Electro-mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians

Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians combine knowledge of mechanical technology with knowledge of electrical and electronic circuitry. They operate, test, and maintain unmanned, automated, robotic, or electromechanical equipment.

Duties

Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians typically do the following:

• Read blueprints, schematics, and diagrams to determine the method and sequence of assembly of a machine or a piece of equipment
• Verify dimensions of parts, using precision measuring instruments
• Operate metalworking machines to make housings, fittings, and fixtures
• Inspect parts for surface defects
• Repair and calibrate hydraulic and pneumatic assemblies
• Use instruments to test the performance of electromechanical assemblies
• Use soldering equipment and handtools to install electronic parts and hardware
• Operate, test, or maintain robotic equipment
• Analyze and record test results

Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians test and operate machines in factories and at other worksites. They also document the tests they performed and analyze and record the results of those tests.

Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians install, maintain, and repair automated machinery and computer-controlled mechanical systems in industrial settings.

They also test, operate, or maintain robotic equipment at worksites. This equipment may include unmanned submarines, aircraft, or similar types of equipment for uses that include oil drilling, deep-ocean exploration, or hazardous-waste removal.

Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians held about 15,000 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians were as follows:

Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians work with electrical engineers and mechanical engineers. They work primarily in manufacturing industries, including those of computer and electronic products and of machinery, and in professional, scientific, and technical services. They often work both at production sites and in offices.

Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians are sometimes exposed to hazards from equipment or toxic materials. However, incidents are rare as long as workers follow safety procedures.

Work Schedules

Most electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.

Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians typically need either an associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate.

The median annual wage for electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians was $70,760 in May 2024.

Employment of electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians is projected to show little or no change from 2024 to 2034.

Despite limited employment growth, about 1,300 openings for electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.