What does an engineering assistant do?
An engineering assistant is responsible for supporting the engineering department's operations under the supervision of a head engineer. Engineering assistants help with operating tools and equipment, developing and analyzing designs, communicating with clients by responding to their inquiries and concerns, creating project plans, and identifying business opportunities to generate revenues and increase profitability. An engineering assistant must have excellent knowledge of the engineering disciplines and processes to carry out tasks within strict deadlines and under minimal supervision.
Engineering assistant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real engineering assistant resumes:
- Manage the RFI process to clarify discrepancies and questions concerning the plans and specifications.
- Create, manage and maintain the ECR process to ensure accurate and timely processing.
- Manage and distribute cad standards to contributing design consultants and assist with any design issues as necessary.
- Assist in the maintenance of files for engineering drawings, ECO's, manufacturing specs, and BOM's.
- Ensure documentation load into IP vault.
- Review systems implementation to comply with RFP and plans.
- Coordinate with civil, structural, and MEP for design of systems.
- Check requisition and MRP order demand, obtain quotations, and examine bids.
- Generate RFI's and assist in expediting projects with projects that are outsource overseas.
- Generate both on-site and off-site SEO solutions by analyzing client goals and marketing strategy.
- Support and qualify requirements for the advanced product quality planning (APQP) initiative.
- Determine ECN implementation point base on inventory levels, urgency and ease of implementation.
- Hang / repair room doors, steel auto-close fire doors, install / repair windows.
- Replace broken windows; doors, door locks, closets; and install window blinds.
- Provide layout and coordination of engineering services with project MEP and structural and architectural scope.
Engineering assistant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Engineering Assistants are proficient in Troubleshoot, C++, and Worksheets. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Engineering Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Troubleshoot, 14%
Perform parameter modification, Buffer, memory management, performance tuning and troubleshoot.
- C++, 13%
Promoted from research intern to software tools tester and C++ programmer.
- Worksheets, 11%
Worked collaboratively with other engineers to facilitate input of data into Excel worksheets to classify old machine parts drawings.
- Java, 11%
Eclipse, Google Maps API, Git, Java, SQLITE, C#, XML)
- Debugging, 7%
Project planning, testing, product development, debugging, measuring and monitoring performance.
- Auto CAD, 4%
Design isometric drawings by hand and with the utilization of Auto Cad program.
Common skills that an engineering assistant uses to do their job include "troubleshoot," "c++," and "worksheets." You can find details on the most important engineering assistant responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an engineering assistant to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "industrial engineering technologists and technicians assess changes in conditions, operations, and the environment to help industrial engineers figure out how systems should work." Engineering assistants often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "analyzed engineering drawings to determined suitable manufacturing process, utilized jobboss to generated manufacturing process, materials and price quotes. "
Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform engineering assistant duties is communication skills. Engineering assistants responsibilities require that "industrial engineering technologists and technicians must listen carefully to instructions from engineers and must clearly articulate problems to their supervisors." Engineering assistants also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "assisted a motorola systems technologist during the optimization and implementation of rf communications simulcast system. "
Detail oriented. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of engineering assistants is detail oriented. This skill is critical to many everyday engineering assistant duties, as "industrial engineering technologists and technicians must record precisely what they measure and observe." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "create engineering drawings of details, assemblies, schematics and interconnect diagrams from direction of engineers or designers. "
Observational skills. For certain engineering assistant responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "observational skills." The day-to-day duties of an engineering assistant rely on this skill, as "industrial engineering technologists and technicians closely watch the performance of people or organizations so that they can suggest improvements." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what engineering assistants do: "performed package performance testing and developed testing specification through data analysis, observational research and kinematic investigation. "
Math skills. Another crucial skill for an engineering assistant to carry out their responsibilities is "math skills." A big part of what engineering assistants relies on this skill, since "industrial engineering technologists and technicians use mathematics and statistical techniques to analyze data collected from studies." How this skill relates to engineering assistant duties can be seen in an example from an engineering assistant resume snippet: "supported thermal math modeling and other engineering evaluations of thermal control systems. "
The three companies that hire the most engineering assistants are:
- Danaher95 engineering assistants jobs
- Turner Construction30 engineering assistants jobs
- Google26 engineering assistants jobs
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Compare different engineering assistants
Engineering assistant vs. Quality laboratory technician
A Quality Laboratory Technician ensures that lab procedures and equipment meet a certain standard, as well as monitors production. They maintain quality service and a safe and healthy work environment through following organization standards.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an engineering assistant are more likely to require skills like "c++," "html css," "worksheets," and "java." On the other hand, a job as a quality laboratory technician requires skills like "lab equipment," "quality lab," "food safety," and "gmp." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Quality laboratory technicians really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $38,772. Comparatively, engineering assistants tend to make the most money in the energy industry with an average salary of $79,013.quality laboratory technicians tend to reach similar levels of education than engineering assistants. In fact, quality laboratory technicians are 2.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Engineering assistant vs. Quality control technician
Usually assigned in a manufacturing plant, a quality control technician's role focuses on testing and assessing materials before, after, and during a production process to ensure its efficiency. They also have responsibilities in implementing the policies and regulations of the company, all to maintain a safe and productive working environment for every employee. Furthermore, a quality control technician must produce necessary reports and documentation, coordinate with managers and supervisors, maintain accurate documentation, and oversee a team to secure quality standard outcomes.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real engineering assistant resumes. While engineering assistant responsibilities can utilize skills like "c++," "html css," "worksheets," and "java," quality control technicians use skills like "lab equipment," "quality control tests," "asphalt," and "quality products."
On average, quality control technicians earn a lower salary than engineering assistants. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, quality control technicians earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $45,814. Whereas engineering assistants have higher pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $79,013.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Quality control technicians tend to reach similar levels of education than engineering assistants. In fact, they're 1.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for engineering assistants in the next 3-5 years?
Edoardo Sarda Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Robotics Engineering, Lake Superior State University
Engineering assistant vs. Quality technician
Quality systems analysts are professionals who analyze the implemented quality standards of an organization's business procedures and policies. These analysts are required to execute test plans and resolve discrepancies with their technical personnel. They must coordinate all internal audits of the quality system while implementing corrective action to their audit findings. They are required to conduct weekly meetings with development staff to discuss defects and revised business requirements. Quality systems analysts must also identify the quality training needs for operations personnel working with supervisors and quality engineers.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an engineering assistant is likely to be skilled in "c++," "html css," "worksheets," and "java," while a typical quality technician is skilled in "calipers," "corrective action," "continuous improvement," and "micrometers."
Quality technicians make a very good living in the health care industry with an average annual salary of $43,325. On the other hand, engineering assistants are paid the highest salary in the energy industry, with average annual pay of $79,013.When it comes to education, quality technicians tend to earn similar degree levels compared to engineering assistants. In fact, they're 2.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Engineering assistant vs. Quality assurance technician
Quality assurance is an essential part of a company that offers products and services. It is critical that the company's output remains consistent and up to par with community standards. It is the assistant quality assurance manager's role to inspect, monitor, and evaluate the quality of every product. The goal is to establish customer satisfaction and trust. The assistant quality assurance manager works with the head manager and helps generate reports of daily activities for executive evaluations.
Types of engineering assistant
Updated January 8, 2025
