Skills
Mechanical Engineering Technician Skills & Tools
The technical skills, people skills and tools employers look for in mechanical engineering technicians, and how to build and show them.
Mechanical Engineering Technicians need technical skills such as cad, prototyping, and testing and instrumentation, plus people skills like problem solving and attention to detail. They also use tools such as SolidWorks or Inventor and Data acquisition systems.
Technical (hard) skills
- CAD
- Prototyping
- Testing and instrumentation
- GD&T
- Machining basics
- Data analysis
People (soft) skills
- Problem solving
- Attention to detail
- Teamwork
- Communication
Tools, equipment and technology
- SolidWorks or Inventor
- Data acquisition systems
- Calipers and micrometers
- Hand and power tools
- 3D printers
- Test rigs
Skills in action: common tasks
These step-by-step guides show how mechanical engineering technicians put their skills to work:
How to show these skills on a resume
- Lead your skills section with the technical skills from the job posting, for example, “CAD” and “Prototyping.”
- Prove soft skills with results: instead of listing “problem solving,” describe a situation where you used it.
- List credentials such as Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA) near the top, with the issuing organization and date.
- Use the employer’s vocabulary. Our mechanical engineering technician glossary covers the terms hiring managers expect.
How to build these skills
Formal training, supervised practice and certification are the most direct routes. Our Mechanical Engineering Technician training introduces each of these skills with plain-language lessons, procedures and a final knowledge check: a strong foundation before hands-on training or your first day.