Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians

Also called: Automation Technician, Automation Test Specialist, Calibration Technician, Certified Control Systems Technician, Commercial Drone Pilot

Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians

Varies

estimated salary

Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians operate, test, maintain or adjust unmanned, automated, servomechanical, or electromechanical equipment. May operate unmanned submarines, aircraft, or other equipment to observe or record visual information at sites such as oil rigs, crop fields, buildings, or for similar infrastructure, deep ocean exploration, or hazardous waste removal. May assist engineers in testing and designing robotics equipment.

  • Test performance of electromechanical assemblies, using test instruments such as oscilloscopes, electronic voltmeters, or bridges.
  • Read blueprints, schematics, diagrams, or technical orders to determine methods and sequences of assembly.
  • Inspect parts for surface defects.
  • Install electrical or electronic parts and hardware in housings or assemblies, using soldering equipment and hand tools.
  • Verify part dimensions or clearances to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.
  • Align, fit, or assemble component parts, using hand or power tools, fixtures, templates, or microscopes.
  • Develop, test, or program new robots.
  • Prepare written documentation of electromechanical test results.
  • Repair, rework, or calibrate hydraulic or pneumatic assemblies or systems to meet operational specifications or tolerances.
  • Operate, test, or maintain robotic equipment used for green production applications, such as waste-to-energy conversion systems, minimization of material waste, or replacement of human operators in dangerous work environments.
  • Train others to install, use, or maintain robots.
  • Operate metalworking machines to fabricate housings, jigs, fittings, or fixtures.
  • Analyze engineering designs of logic or digital circuitry, motor controls, instrumentation, or data acquisition for implementation into new or existing automated, servomechanical, or other electromechanical systems.
  • Collaborate with engineers to implement electromechanical designs in industrial or other settings.
  • Conduct statistical studies to analyze or compare production costs for sustainable and nonsustainable designs.
  • Consult with machinists to ensure that electromechanical equipment or systems meet design specifications.
  • Determine whether selected electromechanical components comply with environmental standards and regulations.
  • Develop or implement programs related to the environmental impact of engineering activities.
  • Establish and maintain inventory, records, or documentation systems.
  • Fabricate or assemble mechanical, electrical, or electronic components or assemblies.
  • Identify energy-conserving production or fabrication methods, such as by bending metal rather than cutting and welding or casting metal.
  • Install or program computer hardware or machine or instrumentation software in microprocessor-based systems.
  • Modify, maintain, or repair electrical, electronic, or mechanical components, equipment, or systems to ensure proper functioning.
  • Produce electrical, electronic, or mechanical drawings or other related documents or graphics necessary for electromechanical design, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
  • Select and use laboratory, operational, or diagnostic techniques or test equipment to assess electromechanical circuits, equipment, processes, systems, or subsystems.
  • Select electromechanical equipment, materials, components, or systems to meet functional specifications.
  • Specify, coordinate, or conduct quality-control or quality-assurance programs and procedures.
  • Test and analyze thermodynamic systems for renewable energy applications, such as solar or wind, to maximize energy production.
  • Translate electromechanical drawings into design specifications, applying principles of engineering, thermal or fluid sciences, mathematics, or statistics.
Work Context
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 86% responded "Every day".
  • Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls — 61% responded "Continually or almost continually".
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 67% responded "Extremely important".
  • Time Pressure — 59% responded "Every day".
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 79% responded "Every day".
  • Contact With Others — 60% responded "Constant contact with others".
  • Work With Work Group or Team — 54% responded "Extremely important".
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Work Activities
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
  • Review technical documents to plan work.
  • Install instrumentation or electronic equipment or systems.
  • Assemble equipment or components.
  • Inspect finished products to locate flaws.
  • Inspect finished products to locate flaws.
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Knowledge

Mechanical
  • Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Computers and Electronics
  • Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Engineering and Technology
  • Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
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Skills

Operation Monitoring
  • Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Troubleshooting
  • Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Monitoring
  • Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Quality Control Analysis
  • Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
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Abilities

Control Precision
  • The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Control Precision
  • The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Near Vision
  • The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Finger Dexterity
  • The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Computer aided design CAD software
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Hot Technology
  • National Instruments Multisim Hot Technology
  • National Instruments Ultiboard Hot Technology
  • PTC Creo Parametric Hot Technology
  • Autodesk Inventor Hot Technology
  • Computer aided design CAD software Hot Technology
  • Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Hot Technology
Electronic mail software
  • Microsoft Outlook Hot Technology
Presentation software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology
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