Prospective engineering technicians should take as many high school science and math courses as possible to prepare for postsecondary programs in engineering technology.
The type of technical courses required also depends on the specialty. For example, prospective mechanical engineering technicians may take courses in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and mechanical design; electrical engineering technicians may take classes in electric circuits, microprocessors, and digital electronics; and those preparing to work in environmental engineering technology need courses in environmental regulations and safe handling of hazardous materials.
Because many engineering technicians may assist in design work, creativity is desirable. Good communication skills and the ability to work well with others is also important since they are often part of a team of engineers and other technicians.
Engineering technicians usually begin by performing routine duties under the close supervision of an experienced technician, technologist, engineer, or scientist. As they gain experience, they are given more difficult assignments with only general supervision. Some engineering technicians eventually become supervisors.
Many publicly and privately operated schools provide technical training; the type and quality of programs vary considerably. Therefore, prospective students should be careful in selecting a program. They should contact prospective employers regarding their preferences and ask schools to provide information about the kinds of jobs obtained by graduates, instructional facilities and equipment, and faculty qualifications.
Technical institutes offer intensive technical training, but less theory and general education than community colleges.
Community colleges offer curriculums similar to those in technical institutes but may include more theory and liberal arts. Often there may be little or no difference between technical institute and community college programs, as both offer associate diplomas / degrees. After completing the 2-year program, some graduates get jobs as engineering technicians, while others continue their education at 4-year colleges. However, there is a difference between an associate degree in pre-engineering and one in engineering technology. Students who enroll in a 2-year pre-engineering program may find it very difficult to find work as an engineering technician should they decide not to enter a 4-year engineering program, because pre-engineering programs usually focus less on hands-on applications and more on academic preparatory work. Conversely, graduates of 2-year engineering technology programs may not receive credit for many of the courses they have taken if they choose to transfer to a 4-year engineering program. Colleges with these 4-year programs usually do not offer engineering technician training, but college courses in science, engineering, and mathematics are useful for obtaining a job as an engineering technician. Many 4-year colleges offer bachelor’s degrees in engineering technology, but graduates of these programs are often hired to work as technologists or applied engineers, not technicians.
Area vocational-technical schools include postsecondary public institutions that serve local students and emphasize training needed by local employers. Most require a high school diploma or its equivalent for admission.
Other training in technical areas may be obtained in the Armed Forces. Many military technical training programs are highly regarded by employers. However, skills acquired in military programs often are narrowly focused, so they may not be useful in civilian industry, which often requires broader training. Therefore, some additional training may be needed, depending on the acquired skills and the kind of job.
Job Outlook
Opportunities will be best for individuals with an associate degree / diplomas in engineering technology. As technology becomes more sophisticated, employers continue to look for technicians who are skilled in new technology and require a minimum of additional job training.
Overall employment of engineering technicians is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2008. As production of technical products continues to grow, competitive pressures will force companies to improve and update manufacturing facilities and product designs more rapidly than in the past. However, the growing availability and use of advanced technologies, such as computer-aided design and drafting and computer simulation, will continue to increase productivity and limit job growth. In addition to growth, many job openings will be created to replace technicians who retire or leave the labor force.
Like engineers, employment of engineering technicians is influenced by local and national economic conditions. As a result, the employment outlook varies with industry and specialization. Employment of some types of engineering technicians, such as civil engineering and aeronautical engineering technicians, experience greater cyclical fluctuations than others. Increasing demand for more sophisticated electrical and electronic products, as well as the expansion of these products and systems into all areas of industry and manufacturing processes, will contribute to average growth in the largest specialty—electrical and electronics engineering technicians. At the same time, new specializations will contribute to growth among all other engineering technicians. Fire protection engineering technology, for example, is one of many new specialties for which demand is increasing.
ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS
Engineering technicians assist engineers in their work. They are involved
in technical problem solving, and they can be specialized in a particular
area, just like engineers. They do not have the full responsibilities of engineers,
and the educational requirements for the job are less demanding than they
are for engineers.
What's it like to be an engineering technician?
Engineering technicians work to solve technical problems in research and development, manufacturing, sales, construction, and customer service. Many engineering technicians assist engineers and scientists, especially in research and development. They work regular hours in laboratories, offices, electronics and industrial plants, or construction sites.
Just like engineers, technicians work in particular branches of engineering. Civil engineering technicians help civil engineers plan and build highways, buildings, bridges, and other structures. Electronic engineering technicians design, develop, and manufacture electronic equipment such as radios, radar; television, and computers. Industrial engineering technicians study the efficient use of personnel, materials, and machines in factories, stores, repair shops, and offices. Chemical engineering technicians are usually employed in industries producing pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and petroleum products.
How do I become an engineering technician?
Although
it is possible to qualify for some engineering technician jobs with no formal
training, most employers prefer to hire someone who has had some technical
training and will require less on-the-job training and supervision. Training
is available at technical institutes, junior and community colleges, vocational-technical
schools, and through some technical training programs in the armed services.
People who have had college courses in science, engineering, and mathematics
may also qualify for some positions but may need additional specialized training
and experience.
About two-fifths of engineering technicians in the United States work in
manufacturing. U.S. manufacturing industries are turning to cost-saving
technologies, including automated processing and robotics, to improve their
competitiveness and productivity. They need technicians who can adapt
to constantly changing technologies.
Trained
Engineering Technicians, in manufacturing, work closely with
engineers. In the automated factory environment they help in the design and
development stages, and install, operate, maintain and service robots,
robotics equipment and automated systems. They normally work under
the direction of engineers or technologists, but often move up to more
responsible positions or to supervision. Although some technicians may work
on specific systems, most have multiple skills and are able to perform
varied tasks.
Technicians
must also be able to adapt to changing technologies and need
higher reading and math skills than previously required. Additional related
skills include:
PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS
-- Ability to concentrate;
-- Ability to use tools;
-- Abstract reasoning skills;
-- Creative thinking skills;
-- Mechanical ability;
-- Manual dexterity;
-- Mathematical skills;
-- Problem-solving skills;
-- Spatial ability.
ELECTROMECHANICAL TECHNICIANS
WHAT THEY DO
Electromechanical
Technicians build, test, adjust and repair electro-
mechanical devices and systems. Systems include computers and plant
automation equipment that use electronic sensing devices to monitor,
control, or activate mechanical operations. This technology is relatively
new and involves the interaction of electrical, electronic and mechanical
devices. Technicians are experts in digital computer fundamentals,
hydraulics and pneumatics, electromechanical components and control systems.
This variety of skills is particularly valuable in the robotics, automation
and biomedical fields.
JOB RELATED SKILLS
Knowledge
of:
-- Digital computer systems,
-- Electronic control systems
-- Electromechanical components
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Diploma in electromechanical technology; or
-- Equivalent trade school or military school.
ELECTRONICS TECHNICIANS
WHAT THEY DO
Electronics
Technicians work with Electronics Engineers. In manufacturing,
Electronics Technicians work with engineers and help set up assembly or test
lines. Technicians' duties might include making up production schedules,
estimating costs and inspecting and testing products. Others may show
production workers how to test and assemble new products. Technicians also
maintain computers and automated equipment.
Electrical
and electronic engineering technicians make up about 45 percent of all engineering
technicians.
Because the type and quality of training programs vary considerably, prospective
students should carefully investigate training programs before enrolling.
Opportunities will be best for individuals with an associate degree / diploma
or extensive job training in engineering technology.
JOB RELATED SKILLS
Knowledge
of:
-- Basic digital and analog theory
-- Electronics testing equipment
-- Laser beam technology
-- Statistical process control
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Diploma
/ degree in electronics, electrical and electronics equipment
repair, electronic technology or other engineering specialty; or
-- Equivalent trade school or military training.
FIELD SERVICE TECHNICIANS
WHAT THEY DO
Field
Service Technicians work for electronics, computer, robotics,
peripheral equipment and automated systems manufacturers and suppliers.
Duties include on-site equipment installation and service. Responsible for
equipment repair, they must be able to diagnose and solve equipment
failures. They train customers to operate and maintain equipment and serve
as administrative and technical liaisons to customers. They also maintain
customer equipment performance records.
JOB RELATED SKILLS
Knowledge
of:
-- Electromechanical systems;
-- Communication;
-- Programming languages;
-- Public relations;
-- Problem solving.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Diploma / degree in an engineering specialty, or equivalent trade
school or military training; and
-- 3 years experience in system repair.
INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS
WHAT THEY DO
Industrial
Engineering Technicians work with engineers to keep production
moving smoothly. They may specialize in plant layout and help decide
where to place machines and equipment, or work in plant design and site
location. Other technicians may specialize in industrial production
planning and assist in determining the most efficient manufacturing methods.
JOB RELATED SKILLS
Knowledge
of:
-- Automated manufacturing processes;
-- Computer-aided design (CAD); and
-- Interpersonal skills.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Diploma / degree in industrial technology; or
-- Equivalent trade school or military training.
JOB OUTLOOK
Projected
job outlook information for this job classification is not
available.
MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS
WHAT THEY DO
Manufacturing
Engineering Technicians work with Manufacturing Engineers.
Rapidly evolving technology, and quality and cost issues, demand technicians
that can work at higher levels than their earlier counterparts. Although
some technicians are generalists, others specialize in areas such as
production control, quality assurance, computer-integrated manufacturing
(CIM), or automated inspection.
JOB RELATED SKILLS
Knowledge
of:
-- Computers;
-- Communication techniques;
-- Manufacturing methodology;
-- Product processes;
-- Quality control; and
-- Statistical process control
EDUCATION
AND TRAINING
-- Approved apprenticeship training;
--Diploma / degreein manufacturing technology; or
-- Equivalent trade school or military training.
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS
WHAT THEY DO
Mechanical
Engineering Technicians help mechanical engineers design, build,
maintain and modify machines, parts, mechanical devices and tools. They
work mainly with machine applications in the manufacturing process,
including the use of robotics equipment. They may also help research and
develop new automated manufacturing equipment and processes. Those working
in design increasingly use computer-aided design (CAD), and technicians
making parts use computer numerical control machinery (CNC).
JOB RELATED SKILLS
Knowledge
of:
-- CAD
-- CNC
-- Personal computers
-- How to read schematics
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Diploma / degree in mechanical design technology or mechanical
technology; or
-- Equivalent trade school or military training
ROBOTICS TECHNICIANS
WHAT THEY DO
Robotics
Technicians are maintenance or engineering technicians in robotics.
They may work for robot manufacturers, suppliers, distributors or the
companies using robots. Those working for manufacturers are part of the
design team and work closely with the engineers. They are the hands-on team
members. They also help with installation, programming and user training.
Other technicians who work for companies that use robotics are called on to
service, troubleshoot, maintain, and repair robots and robotic systems.
Their duties vary, depending upon who they work for, and the types of robots
they work on. Robotics Technicians who work in the auto industry are
called maintenance technicians.
WHERE ARE THE JOBS?
Many
Engineering Technicians assist engineers and scientists in research and
development. Others work in production or inspection. Engineering
Technicians who work in manufacturing work directly under engineers. Jobs
for Engineering Technicians in robotics and automated systems are found in
companies that actually manufacture robots, and other companies that serve
as system integrators, or market and distribute robots built outside of the
United States. Most job opportunities in robotics, however, are with those
industries involved with peripheral robotics equipment, parts and software,
and industries using automation and robotics.
CONCLUSION
Companies
are facing increased competition in the global marketplace
and are looking to advanced technologies to improve and update
manufacturing facilities and product designs. The output of technical
products is also expected to grow. As the uses of robotics and automation
increase, and new applications are developed, skilled technicians will be
needed to help design, manufacture, install, maintain and service them.
Well-qualified Engineering Technicians, with high-tech skills, should
experience good employment opportunities through the year 2005.