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Mechanical Engineering Technician

Kaihangarau Take Pūkaha

Mechanical engineering technicians help mechanical engineers design, develop, test and manufacture mechanical devices, including tools, engines and machines. 

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Secondary education

To gain entry to the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Mechanical), it is recommended that you have a minimum of 48 NCEA credits at Level 2 in four subjects, including at least 12 credits in maths. Physics is also highly recommended, and technology subjects may be useful.

Study fields

Study levels

  • Diploma
  • Certificate

Useful experience

Useful experience for mechanical engineering technicians includes:

  • work in an engineering workshop
  • any work using hand tools or operating machinery
  • welding, pipe and sheet metal work.

What you will do

Mechanical engineering technicians may do some or all of the following:

  • help mechanical engineers design machinery, products and equipment
  • check designs created by mechanical engineers for safety and reliability
  • estimate the amount of equipment needed to build machines or mechanical parts, and costs for these
  • prepare drawings of parts, machinery and assembly plans
  • oversee the building and installation of equipment and machinery
  • test and repair equipment and machines
  • supervise and work with engineering staff at sites such as power and manufacturing plants.

Skills and knowledge

Mechanical engineering technicians need to have knowledge of:

  • engineering science and technology, maths and physics
  • how to use machinery, tools, and construction materials
  • mechanical processes such as how an engine works
  • how to design and produce technical plans, drawings and models
  • relevant computer programs, such as computer-aided design (CAD) software, for creating mechanical plans
  • safety regulations and quality standards.

Mechanical engineering technicians also need to keep up to date with changes in technology, equipment and manufacturing methods.

Pay

Entry-level mechanical engineering technicians usually earn

$48K-$65K

per year

Mechanical engineering technicians in managerial roles usually earn

$85K-$140K

per year

Job opportunities
Good
Chances of getting a job as a mechanical engineering technician are good due to a shortage of workers and increasing demand for their services.
Length of training
2-4
years of training usually required.

Industry

Engineering

Mechanical engineering technicians help mechanical engineers design, develop, test and manufacture mechanical devices, including tools, engines and machines. 

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

There are no specific requirements to become a mechanical engineering technician.

To become qualified you can:

  • complete an apprenticeship where you can gain a qualification such as the New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (NZCME) – Trade.
  • then complete further training while working to complete a full-time two-year New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Mechanical) (Level 6).

Competenz oversees mechanical engineering apprenticeships.

If you wish to be registered with Engineering New Zealand, you can apply to be assessed for the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering Practice.

Chances of getting a job

Mechanical engineering technician skills in demand

Demand for mechanical engineering technicians is high due to:

  • an increase in infrastructure, manufacturing and construction projects
  • a shortage of workers.

Mechanical engineering technician will appear on Immigration New Zealand's Green List from March 2024. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled mechanical engineering technicians from overseas to work in New Zealand.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment reports that the number of people in the role has increased slightly in recent years, and is expected to grow by about 2% until 2023.

According to the Census, 1,821 mechanical engineering technicians worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Types of employers varied

Most mechanical engineering technicians work for private companies or consultancies across a broad range of industries, including:

  • aeronautics
  • building and construction
  • manufacturing
  • product development
  • aviation, boat building and transport
  • agriculture
  • water and wastewater
  • energy.

Find out more about training

Competenz
0800 526 1800 - info@competenz.org.nz - www.competenz.org.nz
Engineering New Zealand
(04) 473 9444 - hello@engineeringnz.org - www.engineeringnz.org
Heavy Engineering Research Association (HERA)
(09) 262 2885 - admin@hera.org.nz - www.hera.org.nz
Institute of Refrigeration, Heating & Air Conditioning Engineers of New Zealand (IRHACE)
(09) 262 1405 - admin@irhace.org.nz - www.irhace.org.nz

Progression and specialisations

Mechanical engineering technicians may progress to supervisory or managerial roles.

Mechanical engineering technicians can specialise in jobs such as:

Boiler Technician/Operator
Boiler technicians/operators monitor, maintain and sometimes repair boilers.
Hydraulic Technician/Mechanic
Hydraulic technicians/mechanics install, repair and maintain hydraulic equipment and machinery such as lifts, cranes and forklifts.
Mechanical Laboratory Technician
Mechanical laboratory technicians help mechanical engineers design, develop, test and manufacture mechanical devices, including tools, engines and machines.

Working conditions

Mechanical engineering technicians:

  • usually work regular business hours, but some may do shift work
  • usually work in workshops, factories, power plants, offices and on building sites
  • may work in noisy and dirty conditions, using machinery that can be hazardous
  • may travel between local sites or overseas on contract.

Physical Requirements

Mechanical engineering technicians need to:

  • be reasonably fit, healthy and strong as they may do heavy lifting
  • have good eyesight (with or without corrective lenses)
  • be comfortable working in confined spaces and at heights, as they may need to climb ladders and crawl around machinery.

Useful personal qualities

Mechanical engineering technicians need to be:

  • practical and accurate, with an eye for detail
  • able to make decisions quickly and work well under pressure
  • good at problem solving
  • patient and confident
  • motivated and disciplined
  • able to work well independently and as part of a team
  • organised
  • good at communicating.

Related Wintec courses

Industry

Engineering

Mechanical engineering technicians help mechanical engineers design, develop, test and manufacture mechanical devices, including tools, engines and machines. 

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