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Not Mechanical Engineering. You cut, weld, machine, and fit by hand. CAD, simulation, and design work sits with the engineers.
Field
Mechanical & Fabrication Trades
Machining, welding, fabricating, and assembling metal components and mechanical systems. 14 roles in this field, part of Skilled Trades & Technical.
14 roles12 to 13 chapters a path15 to 30 min a day
Where the work happens
- Job shops and machine shops
- Heavy industrial plants and refineries
- Shipyards and defense fabrication
- Construction sites and field service
- Semiconductor fabs and cleanrooms
Explore the paths
Roles in this field
Boilermaker12 chapters · About 4–5 monthsBuilds and repairs boilers and large tanks, working with heavy materials and safety standards.Cleanroom High-Purity Welder12 chapters · About 4–5 monthsSpecialty pipe-welding role for semiconductor fabs. Listed in CHIPS Act priorities.CNC Operator12 chapters · About 4–5 monthsRuns CNC machines to produce precise parts by following programs and measuring results.CNC Programmer12 chapters · About 4–5 monthsCreates and edits CNC programs and setups to machine parts accurately and efficiently.Hydraulic Technician12 chapters · About 3–5 monthsBuilds and repairs hydraulic systems used in heavy equipment and industrial machinery.Industrial Machinery Mechanic12 chapters · About 4–5 monthsInstalls, maintains, and repairs industrial machines to keep production running safely.Machinist12 chapters · About 4–5 monthsUses machine tools to make precision parts from metal or plastic.Metrology Technician12 chapters · About 4–5 monthsMeasures parts with precision tools and supports investigations when results are out of spec.Millwright12 chapters · About 4–5 monthsAligns, installs, and repairs heavy machinery using precision tools and mechanical knowledge.Pipefitter13 chapters · About 5–6 monthsInstalls and repairs piping systems for water, steam, chemicals, or gas in industrial sites.Robotic Welding Cell Technician12 chapters · About 4–5 monthsSets up and runs robot welding cells, blending weld skill with robot programming and quality checks.Sheet Metal Worker12 chapters · About 4–5 monthsFabricates and installs sheet metal parts for buildings, equipment, and industrial systems.Tool and Die Maker12 chapters · About 4–5 monthsBuilds and repairs tools and dies used to shape and cut parts in manufacturing.Welder12 chapters · About 4–5 monthsJoins and repairs metal parts using welding techniques and safety practices.
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- Where the field is going, and its specialist areas
- What people earn at each stage, and where they find jobs
- Common mistakes, from hiring managers
- Updated monthly, with sources
Start exploring Mechanical & Fabrication Trades.
14 roles, each with a path of its own.
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