and file the inspection log by end of shift.
The tools that do the workdiagnosticjob descriptionsO*NET
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Operate equipment used in motor vehicles
+Operate the vehicle dynamometer and drive-by noise rig to cycle the 2018 Honda Civic engine and transmission…
Operate equipment used in motor vehicles
+Operate the vehicle dynamometer and drive-by noise rig to cycle the 2018 Honda Civic engine and transmission per procedure A12, record operating parameters, note any abnormal vibration or leaks, save raw data and a short summary before I hand the vehicle off.
The tools that do the workData acquisitionDiagnosticESCOO*NET
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The daily work16
Recommend product or component design improvements, based on test data or observations.
+Review the last five teardown reports and the impact-test logs, then write a short recommendation for changes…
Recommend product or component design improvements, based on test data or observations.
+Review the last five teardown reports and the impact-test logs, then write a short recommendation for changes to the seat-belt anchorage and tubing joints citing measured failures, expected benefit, and one low-cost prototype to try by Friday.
The tools that do the workNational Instruments LabVIEWMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Fabricate new or modify existing prototype components or fixtures.
+Machine and fit a revised bracket and two spacer plates from the bench drawings, modify the existing fixture…
Fabricate new or modify existing prototype components or fixtures.
+Machine and fit a revised bracket and two spacer plates from the bench drawings, modify the existing fixture so the new parts register to the same datum, then build one working prototype and leave it on my bench with a brief fabrication note.
The tools that do the workAutodesk InventorO*NET
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Collaborate with engineers to improve vehicle designs
+Set up a one-hour meeting with Derek in chassis engineering and Maya in crash to review three recurring…
Collaborate with engineers to improve vehicle designs
+Set up a one-hour meeting with Derek in chassis engineering and Maya in crash to review three recurring fracture locations, bring the autopsy photos, the stress maps and two quick change ideas so we leave with agreed actions and owners.
The tools that do the workIBM Notesjob descriptions
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Make recommendations for changes
+From the last bench teardown, list the top three change requests I want on the drawing: thicker wall at the…
Make recommendations for changes
+From the last bench teardown, list the top three change requests I want on the drawing: thicker wall at the joint, altered weld angle, and a drain hole; justify each with observed damage, estimated cost impact, and a recommended approver.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Material mechanics
+Run tensile and bend data from the last material batch, compare yield and elongation to spec, then flag any…
Material mechanics
+Run tensile and bend data from the last material batch, compare yield and elongation to spec, then flag any lot below spec and produce a short note recommending acceptance, rework, or scrap with the lab printouts attached.
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Read standard blueprints
+Review the vehicle body assembly drawing set, verify bracket hole sizes and datum locations against the…
Read standard blueprints
+Review the vehicle body assembly drawing set, verify bracket hole sizes and datum locations against the teardown photos, mark any mismatches on the drawings, and leave a one-paragraph note for the drafter to correct.
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Use a computer
+Run the post-mortem lab computer tests, load the case file, export the measurement logs to a spreadsheet,…
Use a computer
+Run the post-mortem lab computer tests, load the case file, export the measurement logs to a spreadsheet, flag any sensor faults, and save a copy in the case folder before leaving at 17:00.
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Liaise with engineers
+Set up a short meeting with the vehicle engineers, bring the failed component, the tear-down photos, and the…
Liaise with engineers
+Set up a short meeting with the vehicle engineers, bring the failed component, the tear-down photos, and the bend and fracture measurements so we can agree on what to request next.
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Read engineering drawings
+Read the suspension arm drawing set, verify material callouts, critical dimensions and tolerance notes…
Read engineering drawings
+Read the suspension arm drawing set, verify material callouts, critical dimensions and tolerance notes against our fracture marks, annotate deviations on each sheet, and save the annotated set to the case folder before I sign the report.
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CAE software
+Run a finite element simulation of the fractured bracket using the part geometry and the lab-measured load…
CAE software
+Run a finite element simulation of the fractured bracket using the part geometry and the lab-measured load history, compare predicted crack initiation to the actual fracture, and export the result images for the report.
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Engineering principles
+Write a short memo that explains the engineering principles behind brittle versus ductile failure, reference…
Engineering principles
+Write a short memo that explains the engineering principles behind brittle versus ductile failure, reference the material certificates and our hardness readings, and recommend which tests will confirm mode of failure.
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Vehicle manufacturing process
+Trace the vehicle production steps for this VIN: list the assembly stations, note any service bulletins, map…
Vehicle manufacturing process
+Trace the vehicle production steps for this VIN: list the assembly stations, note any service bulletins, map where this component was fitted, and attach the production batch and supplier lot to the case file.
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Multimedia systems
+Test and document the autopsy suite multimedia system: run the audio-video sync check, verify camera feeds…
Multimedia systems
+Test and document the autopsy suite multimedia system: run the audio-video sync check, verify camera feeds and recording redundancy, note any wiring or mounting failures, time-stamp failures, and send a single annotated report to Facilities and IT by Wednesday morning.
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ICT software specifications
+Draft ICT software specifications for the autopsy suite: list required camera resolutions, storage retention,…
ICT software specifications
+Draft ICT software specifications for the autopsy suite: list required camera resolutions, storage retention, secure user access levels, HL7-compatible event logging, and minimum latency targets, then circulate to IT manager Sarah Cole and procurement by Friday.
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Recommend product improvements
+Compile recommended product improvements for the dissection table and toolset based on recent failures:…
Recommend product improvements
+Compile recommended product improvements for the dissection table and toolset based on recent failures: describe threaded fastener wear, suggested material hardening, anti-slip tray redesign, cost estimate and safety impact, send to Procurement and Lab Director within two working days.
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Mechanics of motor vehicles
+Inspect the mortuary transport gurney driveline, record bearing play, brake response and steering linkage…
Mechanics of motor vehicles
+Inspect the mortuary transport gurney driveline, record bearing play, brake response and steering linkage wear, produce a ranked repair priority list with parts and estimated labour, and send the list to Maintenance and Fleet by end of day Thursday.
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Says who?
These are the pages we read to build this. Open any of them and check us.
The logs, files & records this job keeps
Shared with other careers — the same record means something different in each.
Related careers
Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses