Technical engineers, also referred to as engineering technologists, solve technical problems that arise in research and development, manufacturing, sales, construction, inspection and maintenance. Job descriptions for technical engineers vary, depending on which discipline is chosen. The following technical engineers will be examined in this article: Mechanical Engineering Technologist, Civil Engineering Technologist, Environmental Engineering Technologist and Electrical Engineering Technologist. These are just a few of the existing disciplines that make up the engineering technology field. Each discipline is different and requires different skill sets.

Mechanical Engineering Technologist

Mechanical engineering technologists work with mechanical engineers in the design, testing and repair of mechanical systems. These systems include items such as engines, tools, machines and other mechanical devices. Mechanical engineering technicians record data from tests, analyze the data and report their findings back to the engineer. They also review design drawings and blueprints, and verify measurement. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this industry is expected to grow by 5% by 2022. This field also has a mean annual salary of $51,980.

Civil Engineering Technologist

Civil Engineering Technologists work under licensed civil engineers to design roadways, bridges, utility networks and other needed infrastructures. This includes getting cost estimates for system installations, inspecting and reviewing blueprints and plan designs, and inspecting and evaluating construction site locations. Since civil engineering technicians are not licensed, they cannot approve plans or designs, and they cannot supervise the overall project. Employment within this field is expected to have little or no growth by 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The mean annual salary for this field is $47,560.

Environmental Engineering Technologist

Environmental engineering technologists follow the plans laid out by environmental engineers. These technicians handle pollution management, environmental surveys, data collection and analysis, and verify the overall quality of the environment. Proper disposal of harmful and hazardous waste is also the responsibility of environmental engineering technicians. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this field is projected to grow by 22% by 2022. It has a mean annual salary of $45,350.

Electrical Engineering Technologist

Electrical engineering technologists assist engineers in the design of computers, monitors and other electrical devices that will be used in a residential, commercial, or military environment. This requires equipment design, testing and problem-solving skills. Once a problem and solution are identified, electrical engineering technologists must also be able to physically correct the problem. This could be as simple as moving a wire or as complicated as replacing a computer chip on a circuit board. This field is expected to have little or no change in growth by 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The mean annual salary for electrical engineering technicians is $57,850.