What does a mechanical assembly technician do?
A mechanical assembly technician performs tensioning and torque-related services on bolted applications like flanges for mechanical assembly piping and mechanical assembly hardware using documenting results and calibrated mechanical assembly torque wrenches. Besides interpreting blueprints and performing torque with manual torque wrenches or hydraulic torque wrenches, a mechanical assembly technician also uses and completes the company and customer paperwork and forms correctly. Furthermore, a mechanical assembly technician uses company vehicles, equipment, and tools and maintains and cares for them properly.
Mechanical assembly technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real mechanical assembly technician resumes:
- Test and calibration of transducers.
- Require knowledge of GMP, IPC and ISO criteria.
- Perform final QC review of products prior to shipment.
- Mount and secure PC boards, terminal blocks, relays and switches.
- Complete inspections of PCB's before moving them to the next process step.
- Install components, unit, wiring and using small hand tools such as tweezers, screwdrivers.
- Pull materials from warehouse using a sign-out process for the incoming PCB's that are to be assemble.
- Complete QA and test record reports, water and liquid flow calibration; NDT performance and ISO standards.
- Adapt to a safe work environment by utilizing proper PPE (safety glasses, masks, gloves etc . )
- Test and troubleshoot equipment before installation.
- Assemble analog transmitters according to specifications.
- Assemble and qualify medical transducers for worldwide customers.
- Analyze and interpret data from environmental tests and troubleshoot equipment problems.
- Complete training and/or FAA certification requirements for the position.
- Install engine/transmission assemblies into truck chassis using 2ton overhead crane.
Mechanical assembly technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 19% of Mechanical Assembly Technicians are proficient in Hand Tools, Calipers, and Sub Assemblies. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Creativity, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Mechanical Assembly Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Hand Tools, 19%
Performed electrical testing, precision measuring using hand tools and machinery.
- Calipers, 6%
Inspect Final Repair Products with using calipers, micrometers, gauges and Make & Sign 8130 Tag.
- Sub Assemblies, 6%
Assured form & fit conformance of parts, sub assemblies & complete assemblies by comparison to blue prints.
- Quality Standards, 5%
Performed standardized testing, documentation and troubleshooting to ensure quality standards.
- Troubleshoot, 5%
Inspect, repair, troubleshoot problems and calibrate gears to assist with overhaul and upgrade parts.
- Mechanical Components, 4%
Perform inspection of incoming and outgoing components, including electrical and mechanical components.
Most mechanical assembly technicians use their skills in "hand tools," "calipers," and "sub assemblies" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential mechanical assembly technician responsibilities here:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a mechanical assembly technician to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what mechanical assembly technicians do because "mechanical engineering technologists and technicians must be able to clearly explain, both orally and in writing, the need for changes in designs or test procedures." Additionally, a mechanical assembly technician resume shows how mechanical assembly technicians use communication skills: "experience in plc operations to include basic system configurations and hardware, data communications, interfacing, and troubleshooting. "
Detail oriented. mechanical assembly technicians are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to mechanical assembly technician responsibilities, because "mechanical engineering technologists and technicians must make precise measurements and keep accurate records for mechanical engineers." A mechanical assembly technician resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "followed detailed engineering drawings, prints and visual check tests for assemblies and sub-assemblies components. "
Math skills. A big part of what mechanical assembly technicians do relies on "math skills." You can see how essential it is to mechanical assembly technician responsibilities because "mechanical engineering technologists and technicians use mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical mechanical assembly technician tasks: "use and familiar with assembly and measuring tools, interpret visual aids and must be able to perform simple shop math. "
Mechanical skills. A commonly-found skill in mechanical assembly technician job descriptions, "mechanical skills" is essential to what mechanical assembly technicians do. Mechanical assembly technician responsibilities rely on this skill because "mechanical engineering technologists and technicians must apply theory and instructions from engineers by making new components for industrial machinery or equipment." You can also see how mechanical assembly technician duties rely on mechanical skills in this resume example: "assemble and test varies electro mechanical and resistivity sensors according to customer specifications"
The three companies that hire the most mechanical assembly technicians are:
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Mechanical assembly technician vs. Engineering drawings checker
An assembly inspector is primarily in charge of inspecting products, usually furniture and fixtures, to ensure compliance with production standards. Their responsibilities typically include examining surfaces to identify any dents or damages, conducting measurements and assessments, marking identified issues, reviewing documentation, and maintaining records, producing detailed reports for teams and managers. Moreover, as an assembly inspector, it is essential to lead and encourage staff to reach goals, all while implementing the company's production standards and policies.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, mechanical assembly technician responsibilities require skills like "hand tools," "calipers," "sub assemblies," and "quality standards." Meanwhile a typical engineering drawings checker has skills in areas such as "gd," "checker," "engineering design," and "design intent." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
The education levels that engineering drawings checkers earn slightly differ from mechanical assembly technicians. In particular, engineering drawings checkers are 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a mechanical assembly technician. Additionally, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Mechanical assembly technician vs. Research mechanic
In a manufacturing setting, an assembly operator is in charge of assembling materials using hands or tools. Their responsibilities include following assembly guidelines, packing items in containers and boxes, operating tools and equipment, and developing strategies to optimize operations. They may also perform regular maintenance checks on machines and equipment to maintain a safe and efficient work environment. Furthermore, it is essential to observe an active communication line with co-workers, coordinating for a structured and smooth workflow.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that mechanical assembly technician responsibilities requires skills like "hand tools," "calipers," "sub assemblies," and "quality standards." But a research mechanic might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "check sheets," "solidworks," "computational fluid dynamics," and "data collection."
Research mechanics earn higher levels of education than mechanical assembly technicians in general. They're 16.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Mechanical assembly technician vs. Assembly inspector
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from mechanical assembly technician resumes include skills like "calipers," "sub assemblies," "troubleshoot," and "mechanical components," whereas an assembly inspector is more likely to list skills in "line assembly," "inspection results," "safety policies," and "ipc. "
Assembly inspectors earn the highest salary when working in the automotive industry, where they receive an average salary of $31,703. Comparatively, mechanical assembly technicians have the highest earning potential in the health care industry, with an average salary of $41,577.When it comes to education, assembly inspectors tend to earn similar degree levels compared to mechanical assembly technicians. In fact, they're 1.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Mechanical assembly technician vs. Assembly operator
Even though a few skill sets overlap between mechanical assembly technicians and assembly operators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a mechanical assembly technician might have more use for skills like "sub assemblies," "mechanical components," "electro-mechanical assembly," and "engineering drawings." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of assembly operators require skills like "quality checks," "basic math," "math," and "continuous improvement. "
The automotive industry tends to pay the highest salaries for assembly operators, with average annual pay of $34,880. Comparatively, the highest mechanical assembly technician annual salary comes from the health care industry.The average resume of assembly operators showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to mechanical assembly technicians. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.0%.Types of mechanical assembly technician
Updated January 8, 2025











