What does an engineering support specialist do?
An engineering support specialist's role is vital, especially as it relates to security and databases. They ensure that all technicalities of the project, be it for the support, maintenance, or machines' operation instructions, function well. They perform troubleshooting and system updating if needed. They can also recommend ways to improve the operation by reviewing existing programs and applying new upgrades as allowed and suitable for the system. They should report any malfunctions to personnel concerned.
Engineering support specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real engineering support specialist resumes:
- Manage multiple imaging-relate projects across both radiology and cardiology service lines, both inpatient and outpatient, to completion.
- Diagnose and troubleshoot Fujitsu laptops as well as tablet PC's.
- Assist engineering in designing of new equipment and troubleshoot older equipment.
- Maintain the company's electrical assets geo-spatially using ESRI, GIS software.
- Assist with website editing and improvements utilizing PHP, HTML, CSS, and XML technologies.
- Create custom processing screens in AdminWeb using OmniScript and HTML to replace OmniVBAs after migration from OmniStation.
- Strategize, develop, and implement ISO 9000 as part of a team, also conduct internal audits.
- Exhibit very strong troubleshooting skills to resolve various technical issues with XML, HTTP post, and in some cases spreadsheets.
- Create a departmental SharePoint site to enhance collaboration between divisions in the surgery department.
- Consult with areas interest in creating new SharePoint sites and provide guidelines for content management.
- Develop company-wide internal XML message standardize structure to meet all business needs and requirements for internal messaging solutions.
- Design customized programs and implement various automate PC applications for database manipulation, data mining/extraction, project listing and tracking status.
- Assist project manager with coordinating company sponsor conferences to include acquiring approvals, team registrations, travel accommodations, and logistics.
- Manage multiple imaging-relate projects across both radiology and cardiology service lines, both inpatient and outpatient, to completion.
Engineering support specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 18% of Engineering Support Specialists are proficient in Engineering Support, CAD, and Data Entry. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Listening skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Engineering Support Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Engineering Support, 18%
Helped engineering support team with other miscellaneous tasks as needed
- CAD, 8%
Maximized returns by generating 100% system functionality and authoring CAD software tests adapting capabilities to customer operational needs.
- Data Entry, 8%
Perform data entry for development and maintenance of special projects assigned by management.
- Troubleshoot, 5%
Specialized in partnering with the US and Global Tax teams to troubleshoot content related issues derived by customer base.
- Technical Support, 5%
Provided front-line support for new high-priority issues reported by field through technical support, including analysis and reproduction of customer configurations.
- Project Management, 5%
Provided project management support to software design engineers including establishing priorities consistent with project objectives and schedules.
Common skills that an engineering support specialist uses to do their job include "engineering support," "cad," and "data entry." You can find details on the most important engineering support specialist responsibilities below.
Customer-service skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an engineering support specialist to have is customer-service skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "computer support specialists must be patient and sympathetic." Engineering support specialists often use customer-service skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "experienced with customer support and satisfaction. "
Listening skills. Another essential skill to perform engineering support specialist duties is listening skills. Engineering support specialists responsibilities require that "support workers must be able to understand the problems that their customers are describing and know when to ask questions to clarify the situation." Engineering support specialists also use listening skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "identified, communicated, and tracked production issues with technical support. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of engineering support specialists is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday engineering support specialist duties, as "support workers must identify both simple and complex computer problems, analyze them, and solve them." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "test solutions and troubleshooting errors in lab setting for configuration and installation of wired and wireless network infrastructures. "
Speaking skills. engineering support specialist responsibilities often require "speaking skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "support workers must describe the solutions to computer problems in a way that a nontechnical person can understand." This resume example shows what engineering support specialists do with speaking skills on a typical day: "represented the company in a customer support role and is responsible for customer's satisfaction with equipment and servicing. "
Writing skills. A commonly-found skill in engineering support specialist job descriptions, "writing skills" is essential to what engineering support specialists do. Engineering support specialist responsibilities rely on this skill because "strong writing skills are useful for preparing instructions and email responses for employees and customers, as well as for real-time web chat interactions." You can also see how engineering support specialist duties rely on writing skills in this resume example: "involved in writing of unix shell scripts as per the requirements. "
The three companies that hire the most engineering support specialists are:
Compare different engineering support specialists
Engineering support specialist vs. Technical support engineer
A technical support engineer is responsible for responding to customer issues, providing immediate resolutions to their system issues through remote assistance. Technical support engineers must have strong knowledge of software and hardware applications to diagnose system defects and process troubleshooting. They also assist customers with the installation of programs and updates to improve system performance, escalating high-level concerns to appropriate internal technology teams. A technical support engineer must have strong command with technical systems, as well as excellent communication and time-management skills to understand clients' issues while documenting procedures.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, engineering support specialist responsibilities require skills like "engineering support," "cad," "data entry," and "project management." Meanwhile a typical technical support engineer has skills in areas such as "customer service," "customer issues," "database," and "customer satisfaction." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Technical support engineers tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $82,316. In contrast, engineering support specialists make the biggest average salary, $90,008, in the technology industry.On average, technical support engineers reach similar levels of education than engineering support specialists. Technical support engineers are 1.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Engineering support specialist vs. Support lead
A support lead is typically in charge of overseeing the performance of a technical support team, ensuring efficiency and customer satisfaction. Their responsibilities revolve around assessing the performance of the workforce, resolving complex issues, identifying customer needs and sales opportunities, and training new team members. They may also perform calls and correspondence, respond to inquiries, and resolve issues promptly. Furthermore, as a support lead, it is essential to perform clerical tasks such as preparing progress reports, managing schedules, and maintaining records of transactions.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, engineering support specialist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "engineering support," "cad," "data entry," and "project management." Meanwhile, a support lead has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer service," "cash management," "pos," and "sales floor." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
In general, support leads achieve similar levels of education than engineering support specialists. They're 2.7% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Engineering support specialist vs. Database specialist
A database specialist is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the databases to maintain the confidentiality of data. Database specialists determine business requirements and manage multiple operating systems to build the database's efficient structures and feasibility. They also install security protection software tools and programs to prevent unauthorized access and potential leak of restricted information. A database specialist coordinates with the system engineers to improve existing databases and upgrade the network infrastructure for optimization.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, engineering support specialists are more likely to have skills like "engineering support," "cad," "project management," and "configuration management." But a database specialist is more likely to have skills like "database management," "database design," "database administration," and "windows."
Database specialists earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $95,518. Comparatively, engineering support specialists have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $90,008.Most database specialists achieve a similar degree level compared to engineering support specialists. For example, they're 2.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Engineering support specialist vs. Systems specialist
Systems specialists are professionals who maintain, troubleshoot, and install information and computer systems. They identify the software, data, and hardware needs of companies. Generally, they work in physically demanding indoor environments installing complicated networks. They manage, lead, and coordinate technical support for new software, upgrades, and products. Also, they configure systems for the users and assess data from different sources to make a decision.
Types of engineering support specialist
Updated January 8, 2025
