What does an Engineering Technician do?
Engineering technicians assist engineers with research and development, quality control, or design. They specialize in various industries, including civil, industrial, and mechanical, and usually work under professional engineers’ supervision. They may work in laboratories, construction sites, offices, or industrial and manufacturing plants and assist engineers with research and development, quality control, and design. They work alongside scientists or quality assurance inspectors and help them create products, improve manufacturing methods, and maintain assembly systems.
Engineering technicians discuss initial project instructions or changes in drafting, design, manufacturing, and assembly with appropriate team members during the testing phase of a process or product. They review project instructions to identify requirements regarding fabrication, assembly, and testing. Engineering technicians need a strong background in math, science, and computer skills and an associate's degree or other training including certification as an engineering technician.
- Manage equipment suppliers through all phases of projects.
- Operate hand tools, power tools, ladders, and test equipment.
- This position requires work in the office and outdoors.
- Control the equipment needed for use in the prototype area.
- Act as technical resource to customers and field employees.
- Strong aptitude in preparing neat and accurate sketches, field notes and field maps.
- Provide technical support for equipment installation, set-up, and troubleshooting.
- Provide input on the manufacturability of existing and new products.
- Assist in, and may initiate more complex analysis and implementations.
- Evaluate, diagnose, troubleshoot cabling infrastructure systems and perform repairs as necessary.
- Analyze plans, specifications, and contract details to determine system requirements.
- Maintain daily log of construction and inspection activities and complete reports daily.
- Participate in or leads the development of roadmaps related to their area(s) of expertise to manage and meet identified technology needs.
- Develop or assist in development of test and work procedures.
- May begin to provide technical guidance to other engineering technicians.
- May assist with scheduling and dispatch of technicians to project sites.
- Observe and record site conditions, activities, and construction quality.
- Regular attendance in accordance with established work schedule is mandatory.
- Select and adapt procedures to current assignments with instructions.
- Perform a variety of duties in the electronic, mechanical, electromechanical, or optical areas.
- Provide support for standard and routine tasks, record data and follow procedures.
- Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in electrical engineering, computer science, engineering or mechanical engineering, or equivalent experience.
- Experience with CAD, CNC, AutoCad, PLC, R Language, and C software and systems.
- A problem solver dedicated to continuous improvement.
- Familiar with calibration, surveying, drawing, firing, and computing.
- Comfortable and well-versed in giving technical assistance.
- Demonstrated leadership skills.
- Is a critical thinker.
- Experience with enterprise resource planning.
Engineering Technician Salaries
Average Base Pay
Engineering Technician Career Path
Learn how to become an Engineering Technician, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Engineering Technician Insights
General Dynamics Land Systems“GDLS is a placed you go to collect a good paycheck and raise a family.”
STV“You get to work with a great team with really good experience in the field.”
Tech Mahindra“Negotiate a good salary to start because don't expect increases unless you have a job offer elsewhere.”
Boeing“Management changes frequently so you have to be very proactive to take your career where you want it.”
Terracon“Great avenues for career development and leadership as well aids and pushes associates to achieve certifications to do more and make more.”
Advance Testing Co Inc“Hours are not guaranteed and the pay is not the best.”
Visual Lighting Technologies“Both owners are abusive and impossible to work with.”
Texas Instruments“Low life balance and quite stressful.”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of an Engineering Technician
When working as an Engineering Technician, the most common skills you will need to perform your job and for career success are Test Equipment, Windows Server 2008, AutoCAD, Written Communication and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Engineer
- Project Engineer
- Production Engineer
- Process Engineer
The most common qualifications to become an Engineering Technician is a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree and an average of 0 - 1 of experience not including years spent in education and/or training.