Engineering Maintenance Technician
Job Description:Engineering maintenance technicians service and repair equipment in industries like manufacturing, production and transport.
Job Category:What you will do:
As an engineering maintenance technician, you could:
- organise routine servicing schedules and assign tasks
- check and maintain instruments and machinery
- fix breakdown faults and arrange for replacement equipment
- complete reports and inform production managers of progress
- do risk assessments and keep stock control records
Skills:
You’ll need:
- the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
- problem-solving skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
As well as:
- the ability to work well with your hands
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail (organisational skills)
- the ability to work well with others (teamwork skills)
- physical skills like movement, coordination and dexterity
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations (leadership skills)
- the ability to work on your own (drive)
Entry Requirements:
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
University
You could do a foundation degree or higher national diploma in engineering before applying for a job as a trainee technician.
College
You could take a college course, which would teach you some of the skills needed for this job.
In the UK, for example, courses include:
- Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
- Certificate in Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology
- Diploma in Equipment Maintenance Engineering
- Diploma in Engineering
- Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing
- Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction
Apprenticeship
You could do an Engineering Technician Advanced Apprenticeship or a Building Services Maintenance Advanced Apprenticeship.
You could also do an apprenticeship in a specific industry.
You could do intermediate or advanced engineering apprenticeships in an industry like:
- aviation
- compressed air and vacuum manufacturing
- lifting equipment
- rail
Work
You could start as an engineering craftworker and train on the job to become an engineering maintenance technician.
Working Hours and Environment:
A typical week consists of 40-42 hours of work. You could be required to work evenings/weekends/bank holidays on shifts.
You could work in a factory, on a construction site or at a manufacturing plant. Your working environment may be noisy and outdoors some of the time. You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
Career Path & Progression:
With experience you could:
- take a Lead Engineering Maintenance Technician Higher Apprenticeship to become a senior maintenance technician
- do further training to qualify as an engineer in a specific field like mechanical, electrical or building services
- move into technical sales, maintenance team management or contract management
- become a further education teacher