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Operate, test, maintain, or adjust unmanned, automated, servomechanical, or electromechanical equipment. May operate unmanned submarines, aircraft, or other equipment to observe or record visual information at sites such as oil rigs, crop fields, buildings, or for similar infrastructure, deep ocean exploration, or hazardous waste removal. May assist engineers in testing and designing robotics equipment.
Communication skills. Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians must be able to follow instructions from engineers. They also need to clearly convey problems to engineers.
Detail oriented. Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians must take and record the precise measurements that engineers need.
Dexterity. Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians must be adept in using handtools and soldering irons on small circuitry and electronic parts to create electronic components.
Logical-thinking skills. To carry out engineers’ designs, inspect designs for quality control, and assemble prototypes, electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians must follow a specific sequence or a set of rules.
Math skills. Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians use mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their tasks.
Mechanical skills. Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians must create components for industrial machinery or equipment. They must be able to operate equipment such as drill presses, grinders, and engine lathes.
Problem-solving skills. Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians must be able to identify and fix problems that arise with engineering designs and prototypes.
Writing skills. Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians must write clear, well-organized reports that describe onsite construction, testing results, and problems they found in carrying out designs.
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Characteristics of this Career |
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93% | Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. | |
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87% | Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. | |
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83% | Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. | |
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82% | Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. | |
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82% | Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. | |
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79% | Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical. | |
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78% | Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. | |
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75% | Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. | |
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75% | Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. | |
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74% | Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. | |
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71% | Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. | |
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70% | Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. | |
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67% | Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. | |
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67% | Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems. | |
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56% | Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Strengths |
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100% | Realistic - Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services. | |
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72% | Investigative - Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service. | |
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67% | Conventional - Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Values of the Work Environment |
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72% | Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service. | |
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67% | Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality |
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75% | Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions. | |
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72% | Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). | |
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69% | Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position. | |
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69% | Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). | |
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69% | Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). | |
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69% | Finger Dexterity - The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects. | |
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69% | Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem. | |
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69% | Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. | |
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63% | Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance. | |
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63% | Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object. | |
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63% | Manual Dexterity - The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects. | |
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60% | Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. | |
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60% | Visual Color Discrimination - The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness. | |
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56% | Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. | |
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56% | Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. | |
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53% | Speed of Closure - The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns. | |
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53% | Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways. | |
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53% | Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. | |
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53% | Auditory Attention - The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds. | |
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53% | Hearing Sensitivity - The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness. | |
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53% | Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted. | |
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53% | Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged. | |
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53% | Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Skills | Cognitive, Physical, Personality |
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57% | Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. | |
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57% | Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. | |
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57% | Operations Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly. | |
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57% | Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems. | |
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57% | Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it. | |
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55% | Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools. | |
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54% | Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. | |
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54% | Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance. | |
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52% | Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent |
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94% | Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? | |
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91% | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? | |
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85% | Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? | |
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84% | Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? | |
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83% | Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? | |
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83% | Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? | |
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82% | Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls - How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls? | |
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78% | Electronic Mail - How often do you use electronic mail in this job? | |
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78% | Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization? | |
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77% | Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets - How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets? | |
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74% | Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? | |
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74% | Level of Competition - To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures? | |
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72% | Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable - How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable? | |
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69% | Importance of Repeating Same Tasks - How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job? | |
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68% | Consequence of Error - How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable? | |
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68% | Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer? | |
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67% | Exposed to Contaminants - How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)? | |
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67% | Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job? | |
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64% | Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? | |
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63% | Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers? | |
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62% | Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job? | |
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61% | Letters and Memos - How often does the job require written letters and memos? | |
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60% | Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? | |
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60% | Physical Proximity - To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people? | |
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60% | Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People - How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements? | |
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59% | Frequency of Conflict Situations - How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job? | |
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59% | Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in non-controlled environmental conditions (e.g., warehouse without heat)? | |
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57% | Spend Time Sitting - How much does this job require sitting? | |
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53% | Exposed to Hazardous Equipment - How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment? | |
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85% | Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Tasks & Values |
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82% | Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. | |
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81% | Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles. | |
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78% | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. | |
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78% | Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. | |
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77% | Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. | |
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76% | Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). | |
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74% | Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. | |
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73% | Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. | |
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72% | Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. | |
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70% | Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. | |
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70% | Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. | |
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69% | Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. | |
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67% | Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. | |
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66% | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. | |
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66% | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. | |
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65% | Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. | |
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63% | Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles. | |
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59% | Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. | |
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58% | Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. | |
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56% | Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used. | |
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56% | Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. | |
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54% | Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. | |
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53% | Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics. | |
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53% | Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. | |
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51% | Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
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.
Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians typically do the following:
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 15,200 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians were as follows:
| Scientific research and development services | 14% |
| Engineering services | 13 |
| Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing | 8 |
| Machinery manufacturing | 8 |
| Transportation equipment manufacturing | 4 |
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.
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.
Associate’s degree programs and postsecondary certificates for electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians are offered at vocational–technical schools and community colleges.
Employers may prefer to hire graduates of programs accredited by an organization such as ABET. Associate’s degree programs usually include courses in subjects such as algebra, trigonometry, and sciences. Depending on the program, students may have the option of concentrating in a field such as electromechanics, mechatronics, or industrial maintenance.
Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians may earn optional certification to demonstrate professional competence.
The International Society of Automation offers the Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST) and Certified Automation Professional (CAP) designations. Both require a written exam, and recertification is required after a specified number of years.
The National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) offers certification in electrical power testing and other specialties. The technologist certification requires a 4-year engineering technology degree.
Employment of electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians is projected to decline 3 percent from 2022 to 2032.
Despite declining employment, about 1,300 openings for electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Many of these technologists and technicians are employed in manufacturing industries, for which employment projections vary. Automation in manufacturing could affect this occupation in both positive and negative ways. While automation may replace certain responsibilities, electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians will still be needed to operate and maintain the robotic equipment.
For more information about general engineering education and career resources, visit
American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
Technology Student Association (TSA)
For more information on accredited programs, visit
For more information about certification, visit
International Society of Automation (ISA)
National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET)
For information about working in automation, visit
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians.
| Occupation | Job Duties | Entry-Level Education | Median Annual Pay, May 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Drafters |
Drafters use software to convert the designs of engineers and architects into technical drawings. |
Associate's degree | $60,400 |
|
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians |
Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians help engineers design and develop equipment that is powered by electricity or electric current. |
Associate's degree | $66,390 |
|
Electrical and Electronics Engineers |
Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of electrical equipment. |
Bachelor's degree | $104,610 |
|
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers |
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers install or repair a variety of electrical equipment. |
See How to Become One | $64,190 |
|
Machinists and Tool and Die Makers |
Machinists and tool and die makers set up and operate equipment to produce precision metal parts, instruments, and tools. |
See How to Become One | $49,560 |
|
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians |
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians help mechanical engineers design, develop, test, and manufacture machines and other devices. |
Associate's degree | $61,990 |
|
Mechanical Engineers |
Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices. |
Bachelor's degree | $96,310 |