Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers build, test and prepare automated machinery containing electronic sensing devices that monitor, control, or activate mechanical operations.

Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers may:    

Read blueprints or written instructions

Position parts needed to assemble various equipment

Fasten the parts together using hand tools

Solder electrical components in place 

Measure dimensions/clearance of parts so that they meet specifications

Adjust assemblies so that mechanical process (es) may be completed

Test the electrical and mechanical reliability of assemblies

Drill, ream, or tap holes when needed to complete assembly

Tools, equipment, and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers may specialize in these areas:

710.281-018 ELECTRO MECHANICAL TECHNICIANS fabricate, test, and adjust precision electromechanical instruments, such as gyroscope units, temperature probes, altimeters, telemetering equipment, and aerodynamic probes.

828.381-018 ELECTROMECHANICAL EQUIPMENT ASSEMBLER build, test, and prepare automated machinery containing electronic sensing devices that monitor, control, or activate mechanical operations.

706.381-018 FINAL ASSEMBLERS install and adjust feed drives, control key assemblies, and printing units contained on new or rebuilt punched card office machines.

706.381-050 PRECISION BENCH ASSEMBLERS put together machined parts to make aircraft and missile assemblies. These parts include landing gear struts, actuators, brakes, control linkages, gear box mechanisms, and fueling equipment.

ELECTROMECHANICAL ASSEMBLERS put together and test solid-fuel powered mechanical and electromechanical devices, such as aircraft ejection seat mechanisms.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration scripts:

  WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers usually work alone under general supervision. Some of them might work as team members. Electromechanical Technicians may work in manufacturing plants, branch facilities, and in customers' facilities.

Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers generally work in clean, well lighted, and well ventilated manufacturing facilities. Technicians who make customer service calls find a variety of conditions at different worksites. However, because of the sensitivity of many electromechanical components, a clean, controlled environment must be maintained for proper equipment function. Assemblers may be subject to eyestrain from working with tiny parts and tools. Some Assemblers must stand for long periods of time. Precision Bench Assemblers are usually seated at their work area.

Assemblers generally work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week; although schedules may vary. Large plants may have more than one shift. Overtime may be necessary to meet production or customer deadlines. Those Technicians who do field work or maintenance may work irregular hours, evenings, or weekends while equipment is being installed or repaired. Travel on short notice may also be necessary. These workers may experience layoffs during recessions or reductions of government contracts.

Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers may belong to many different unions depending on the industry in which they are employed. Some major unions are: International Union  of Electronic, Electrical, Technical, Salaried, Machine and Furniture Workers; International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers; and United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW). While in college, Society Electromechanical Technicians may join the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers or the Instrument of America. Union or association members must pay periodic dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Working with your hands to make and assemble things

• Doing work involving machines, processes, or methods

• Activities which bring satisfaction from working on/producing things

You Should Be Able To:

• Visualize flat drawings or pictures with three dimensions

• See detail in objects or drawings

• Recognize slight differences in shapes or shadings

• Work skillfully with your hands, if an Electromechanical Technician

• Rate information using standards that can be verified

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

• Perform a variety of tasks which may change often

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

Determine the net force required to give a 4.50 kilogram object an acceleration of 1.50 meters per second squared.

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

An observed change in motion, including motion starting from rest, is evidence of a force. This leads to a common definition of force: A force is something capable of changing an object's state of motion.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write an efficiency report explaining the quality of the operation of different components.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to look at a component that is malfunctioning and decide the best way to correct it.

Employers seek workers who can do routine, uncomplicated, and sometimes repetitive tasks while remaining motivated. Some Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers use heavy press machinery and, therefore, must be 18 years of age or older. Some employers prefer to hire Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers who have associate degrees with a specialty in electronics or mechanical technology.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OP  PORT UNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent or a High School Diploma with specific Vocational Education Classes or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond High School) or an Apprenticeship (usually three to four years of training beyond High School) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1200 ELECTRONICS , 2200 MATH  , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

029 MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Approved vocational education programs in Manufacturing Technology prepare students for one or more occupations in manufacturing. The cluster of courses provides for occupational competence which can be applied to many job titles in manufacturing. Courses in other trade and industrial programs may be required for completion of this program.

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

034 BUSINESS & VENDING MACHINE REPAIRER

Approved vocational education programs in Business and Vending Machine maintenance prepare students to maintain and repair a variety of office machines, calculators, data-processing equipment, duplicating machines, and word processing machines as well as vending machines and related equipment. Instruction is given in diagnosing and testing, and the principles of the mechanics, electricity, and electronics of office machines.

The following courses may be required for completion of this program:

BUSINESS MACHINES

VENDING MACHINES

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

052 ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN

Programs in Electrical and Electronics Technology provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment servicing electrical and electronics systems, appliances, and motors. Individuals who teach Electrical and Electronics Technology at the secondary school level must have a  Michigan Teaching Certificate .

Courses within this program will vary but may include:

098 MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY

Programs in Mechanical Technology provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment in the design, manufacture, testing, operation, and maintenance of devices, tools, and mechanical equipment. Individuals who teach Mechanical Technology at the secondary school level must have a  Michigan Teaching Certificate .

Courses will vary from school to school but may include:

  Search for a College and/or Instructional Program   

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

006 AUTOMATED EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN

Some people enter occupations within this Career Exploration script through an apprenticeship program. An apprenticeship program is a formal program that takes 3 - 5 years to complete with most of the time spent on the job.

WHAT IS LEARNED ON THE JOB

WHAT IS LEARNED IN THE CLASSROOM

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this Career Exploration script.    

E-Learning Courses and Programs    

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Secondary vocational education programs in business and vending machine repair or manufacturing technology and postsecondary programs in mechanical technology or electrical and electronics technology may offer co-op portions including practical experience. Students may find summer or part-time jobs in manufacturing plants employing these workers .

           School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Electromec

hanical Equipment Assembler employer

internships

volunteer work with a Electromechanical Equipment Assembler employer

community service work with an agency

Student membership in the   Instrument Society of America's (ISA) Student Sections , located at many technical institutions, is helpful. Experience in electronics or electromechanical technology may be obtained through a formal apprenticeship.

The most common method of entry is direct application to employers. Graduates of technical institutes or colleges may find a job through their school placement office. Assistance in finding a job may be available through Michigan Works! & union locals. Openings are listed in the ISA's monthly publication "Instrumentation Technology" and newspaper want ads. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Instrument Society of America's Job Openings

AssemblerJobs.com

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal

Michigan Talent Bank

Simply Hired

Indeed | one search. all jobs

Monster jobs

CareerBuilder

Yahoo! HotJobs

            You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers vary according to the skill level needed in the assembly process, the type of product assembled, the size and location of the plant, and extent of unionization.

Nationally, the average hourly earnings of production workers in industries employing Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers in late 2005 ranged between $12.63 and $21.21. Workers employed in the aircraft and guided missiles, space vehicles and parts industries had the highest earnings. The median hourly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S.  were $16.28 in 2005.    

Production workers in Michigan  , including Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers, had hourly earnings averaging $21.83 in early 2006.    

Electromechanical Field Service Technicians in the Great Lakes  region, which includes Michigan , earned between $17.60 and $23.22 hourly in early 2006, with most averaging $21.44 per hour.

  Hourly wages in various areas of Michigan  were (2005):

Depending on the employer, Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers may receive paid vacations and holidays; life; accident, disability, health, dental and optical insurance; sick pay; tuition reimbursement; and retirement plans. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer.

Opportunities for advancement in electromechanical equipment assembly work are good, especially for the Assembler with strong skills and extra training in electronics. The likeliest candidate for promotion has well developed technical skills, seniority, leadership potential, and a sense of responsibility. Additional advancement could lead to a position as a supervisor or to a position as sales representative.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were about 52,300 Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers employed in 2004. Employment of these Assemblers is expected to decline through the year 2014. The industry distribution for Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers looked like this:

Foreign competition in the industrial sectors employing Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers will reduce the number of employment openings for these workers.

Dwindling defense spending has adversely affected the industries employing Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers. Among those industries are construction and metal working machinery, automotive, aerospace, and shipbuilding. Additional pressure from foreign markets is particularly strong in merchant ship-building and metalworking machinery.

Robotic equipment which is mainly used by the domestic automobile industry will continue to expand slowly due to controlled usage of existing plant capacity by major auto producers and suppliers in the United States  . Also, many small robotics manufacturers find it more profitable to import a basic robot from overseas and to adapt the machine or add software to tailor the robot to the needs of the user.

Approximately 1,800 Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers were employed in Michigan  .   Most of these Assemblers worked in or near large cities.

Employment of Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers in Michigan  is expected to decline through the year 2012. An average of 40 openings is expected annually, due to the replacement of workers who retire or leave the occupation for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations.

The trend of increased automation of industrial processes will assure some employment opportunities for Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers. However, general down-sizing of the automotive industry has reduced the number of employment opportunities for Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers. Michigan  is one of the leading states in research and development of robotic devices. Robotics, along with the computer and business machine industries, will provide some limited openings for those workers who combine electronic, electrical, and mechanical skills.

MICHIGAN  'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2012      

MSA designates a Metropolitan Statistical Area       

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL  INFO RMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources marked below.

Copyright © 2006 Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth