Integrated Design, Engineering & Automation

Interest Area

Explore exciting careers in advanced technical fields. Students who complete an area of study within the IDEA school will acquire the skills to work in the electrical, electronics, automation, engineering, computer-aided design, photonics or model making fields. Additionally, students may choose to pursue our innovative transfer pathway and earn a university bachelor’s degree in engineering. Areas of study include Engineering, Electrical Technology, Electronic Technology, Drafting & Computer-Aided Design, Photonics, and Design, Model Making, & Rapid Prototyping.

Programs of Study

Fast Track Career Path

Design Model Making and Rapid Prototyping

Drafting

Electrical Technology

Electronic Technology

Engineering

UC Transfer
CSU Transfer
AS
COP

Explore Careers

Industrial Engineering Technicians

Median Salary

$65,299

Job Growth

-7%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
22%

Certificate
1%

Some College
37%

Associate's Degree
26%

Bachelor's Degree
15%

View Career

Apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff. May perform time and motion studies on worker operations in a variety of industries for purposes such as establishing standard production rates or improving efficiency.

New workers start around $37,723. Normal pay is $65,299 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $106,645.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
22%

Certificate
1%

Some College
37%

Associate's Degree
26%

Bachelor's Degree
15%

Core Tasks

Test selected products at specified stages in the production process for performance characteristics or adherence to specifications.
Compile and evaluate statistical data to determine and maintain quality and reliability of products.
Study time, motion, methods, or speed involved in maintenance, production, or other operations to establish standard production rate or improve efficiency.
Read worker logs, product processing sheets, or specification sheets to verify that records adhere to quality assurance specifications.
Verify that equipment is being operated and maintained according to quality assurance standards by observing worker performance.
Aid in planning work assignments in accordance with worker performance, machine capacity, production schedules, or anticipated delays.

Median Salary

$65,299

Job Growth

-7%

Mechanical Engineering Technicians

Median Salary

$73,992

Job Growth

-16%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
4%

Certificate
23%

Some College
5%

Associate's Degree
17%

Bachelor's Degree
51%

View Career

Apply theory and principles of mechanical engineering to modify, develop, test, or adjust machinery and equipment under direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.

New workers start around $43,330. Normal pay is $73,992 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $103,190.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
4%

Certificate
23%

Some College
5%

Associate's Degree
17%

Bachelor's Degree
51%

Core Tasks

Calculate required capacities for equipment of proposed system to obtain specified performance and submit data to engineering personnel for approval.
Review project instructions and blueprints to ascertain test specifications, procedures, and objectives, and test nature of technical problems such as redesign.
Draft detail drawing or sketch for drafting room completion or to request parts fabrication by machine, sheet or wood shops.
Analyze test results in relation to design or rated specifications and test objectives, and modify or adjust equipment to meet specifications.
Record test procedures and results, numerical and graphical data, and recommendations for changes in product or test methods.
Read dials and meters to determine amperage, voltage, electrical output and input at specific operating temperature to analyze parts performance.
Review project instructions and specifications to identify, modify and plan requirements fabrication, assembly and testing.
Set up and conduct tests of complete units and components under operational conditions to investigate proposals for improving equipment performance.

Median Salary

$73,992

Job Growth

-16%

Automotive Engineering Technicians

Median Salary

$73,992

Job Growth

-16%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
4%

Certificate
15%

Some College
4%

Associate's Degree
37%

Bachelor's Degree
30%

Master's Degree
11%

View Career

Assist engineers in determining the practicality of proposed product design changes and plan and carry out tests on experimental test devices or equipment for performance, durability, or efficiency.

New workers start around $43,330. Normal pay is $73,992 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $103,190.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
4%

Certificate
15%

Some College
4%

Associate's Degree
37%

Bachelor's Degree
30%

Master's Degree
11%

Core Tasks

Document test results, using cameras, spreadsheets, documents, or other tools.
Set up mechanical, hydraulic, or electric test equipment in accordance with engineering specifications, standards, or test procedures.
Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, work specifications, drawings, or charts.
Inspect or test parts to determine nature or cause of defects or malfunctions.
Monitor computer-controlled test equipment, according to written or verbal instructions.
Analyze test data for automotive systems, subsystems, or component parts.
Install equipment, such as instrumentation, test equipment, engines, or aftermarket products, to ensure proper interfaces.
Perform or execute manual or automated tests of automotive system or component performance, efficiency, or durability.
Maintain test equipment in operational condition by performing routine maintenance or making minor repairs or adjustments as needed.
Analyze performance of vehicles or components that have been redesigned to increase fuel efficiency, such as camless or dual-clutch engines or alternative types of air-conditioning systems.
Fabricate new or modify existing prototype components or fixtures.
Improve fuel efficiency by testing vehicles or components that use lighter materials, such as aluminum, magnesium alloy, or plastic.
Order new test equipment, supplies, or replacement parts.
Recommend product or component design improvements, based on test data or observations.
Recommend tests or testing conditions in accordance with designs, customer requirements, or industry standards to ensure test validity.
Test performance of vehicles that use alternative fuels, such as alcohol blends, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, biodiesel, nano diesel, or alternative power methods, such as solar energy or hydrogen fuel cells.
Build instrumentation or laboratory test equipment for special purposes.
Participate in research or testing of computerized automotive applications, such as telemetrics, intelligent transportation systems, artificial intelligence, or automatic control.

Median Salary

$73,992

Job Growth

-16%

Non-Destructive Testing Specialists

Median Salary

$61,423

Job Growth

+6%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
45%

Certificate
10%

Some College
5%

Associate's Degree
25%

Bachelor's Degree
15%

View Career

Test the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using x-ray, ultrasound, fiber optic or related equipment.

New workers start around $36,865. Normal pay is $61,423 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $103,807.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
45%

Certificate
10%

Some College
5%

Associate's Degree
25%

Bachelor's Degree
15%

Core Tasks

Interpret or evaluate test results in accordance with applicable codes, standards, specifications, or procedures.
Interpret the results of all methods of non-destructive testing (NDT), such as acoustic emission, electromagnetic, leak, liquid penetrant, magnetic particle, neutron radiographic, radiographic, thermal or infrared, ultrasonic, vibration analysis, and visual testing.
Examine structures or vehicles such as aircraft, trains, nuclear reactors, bridges, dams, and pipelines, using non-destructive testing techniques.
Select, calibrate, or operate equipment used in the non-destructive testing of products or materials.
Identify defects in solid materials, using ultrasonic testing techniques.
Prepare reports on non-destructive testing results.
Document non-destructive testing methods, processes, or results.
Supervise or direct the work of non-destructive testing trainees or staff.
Produce images of objects on film, using radiographic techniques.
Make radiographic images to detect flaws in objects while leaving objects intact.
Map the presence of imperfections within objects, using sonic measurements.
Conduct liquid penetrant tests to locate surface cracks by coating objects with fluorescent dyes, cleaning excess penetrant, and applying developer.
Visually examine materials, structures, or components for signs of corrosion, metal fatigue, cracks, or other flaws, using tools and equipment such as endoscopes, closed-circuit television systems, and fiber optics.

Median Salary

$61,423

Job Growth

+6%

Surveying and Mapping Technicians

Median Salary

$82,913

Job Growth

+2%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
25%

Certificate
21%

Some College
17%

Associate's Degree
33%

Bachelor's Degree
4%

View Career

Perform surveying and mapping duties, usually under the direction of an engineer, surveyor, cartographer, or photogrammetrist, to obtain data used for construction, mapmaking, boundary location, mining, or other purposes. May calculate mapmaking information and create maps from source data, such as surveying notes, aerial photography, satellite data, or other maps to show topographical features, political boundaries, and other features. May verify accuracy and completeness of maps.

New workers start around $47,547. Normal pay is $82,913 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $126,400.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
25%

Certificate
21%

Some College
17%

Associate's Degree
33%

Bachelor's Degree
4%

Core Tasks

Position and hold the vertical rods, or targets, that theodolite operators use for sighting to measure angles, distances, and elevations.
Check all layers of maps to ensure accuracy, identifying and marking errors and making corrections.
Design or develop information databases that include geographic or topographic data.
Monitor mapping work or the updating of maps to ensure accuracy, inclusion of new or changed information, or compliance with rules and regulations.
Produce or update overlay maps to show information boundaries, water locations, or topographic features on various base maps or at different scales.
Determine scales, line sizes, or colors to be used for hard copies of computerized maps, using plotters.
Compile information necessary to stake projects for construction, using engineering plans.
Identify and compile database information to create requested maps.
Operate and manage land-information computer systems, performing tasks such as storing data, making inquiries, and producing plots and reports.
Compare survey computations with applicable standards to determine adequacy of data.
Analyze aerial photographs to detect and interpret significant military, industrial, resource, or topographical data.
Research and combine existing property information to describe property boundaries in relation to adjacent properties, taking into account parcel splits, combinations, or land boundary adjustments.
Calculate latitudes, longitudes, angles, areas, or other information for mapmaking, using survey field notes or reference tables.
Compare topographical features or contour lines with images from aerial photographs, old maps, or other reference materials to verify the accuracy of their identification.
Trace contours or topographic details to generate maps that denote specific land or property locations or geographic attributes.
Provide assistance in the development of methods and procedures for conducting field surveys.
Trim, align, and join prints to form photographic mosaics, maintaining scaled distances between reference points.

Median Salary

$82,913

Job Growth

+2%

Geological Technicians

Median Salary

$76,017

Job Growth

-13%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
14%

Certificate
6%

Some College
5%

Associate's Degree
18%

Bachelor's Degree
29%

Master's Degree
28%

View Career

Assist scientists or engineers in the use of electronic, sonic, or nuclear measuring instruments in laboratory, exploration, and production activities to obtain data indicating resources such as metallic ore, minerals, gas, coal, or petroleum. Analyze mud and drill cuttings. Chart pressure, temperature, and other characteristics of wells or bore holes.

New workers start around $35,595. Normal pay is $76,017 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $108,827.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
14%

Certificate
6%

Some College
5%

Associate's Degree
18%

Bachelor's Degree
29%

Master's Degree
28%

Core Tasks

Test and analyze samples to determine their content and characteristics, using laboratory apparatus or testing equipment.
Collect or prepare solid or fluid samples for analysis.
Compile, log, or record testing or operational data for review and further analysis.
Prepare notes, sketches, geological maps, or cross-sections.
Participate in geological, geophysical, geochemical, hydrographic, or oceanographic surveys, prospecting field trips, exploratory drilling, well logging, or underground mine survey programs.
Prepare or review professional, technical, or other reports regarding sampling, testing, or recommendations of data analysis.
Adjust or repair testing, electrical, or mechanical equipment or devices.
Read and study reports in order to compile information and data for geological and geophysical prospecting.
Interview individuals, and research public databases in order to obtain information.
Plot information from aerial photographs, well logs, section descriptions, or other databases.
Assemble, maintain, or distribute information for library or record systems.

Median Salary

$76,017

Job Growth

-13%

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Integrated Design, Engineering & Automation

School of Integrated Design, Engineering and Automation Contact

Programs of Study

Design Model Making and Rapid Prototyping

Drafting

Electrical Technology

Electronic Technology

Engineering

Explore Careers

Industrial Engineering Technicians

Mechanical Engineering Technicians

Automotive Engineering Technicians

Non-Destructive Testing Specialists

Surveying and Mapping Technicians

Geological Technicians

Is this Interest Area right for you?

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Find Your Path

Opportunities

Communities

About IVC

Become an IVC Student

Admission Support

Plan Your Classes

Get Ready for College

Guide to Paying for College

Financial Support

Costs & Payments

Supporting You

Counseling & Support Programs

Academic Help

Safety & Wellness

Welcome Lasers

Get Involved

Your Community

Campus

Finish Your Path at IVC

Transfer

Earn Your Degree or Certificate

Transcripts & Records

Integrated Design, Engineering & Automation

School of Integrated Design, Engineering and Automation Contact

Programs of Study

Design Model Making and Rapid Prototyping

Drafting

Electrical Technology

Electronic Technology

Engineering

Explore Careers

Industrial Engineering Technicians

Mechanical Engineering Technicians

Automotive Engineering Technicians

Non-Destructive Testing Specialists

Surveying and Mapping Technicians

Geological Technicians

Is this Interest Area right for you?

Business Sciences

Humanities

Kinesiology, Health & Athletics

Languages & Learning Resources

Life Sciences & Technologies

Mathematics & Computer Science

Physical Sciences

Social & Behavioral Sciences

The Arts

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