Career summary

Details for Electro-Mechanical Technicians


Description

Operate, test, and maintain unmanned, automated, servo-mechanical, or electromechanical equipment. May operate unmanned submarines, aircraft, or other equipment at worksites, such as oil rigs, deep ocean exploration, or hazardous waste removal. May assist engineers in testing and designing robotics equipment.

Tasks

  • Test performance of electromechanical assemblies, using test instruments such as oscilloscopes, electronic voltmeters, or bridges.
  • Read blueprints, schematics, diagrams, or technical orders to determine methods and sequences of assembly.
  • Install electrical or electronic parts and hardware in housings or assemblies, using soldering equipment and hand tools.
  • Align, fit, or assemble component parts, using hand or power tools, fixtures, templates, or microscopes.
  • Inspect parts for surface defects.
  • Verify part dimensions or clearances to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.
  • Operate metalworking machines to fabricate housings, jigs, fittings, or fixtures.
  • Repair, rework, or calibrate hydraulic or pneumatic assemblies or systems to meet operational specifications or tolerances.
  • Train others to install, use, or maintain robots.
  • Develop, test, or program new robots.
  • Operate, test, or maintain robotic equipment used for green production applications, such as waste-to-energy conversion systems, minimization of material waste, or replacement of human operators in dangerous work environments.
  • Prepare written documentation of electromechanical test results.
  • Analyze engineering designs of logic or digital circuitry, motor controls, instrumentation, or data acquisition for implementation into new or existing automated, servomechanical, or other electromechanical systems.
  • Collaborate with engineers to implement electromechanical designs in industrial or other settings.
  • Conduct statistical studies to analyze or compare production costs for sustainable and nonsustainable designs.
  • Consult with machinists to ensure that electromechanical equipment or systems meet design specifications.
  • Determine whether selected electromechanical components comply with environmental standards and regulations.
  • Develop or implement programs related to the environmental impact of engineering activities.
  • Establish and maintain inventory, records, or documentation systems.
  • Fabricate or assemble mechanical, electrical, or electronic components or assemblies.
  • Identify energy-conserving production or fabrication methods, such as by bending metal rather than cutting and welding or casting metal.
  • Install or program computer hardware or machine or instrumentation software in microprocessor-based systems.
  • Modify, maintain, or repair electrical, electronic, or mechanical components, equipment, or systems to ensure proper functioning.
  • Produce electrical, electronic, or mechanical drawings or other related documents or graphics necessary for electromechanical design, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
  • Select and use laboratory, operational, or diagnostic techniques or test equipment to assess electromechanical circuits, equipment, processes, systems, or subsystems.
  • Select electromechanical equipment, materials, components, or systems to meet functional specifications.
  • Specify, coordinate, or conduct quality-control or quality-assurance programs and procedures.
  • Test and analyze thermodynamic systems for renewable energy applications, such as solar or wind, to maximize energy production.
  • Translate electromechanical drawings into design specifications, applying principles of engineering, thermal or fluid sciences, mathematics, or statistics.

Interests

  • Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
  • Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
  • Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Education, training, experience

  • Education - Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
  • Training - Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
  • Experience - Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Knowledge

  • Physics -Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
  • Production and Processing -Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • Education and Training -Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • English Language -Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Mathematics -Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Engineering and Technology -Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  • Computers and Electronics -Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Mechanical -Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Skills

  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

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