Mechanical Engineering Technology Bachelor of Science Degree

Mechanical Engineering Technology
Bachelor of Science Degree
- RIT /
- College of Engineering Technology /
- Academics /
- Mechanical Engineering Technology BS
RIT's mechanical engineering technology degree teaches you how products and machinery work through course work and hands-on experiences.
$75K
Median First-Year Salary of RIT Graduates from this degree
71%
required courses in the College of Engineering Technology for this major have a lab component
#2
Best Engineering Job: Mechanical Engineer
Overview for Mechanical Engineering Technology BS
Why Pursue a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology at RIT?
Two Dynamic Options: Tailor your degree with an option in robotics and automation or product design.
Gain Real-World Experience: Required cooperative education means hands-on, full-time, paid work experience at top companies in industry.
Jobs at Industry Leading Companies: Recent graduates with a degree in mechanical engineering technology are employed at Amazon Robotics, Tesla, NASA, SpaceX, Apple, Boeing, Rivian, Lockheed Martin, L3Harris and more.
Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Available: Earn both your bachelor’s and your master’s in less time and with a cost savings, giving you a competitive advantage in your field.
STEM-OPT Visa Eligible: The STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) program allows full-time, on-campus international students on an F-1 student visa to stay and work in the U.S. for up to three years after graduation.
What is Mechanical Engineering Technology?
From consumer products to high-performance automobiles (electric vehicles, autonomous driving), aerospace systems (rockets, jets, drones), to bioengineered devices, and energy technologies, mechanical engineering technology has changed society for the better. Understanding how products and machinery work, as well as how to design, manufacture, or use technology to develop mechanical systems is the focus of RIT's bachelor of mechanical engineering technology. Mechanical engineering technology involves understanding how products and machinery work and how to design, make or use them.
RIT's Mechanical Engineering Technology Degree
In our mechanical engineering technology BS, you'll study the foundations of mechanics, materials, and energy. You will learn technical skills such as:
- Computer-aided design (CAD)
- Generative design
- Materials characterization
- Mechanical system analysis and design
- Thermal-fluid system design
- Product design and development
You also will learn to apply these principles and skills to the various fields of mechanical engineering technology--such as product and machine design, power generation, energy management, and advanced manufacturing--through laboratories and design projects. Full-time students gain valuable industrial experience through the required cooperative education program. Students may select an option in robotics and automation or product design.
What Can You Do with a Mechanical Engineering Technology Degree?
The mechanical engineering technology major develops well-rounded engineers as lifelong learners with the ability to adapt, grow, and succeed in a highly competitive workplace. The required cooperative education experience enables students to be well-prepared to step into professional positions after graduation and be immediately productive in jobs that include product development, machine design, and analysis, alternative energy, manufacturing engineering, or systems engineering.
Mechanical Engineering Technology Curriculum
RIT’s degree in mechanical engineering technology offers select concentrations in one of the following areas:
- Alternative energy
- Heating/ventilating/air conditioning (HVAC)
- Machine design and analysis
- Materials engineering
- Product development
- Thermofluids engineering
The curriculum offers some flexibility in enabling you to customize your own concentration based on your career objectives or personal interests.
Options
The mechanical engineering technology major offers two options that enable you to further develop an area of expertise.
- The product design option allows for specialized study in all engineering aspects of product ideation, innovation, design confirmation, and design validation.
- The robotics and automation option allows for specialized study in all engineering aspects of industrial and collaborative (cobots) robotics along with automation/controls.
Careers in Mechanical Engineering Technology
A bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering technology can lead to a range of exciting careers in mechanical engineering technology, including positions such as:
- Mechanical engineer
- Digital manufacturing engineer
- Process engineer
- Quality engineer
- Algorithm engineer
- Sales engineer
Graduates are in demand, and companies such as GE, General Motors, Stanley Black & Decker, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and many others seek out our graduates.
High-Performance Teams and Professional Organizations
Many mechanical engineering students participate in high-octane performance teams, including the RIT Formula SAE Racing Team, the SAE Aerodesign Club, the RIT Baja SAE Team, RIT SAE Clean Snowmobile Team, and the Human-Powered Vehicle Competition team. They also are encouraged to participate in the student chapters of professional societies such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers, the National Society of Black Engineers, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and the Society of Automotive Engineers.
Engineering vs. Engineering Technology
Two dynamic areas of study, both with outstanding outcomes rates. Which do you choose?
What’s the difference between engineering and engineering technology? It’s a question we’re asked all the time. While there are subtle differences in the course work between the two, choosing a major in engineering vs. engineering technology is more about identifying what you like to do and how you like to do it.
Combined Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degrees
Today’s careers require advanced degrees grounded in real-world experience. RIT’s Combined Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degrees enable you to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in as little as five years of study, all while gaining the valuable hands-on experience that comes from co-ops, internships, research, study abroad, and more.
- Mechanical Engineering Technology/Manufacturing and Mechanical Systems Integration MS: Fast-track your success with this dynamic accelerated dual-degree pathway in mechanical engineering technology BS and manufacturing and mechanical systems integration MS. Drive the design, development, and implementation of everything from high-performance automobiles (electric and autonomous driving) to aerospace systems (rockets, jets, drones) to bioengineered devices, energy technologies, and consumer products. Deep dive into mechanical or manufacturing engineering and round out your tool belt with a career-ready business and management skillset from manufacturing and mechanical systems integration MS.
- +1 MBA: Students who enroll in a qualifying undergraduate degree have the opportunity to add an MBA to their bachelor’s degree after their first year of study, depending on their program. Learn how the +1 MBA can accelerate your learning and position you for success.
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Meet us on campus
Learn about academics, co-op and internships, financial aid, and more at one of our on-campus open houses.
October 13 | October 25 | November 8
Careers and Cooperative Education
Typical Job Titles
Mechanical Engineer | Digital Manufacturing Engineer | Process Engineer |
Product Development Engineer | Quality Engineer | Algorithm Engineer |
Sales Engineer | Controls Engineer | Design Engineer |
Industries
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Aerospace
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Automotive
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Biotech and Life Sciences
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Consumer Packaged Goods
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Defense
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Government (Local, State, Federal)
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Manufacturing
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Telecommunications
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Transportation and Logistics
Cooperative Education
What’s different about an RIT education? It’s the career experience you gain by completing cooperative education and internships with top companies in every single industry. You’ll earn more than a degree. You’ll gain real-world career experience that sets you apart. It’s exposure–early and often–to a variety of professional work environments, career paths, and industries.
Co-ops and internships take your knowledge and turn it into know-how. Your engineering co-ops will provide hands-on experience that enables you to apply your engineering knowledge in professional settings while you make valuable connections between classwork and real-world applications.
Students in the mechanical engineering technology degree are required to complete four co-op blocks. This typically includes one spring, one fall, and two summer blocks. You'll alternate periods of full-time study with full-time paid work experience in your career field. In some circumstances, other forms of experiential education (e.g., study abroad, research, military service) may be used to fulfill part of the co-op requirement. Each student is assigned a co-op advisor to assist in identifying and applying to co-op opportunities.
Featured Work and Profiles
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Undecided to Unstoppable: An Alum's Drive to Innovate as a GM Manufacturing Process Engineer
Discover how an undecided RIT student found his calling in Mechanical Engineering Technology, graduated in '24, is now powering iconic vehicles as a Manufacturing Process Engineer at General Motors.
Read More about Undecided to Unstoppable: An Alum's Drive to Innovate as a GM Manufacturing Process Engineer -
Taking Flight on Co-op: Student Discovers her Passion for Production at Honda Aircraft Co.
Allison Fink, a Manufacturing Engineering Technology student, always wondered how machines worked. Her co-op at Honda Aircraft Co. gave her the ultimate real-world experience, taking her from the...
Read More about Taking Flight on Co-op: Student Discovers her Passion for Production at Honda Aircraft Co. -
Student-Professor Duo's Cutting-Edge Prosthetic Sensor Research
Leila Daly, a fifth-year computer engineering technology student, is working with assistant professor, Krittika Goyal, to develop a sensor system for a more touch-responsive prosthetic finger that’s...
Read More about Student-Professor Duo's Cutting-Edge Prosthetic Sensor Research -
Engineering Students Enhance Healthcare Services in Guatemala
RIT students, collaborating with Engineering World Health, traveled to Guatemala to repair essential medical equipment, enhancing local hospital capabilities and gaining valuable international...
Read More about Engineering Students Enhance Healthcare Services in Guatemala -
Student Transforms Industrial Robot into Cutting-Edge Teaching Tool
Pete Van Camp Pete Van Camp upgraded an industrial robot as part of his capstone project, transforming it into a cutting-edge tool for future robotics training at RIT, blending hands-on problem-solving with real...
Read More about Student Transforms Industrial Robot into Cutting-Edge Teaching Tool -
Robotics in ASL (American Sign Language)
College of Engineering Technology students at RIT use the vision system on an ABB robot to detect finger spelling of ASL (American Sign Language), which translated to the robot to write the letters....
Read More about Robotics in ASL (American Sign Language)
Curriculum for 2025-2026 for Mechanical Engineering Technology BS
Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements
Admissions and Financial Aid
This program is STEM designated when studying on campus and full time.
First-Year Admission
First-year applicants are expected to demonstrate a strong academic background that includes:
- 4 years of English
- 3 years of social studies and/or history
- 3 years of math is required and must include algebra, geometry, and algebra 2/trigonometry. Pre-calculus is preferred.
- 2-3 years of science. Chemistry or physics is required and biology is recommended.
- Technology electives are preferred.
Transfer Admission
Transfer applicants should meet these minimum degree-specific requirements:
- A minimum of college algebra is required. Pre-calculus or calculus is preferred.
- Chemistry or physics is required.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
100% of all incoming first-year and transfer students receive aid.
RIT’s personalized and comprehensive financial aid program includes scholarships, grants, loans, and campus employment programs. When all these are put to work, your actual cost may be much lower than the published estimated cost of attendance.
Learn more about financial aid and scholarships
Accreditation
Resources
Access Resources for students including academic advisors, student clubs and organizations, documents, technical information and support, and software help.
Related News
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April 10, 2025
RIT honors two faculty members with Russell C. McCarthy Endowed Professorships
The Endowed Professorship reflects the College of Engineering Technology's faculty connections to industry and its preparation of the next generation of industry professionals.
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October 31, 2024
Student spotlight: Fine tuning a sense of touch
Fine tuning sensors on prosthetics includes incorporating the sense of touch into a device to be as close to the sensations felt by a natural limb as can be. Leila Daly, a fifth-year computer engineering technology student from Willingboro, N.J., is working on developing a sensor system for a more touch-responsive prosthetic finger.
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September 25, 2024
RIT fall University-wide Career Fair brings employment opportunities to student job seekers
Nearly 4,000 RIT students looking for co-ops, internships, or full-time employment attended RIT’s University-wide Career Fair on Sept. 25 in the Gordon Field House and Activities Center.
Contact
- Cecilia Creel Gomez
- Senior Staff Assistant
- Department of Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology
- College of Engineering Technology
- 585‑475‑2270
- cccmet@rit.edu
Department of Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology