Physical and Engineering Science Technicians I

How to become a machining or Tooling technician

Official title: Machining/Tooling technician

Also called: Aerospace machining specialist, Machine building specialist, Machining and tooling technician, Machining technician, Mould designer, Semi-conductor tooling specialist, Tool and die designer, Tool designer, Tooling technician, Machinist/Technician, Senior Machinist/Senior Technician, Machine building specialist

Machining/Tooling technician sets up and operates precision machines, carries out maintenance, services, and repairs of all process equipment, such as pumps, blowers and fans, lubricant systems, major machines, compressors, hydraulic systems, etc. He/she also designs and administers a range of computerised or mechanical machines to fabricate jigs, fixtures and precision machine parts and works closely with engineers and machine operators to make sure that the tools created are performing up to requirements. He/she adheres to strict precision guidelines and usually plays an important part in the planning and implementation of the manufacturing process of the tool.

Main tasks

Designing and preparing layouts of machines and mechanical installations, facilities and components according to the specifications given
Monitoring technical aspects of manufacture, utilisation, maintenance and repair of machines and mechanical installations, facilities and components to ensure satisfactory performance and compliance with specifications and regulations
Assembling and installing new and modified mechanical assemblies, components, machine tools and controls, and hydraulic power systems
Conducting tests of mechanical systems, collecting and analysing data, and assembling and installing mechanical assemblies in support of mechanical engineers
Ensuring that mechanical engineering designs and finished work, excluding those related to transport equipment, are within specifications, regulations and contract provisions

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $43,692 a year. The middle half earn $32,340 to $58,800 a year.
Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Questions people ask

How much does a machining or Tooling technician earn in Singapore?

Median full-time pay is $43,692 a year (Ministry of Manpower (via data.gov.sg)). The middle half earn $32,340 to $58,800.

Will AI change the work of a machining or Tooling technician?

Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

Ministry of Manpower (via data.gov.sg): Resident Occupational Wages (Occupational Wage Survey) (June 2024 (data.gov.sg update 2026-04-01)), Singapore Open Data Licence v1.0, retrieved 4 October 2026
International Labour Organization, Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure (ILO Working Paper 140, Gmyrek et al.) (ILO Working Paper 140, May 2025, Annex Table A1), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026

Updated 4 October 2026