Engineering Technology - Mechanical

Engineering Technology - Mechanical - Certificate - SolidWorks

Prepare for your engineering and design career through this program. Then, work in an engineering office environment at structural engineering companies, architectural firms, refineries, construction companies, or manufacturing firms.

Learn computer-aided drawing and design skills to use as a mechanical engineering technician, mechanical drafter, engineering technician, or production planner.

 

Employment Information

Data are provided on a program (not credential) level

82% BTC graduate placement rate1

$50,741 starting annual wage2
$61,244 average annual wage2
$76,672 potential annual wage2

  • Employment and Wage Data Sources

    1Employment data come from the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) and reflect WA/OR employment for students enrolled at BTC between 2017-18 and 2019-20. Students are included in the employment rate if they left with a credential. Rates are not shown for programs with fewer than 10 students meeting the above criteria.

    2Whatcom County and WA State wage data come from Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) 2021 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates and reflect 2018-21 employment. Wage data represent occupations that BTC faculty have identified as the most relevant career paths for program graduates. Note that these wages reflect employees with varying educational levels/credentials. For cases in which multiple occupations have been identified by faculty, a weighted percentile is calculated using each occupation’s percentile wage and employment size estimate. Wages are not shown for programs for which occupations do not meet the ESD’s minimum thresholds for publishing. If the program has wage data from the Washington SBCTC that involves shift work, these ESD wages reflect the same number of hours used in the annual wage calculation. Starting wage = 25th percentile, median wage = 50th percentile, wage potential = 75th percentile.

Entry Information

When Can I Start?

Students may begin working toward this certificate quarterly.

What are the Minimum Entry Requirements?

Admissions application and assessment testing in Reading, Math and Writing is required. Your score on the test and/or your previous transcripts will determine where you begin your course sequence. Contact Admissions at 360.752.8345 or at admissions@btc.edu for assistance with academic planning.

What are My Next Steps?

1. Apply to BTC and Financial Aid
2. Assess Your Starting Point
3. Advising & Registration
4. Prepare to Attend

 

Classes

Total Program Credits: 15

  • Current Students: Learn how to use this page to register for classes

  • Engineering

  • ENGR 115Graphics5 CR
  • ENGR 180Parametric Modeling5 CR
  • ENGT 222Advanced Parametric Modeling5 CR

Program Outcomes

Employment Outlook

Faculty & Support

Photo of Scott Reiss
Scott Reiss

Scott Reiss is tenured faculty at BTC where he has been instructing the Mechanical Engineering Technology program since 2003. Scott has over 20 years of industry based mechanical engineering experience. Before Scott joined BTC he owned and operated J. Scott Reiss Consulting, where he performed 3D solid modeling, stress analysis, and patent work for various clients. For ten years prior to that, Scott worked for the PACCAR Technical Center in Mount Vernon as a stress analyst. In this capacity, Scott performed finite element analysis and developed testing strategies to support the development of new class 8 trucks and remedy issues with existing vehicles. Other work experience includes jobs on the east coast where Scott worked in R&D labs developing products and performing test and analysis work.

  • Degrees and Credentials

    Certificate, Professional Technical Education, Washington State

    EIT, Engineer in Training, State of Vermont

    BS, Mechanical Engineering, University of Vermont

    MS, Mechanical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Photo of Timothy Stettler
Timothy Stettler

Tim Stettler is a Civil Engineering Instructor at Bellingham Technical College (BTC). He has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Washington State University and an A.A.S. in Civil Engineering from Spokane Community College. In addition to his 14 year role at BTC, Tim worked with the Spokane County Engineering Department and with other private engineering firms for a total seven years designing and constructing a variety of Infrastructure projects including stream restoration and mitigation, roadway, bridge, sewer, and waterline projects. Tim also has 18 years of heavy industrial construction and construction management experience. His most recent projects have included the Ronald Regan Office building, the Seventh and Flower subway station, and the Palisades Promenade Building in Los Angeles California. He has also worked on refineries, power plants, and waste to energy plants.

  • Degrees and Credentials

    Certificate, Radiation Safety and Use of Nuclear Gauges, CPN International

    AAS, Civil Engineering, Spokane Community College

    BS, Civil Engineering, Washington State University

    Certificate, Professional Technical Education, Washington State

    Certificate, Engineer-in-Training, State of Washington