How To Become A Systems Mechanic: What It Is and Career Path

What is a systems mechanic and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Systems Mechanics play an important role in ensuring the repair, modification, test, and maintenance of systems and components. To perform this job, systems mechanics must know the physical principles governing the behavior of fluids, basic electrical and mechanical principles, and repair procedures and methods. These mechanics work in various assignments, including modifying and repairing, or rebuilding, testing, and troubleshooting.

These mechanics should be skilled in the use of test equipment and measuring devices such as bench test sets, micrometers, torque gauges, multimeters, gauge blocks, and calipers. They use these devices and tools to inspect, disassemble, repair, and test parts and subassemblies.

Systems mechanics may occasionally be required to lift an object weighing up to 50 pounds and may be required to stand for prolonged periods of time. If you would like to be a systems mechanic, you can get this job with just a high school diploma. However, many employers prefer to hire those who have completed a certificate or Associate's degree

ScoreSystems MechanicUS Average

Salary

5.3

Avg. Salary $67,679

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.8

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.63%

Asian 6.74%

Black or African American 10.51%

Hispanic or Latino 21.71%

Unknown 5.07%

White 55.33%

Gender

female 6.08%

male 93.92%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress level

7.8

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.9

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.2

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a systems mechanic

Explore systems mechanic education requirements

Most common systems mechanic degrees

Associate

38.1 %

High School Diploma

25.7 %

Bachelor's

25.3 %

Start to develop specific systems mechanic skills

Skills	Percentages
Hand Tools	9.64%
Test Equipment	7.56%
Preventive Maintenance	6.00%
Hydraulic Systems	4.80%
Technical Data	3.91%

Complete relevant systems mechanic training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New systems mechanics learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a systems mechanic based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real systems mechanic resumes.

Research systems mechanic duties and responsibilities

Manage aerospace propulsion functions and activities.
Install fiber optic, RF, data and power cabling.
Adjust regulators, cut in/ out relays and points in magnetic switches.
Act as liaison between production employees and engineers to troubleshoot technical problems.

Prepare your systems mechanic resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your systems mechanic resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a systems mechanic resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable systems mechanic resume templates

Build a professional systems mechanic resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your systems mechanic resume.