Mechanical technicians specialize in the maintenance, design, layout and performance of machines and equipment. The mechanical technician may work on industrial, electrical, manufacturing or transportation equipment. Whether he is a mechanical engineering technician, an electromechanical technician or an industrial-mechanical technician, he knows the ins and outs of how a machine works.

Mechanical Technicians

A general mechanical technician does not have a specialty area. The primary focus of his job is maintenance, service and repair of facilities and equipment. He is sometimes referred to as a mechanic and he may work in a variety of industries. To earn his position, the mechanical technician must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Some employers also require a degree from a technical program or college in the employer's field. For instance, a mechanical technician working for a water treatment plant may have a wastewater treatment plant operations certification. Mechanical technicians may also need a commercial driver's license if their job involves driving large, commercial vehicles.

Mechanical Engineering Technicians

A mechanical engineering technician's primary focus is on assisting a mechanical engineer in designing, developing and testing machinery or products. She may estimate costs of projects, prepare layouts and drawings of parts, review blueprints or assemble parts and equipment. She also may perform tests on a finished product, looking for potential improvements or alterations she and the engineer can make. To earn her position, she generally must hold at least an associate's level degree in an engineering technology field.

Electromechanical Technicians

An electromechanical technician operates, tests, maintains and calibrates machines and equipment that is unmanned, automated, servo-mechanical, or electromechanical. An electromechanical technician may operate an unmanned submarine, unmanned aircraft, equipment at oil rigs or equipment at hazardous removal sites. He may also assist an engineer in testing and developing robotics equipment, O*Net reports. To obtain his position, he must have an associate's level degree or on-the-job experience.

Industrial-Mechanical Technician

The last type of mechanical technician is an industrial-mechanical technician. Her focus area is factory equipment and industrial machinery, such as conveying systems and packaging equipment. She may read technical manuals to understand how equipment functions, take apart machines that are experiencing problems and repair or replace malfunctioning parts. She may also test and calibrate equipment to ensure it runs properly. To earn her position, an industrial-mechanical technician needs at least a high school diploma or equivalent. However, many employers prefer an associate's degree in industrial maintenance or from an industrial mechanical technician program.