Mechanical Engineering Technology
The Mechanical Engineering Technology curriculum equips the graduate for: performing a key role in the mechanical design process; installing, troubleshooting and repairing mechanical and electro-mechanical equipment; programming CNC machine tools, computers, programmable controllers and robots; performing general maintenance functions.
Credentials offered
A Career in Mechanical Engineering Technology
If you've always been curious about how things work, enjoy fixing things and solving practical problems, the Mechanical Engineering Technology program may be right for you. Most industrial products are mechanical in nature, and almost nothing can be made without the use of machines and structures.
The Mechanical Engineering Technology curriculum at Piedmont Technical College equips graduates for performing a key role in the mechanical design process; installing, troubleshooting and repairing mechanical and electromechanical equipment; programming CNC machines, computers, programmable controllers and robots; and performing general maintenance functions.
What Will I Do as a Mechanical Engineering Technician?
Because of the scope of the program at Piedmont Technical College, graduates are not limited to a specific area of employment. After completing your training, you'll be qualified for positions like mechanical technician, maintenance technician and junior engineer.
Advancement to positions in engineering or management is possible with experience and further education. Possible positions include field service representative, engineering sales representative, product engineer and design engineer.
Some of your responsibilities may require you to:
- Work with a variety of engineering applications and programs
- Test and inspect machines and equipment
- Work as part of a team to eliminate production problems
- Discuss the design of parts and ways in which they will be made and assembled
- Record and analyze data and report their findings
- Design, develop, test and manufacture devices such as tools and engines
Career Quick Facts
- Career Outlook
- Median Salary Average: $61,730
- SC Salary Range: $47,490-$78,700
- 100% placement rate for 2022-2023 graduates
Salary and career information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Physical Demands
- generally: mildly active - some standing, walking
- light lifting (up to 20lbs.) due to working environment
- Entry Level Positions
- Mechanical Technician
- Maintenance Technician
- Junior Engineer
- List of Employers
Some recent graduates have found work at:
- Ascend
- Bosch
- Cardinal Health
- Carolina Fabrication Inc
- Carolina Pride
- Caterpillar
- Center Manufacturing, Inc. (MEC)
- CeramTec North America
- Ceratizit USA
- Correlated Solutions
- Eaton Corporation
- D & D Electronic Services
- Fuji Film
- General Electric
- Georgia-Pacific Corporation
- Greenwood Fabrication & Plating
- Hitachi
- Kimberly Clark
- Komatsu
- Kraft
- Lonza
- Milliken
- Norbord
- Prysmian
- Sage Automotives
- Sapa Extrustions, Inc.
- Sealed Air Corp (Cryovac)
- South Carolina Department of Transportation
- Synergetic Design
- Tran Tec
- US Army Corps of Engineers
- Velux
Program Information
You'll take a variety of courses focused on the different varieties of circuits, engineering technology applications, programming and other courses important to a strong foundation, like algebra, trigonometry and physics.
Coursework includes: Engineering Technology Applications & Programming; Electrical Circuits; Manufacturing Processes; Fluid Mechanics; Dynamics and Thermodynamics; Fundamentals of CAD; Machine Design; and Robotics.
Coursework is strongly application-oriented and includes hands-on labs and project experiences. Students who complete their Associate Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology can also transfer their credit hours toward USC Upstate's Engineering Technology Management B.S. program. The program allows students to complete up to 76 credit hours of the total required 127 credit hours at PTC.
