Table 1Transition record

mechanical engineertomechanical engineering technician

A mechanical engineer already meets 55% of what the mechanical engineering technician role asks for. The move turns on 4 required skills not yet in the profile.

From mechanical engineer

55%

Overlap1

To mechanical engineering technician

17 Skills carried over

4 Required, not held

45.6 Difficulty2

adjacent 0–30

moderate 30–55

substantial 55–75

career change 75–100

this move, 45.6

This move: 45.6 of 100 · moderate

1 Share of the mechanical engineering technician role’s weighted skill requirement already met by the mechanical engineer profile. Required skills count in full, supplementary skills at 0.35. Directional: the figure for the reverse move differs. 2 Combines what is missing with how specialised it is, so a gap of general skills scores easier than the same number of narrow ones.

Table 2

Table 2 · What you already bring

Of the 17 skills that carry over, these are the ones fewest other occupations ask for. A mechanical engineering technician role needs them, and most people applying for one will not have them already. This is the part of a mechanical engineer background worth leading with.

Skill the target role also needs Area

already held design engineering components communication, collaboration and creativity
already held define part requirements information skills
already held blueprints engineering, manufacturing and construction
already held fluid mechanics engineering, manufacturing and construction
already held principles of mechanical engineering engineering, manufacturing and construction
already held material mechanics engineering, manufacturing and construction

All 17 carried skills, including the 10 the mechanical engineering technician role treats as required.

Table 3

Table 3 · What you would need to learn

The 22 missing skills fall into 12 areas of the ESCO skill hierarchy, numbered below in the order worth working in: the areas carrying the most required skills come first, and inside each one the required skills sit above the supplementary ones.

Skill to acquire Tier

01 communication, collaboration and creativity 2 required, 1 supplementary

required, not held liaise with engineers required
required, not held troubleshoot required

optional, not held order supplies optional

02 information skills 1 required, 4 supplementary

required, not held analyse test data required

optional, not held interpret technical requirements optional
optional, not held analyse production processes for improvement optional
optional, not held assess operating cost optional
optional, not held record test data optional

03 natural sciences, mathematics and statistics 1 required

required, not held mathematics required

04 constructing 3 supplementary

optional, not held monitor nuclear power plant systems optional
optional, not held perform maintenance on installed equipment optional
optional, not held perform test run optional

05 working with computers 2 supplementary

optional, not held use CAD software optional
optional, not held use computer-aided engineering systems optional

06 working with machinery and specialised equipment 2 supplementary

optional, not held maintain power plants optional
optional, not held use testing equipment optional

6 further areas in the appendix

Table 4

Table 4 · Where to start

The 3 entries a mechanical engineering technician role is least likely to hire without. The ordering is computed from the skill data, not from what pays.

Each entry opens a course search for that skill. Career Overlap earns nothing from these links.

Appendix

Appendix · The rest of the record

All 17 skills that carry over

Skill Type

already held CAE software knowledge
already held adjust engineering designs skill
already held define part requirements skill
already held design engineering components skill
already held engineering principles knowledge
already held engineering processes knowledge
already held mechanical engineering knowledge
already held mechanics knowledge
already held principles of mechanical engineering knowledge
already held read engineering drawings skill
already held blueprints knowledge
already held create technical plans skill
already held fluid mechanics knowledge
already held manage supplies skill
already held material mechanics knowledge
already held read standard blueprints skill
already held technical drawings knowledge

The 6 learning areas not shown above

Skill to acquire Tier

07 arts and humanities 1 supplementary

optional, not held technical terminology optional

08 assisting and caring 1 supplementary

optional, not held oversee quality control optional

09 engineering, manufacturing and construction 1 supplementary

optional, not held nuclear energy optional

10 information and communication technologies (icts) 1 supplementary

optional, not held CAD software optional

11 management skills 1 supplementary

optional, not held ensure equipment availability optional

12 services 1 supplementary

optional, not held health and safety in the workplace optional

18 supplementary skills, helpful but not required

Skill to acquire Tier

optional, not held interpret technical requirements optional
optional, not held maintain power plants optional
optional, not held CAD software optional
optional, not held analyse production processes for improvement optional
optional, not held assess operating cost optional
optional, not held ensure equipment availability optional
optional, not held health and safety in the workplace optional
optional, not held monitor nuclear power plant systems optional
optional, not held nuclear energy optional
optional, not held order supplies optional
optional, not held oversee quality control optional
optional, not held perform maintenance on installed equipment optional
optional, not held perform test run optional
optional, not held record test data optional
optional, not held technical terminology optional
optional, not held use CAD software optional
optional, not held use computer-aided engineering systems optional
optional, not held use testing equipment optional

75 held skills the mechanical engineering technician role does not ask for

Skill Type

not needed by the target role 3D modelling knowledge
not needed by the target role advise on machinery malfunctions skill
not needed by the target role aerodynamics knowledge
not needed by the target role aircraft mechanics knowledge
not needed by the target role approve engineering design skill
not needed by the target role assess financial viability skill
not needed by the target role automation technology knowledge
not needed by the target role automotive engineering skill
not needed by the target role build machines skill
not needed by the target role building automation knowledge
not needed by the target role calibrate mechatronic instruments skill
not needed by the target role combined heat and power generation knowledge
not needed by the target role computer simulation knowledge
not needed by the target role continuum mechanics knowledge
not needed by the target role coordinate engineering teams skill
not needed by the target role create a product's virtual model skill
not needed by the target role define technical requirements skill
not needed by the target role design a domotic system in buildings skill
not needed by the target role design a solar absorption cooling system skill
not needed by the target role design automation components skill
not needed by the target role design drawings knowledge
not needed by the target role design heating and cooling emission systems skill
not needed by the target role design principles knowledge
not needed by the target role design prototypes skill
not needed by the target role determine production capacity skill
not needed by the target role develop mechatronic test procedures skill
not needed by the target role disassemble engines skill
not needed by the target role draft design specifications skill
not needed by the target role electric current knowledge
not needed by the target role electromechanics knowledge
not needed by the target role environmental legislation knowledge
not needed by the target role evaluate engine performance skill
not needed by the target role execute analytical mathematical calculations skill
not needed by the target role gather technical information skill
not needed by the target role hydraulics knowledge
not needed by the target role industrial engineering knowledge
not needed by the target role inspect engine rooms skill
not needed by the target role install automation components skill
not needed by the target role install mechatronic equipment skill
not needed by the target role instruct on energy saving technologies skill

35 further entries not listed here

5 gaps that are knowledge rather than practice

Knowledge gaps usually close through study. Practical skill gaps usually need something you can point at.

Skill to acquire Tier

required, not held mathematics required
optional, not held CAD software optional
optional, not held health and safety in the workplace optional
optional, not held nuclear energy optional
optional, not held technical terminology optional

Index

Other moves recorded from mechanical engineer

Full index of moves from mechanical engineer

Note

How this record was compiled

Both occupations are taken from ESCO, which lists the skills and knowledge each occupation is expected to have and marks every one required or optional. Nothing here is a prediction about hiring, and nothing here knows that a particular employer wants a particular certificate. Treat Table 3 as a starting point for your own research rather than a syllabus. The full method states what these figures can and cannot tell you.