What does an engineering technician do?
An Engineering Technician's duties vary according to the industry or company, whether mechanical, industrial, civil, agricultural, or more. However, most of the time, the responsibilities often revolve around resolving technical issues, working with and assisting Engineers in building, assembling, designing, gathering and testing data, and conducting more manual activities. Furthermore, Engineering Technicians can specialize and work in various fields after a certain training period, closely mentored or monitored by an engineer or someone with extensive expertise.
Engineering technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real engineering technician resumes:
- Used Microsoft SharePoint to manage projects, web base collaboration, alerts and for document management.
- Achieve UL certification for thermal overload protection used in motor applications.
- Manage equipment database and organize annual equipment calibration require by internal quality control and ISO standards.
- Manage and distribute cad standards to contributing design consultants and assist with any design issues as necessary.
- Maintain engineering lab equipment: troubleshoot and repair any faulty electronic or mechanical malfunctions, and calibrate test equipment.
- Specialize in software and hardware engineering to military standards and project management of DoD contracts.
- Partner with one of the Sr.
- Perform complex EMI testing and filtering.
- Prepare python script for CME and LSE exchanges.
- Participate in the creation of Jenkins build automation tasks.
- Perform AASHTO & ASTM standard test methods on soil material
- Transfer of API processes from one manufacturing facility to another.
- Transfer of API processes from kilogram to pilot plant scale.
- Assist in the creation of HMI software for project specific equipment.
- Advance motor control system experience in both ac and dc motors.
Engineering technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 5% of Engineering Technicians are proficient in Technical Support, Data Collection, and Test Equipment. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Engineering Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Technical Support, 5%
Provide engineering/technical support for non-conformance investigations.
- Data Collection, 4%
Perform routine preventative maintenance inspections, cleaning, adjustments and data collection of various types of weather instruments utilizing laptop computers.
- Test Equipment, 4%
Provided calibration and maintenance support of PDU test equipment, including calibration scheduling and record-keeping per ISO9000 requirements.
- Asphalt, 4%
Investigated and tested asphalt samples to define physical and engineering characteristics of materials encountered during the exploration phase of a project.
- Construction Projects, 4%
Served as Supervisory Civil Engineering Technician responsible for contract administration and technical support for high dollar civil and military construction projects.
- Construction Materials, 4%
Collected samples of soil and rock construction materials and performed laboratory testing in conjunction with construction observation duties.
Most engineering technicians use their skills in "technical support," "data collection," and "test equipment" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential engineering technician responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an engineering technician 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 technicians often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "analyzed engineering drawings and specifications to plan layout of assembly, machining and welding operations. "
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling engineering technician duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "industrial engineering technologists and technicians must listen carefully to instructions from engineers and must clearly articulate problems to their supervisors." According to an engineering technician resume, here's how engineering technicians can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "maintained network communication and conducted monthly test for a province-wide video conferencing system. "
Detail oriented. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of engineering technicians is detail oriented. This skill is critical to many everyday engineering technician 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: "assisted in detailed analysis from engineering drawings and interpretation of parts breakdown. "
Math skills. For certain engineering technician responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "math skills." The day-to-day duties of an engineering technician rely on this skill, as "industrial engineering technologists and technicians use mathematics and statistical techniques to analyze data collected from studies." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what engineering technicians do: "possess computer, data entry, and excellent mathematics skills. "
Observational skills. Another common skill required for engineering technician responsibilities is "observational skills." This skill comes up in the duties of engineering technicians all the time, as "industrial engineering technologists and technicians closely watch the performance of people or organizations so that they can suggest improvements." An excerpt from a real engineering technician resume shows how this skill is central to what an engineering technician does: "recorded valuable test data and pointed out deviations that resulted from equipment malfunctions, or observational errors. "
The three companies that hire the most engineering technicians are:
- RGA Environmental, A Terracon Company173 engineering technicians jobs
- Meta167 engineering technicians jobs
- Pwc160 engineering technicians jobs
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Compare different engineering technicians
Engineering technician vs. Research and development technician
A research and development technician specializes in performing mathematical and laboratory operations to support projects concerning products and development. Usually functioning as an assistant to a more experienced researcher, a research and development technician's responsibilities revolve around conducting analysis, building models and prototypes, producing reports, and performing various experiments. Furthermore, as a technician, it is crucial to coordinate with all team members, keeping an accurate record of all processes while adhering to the company's standards and regulations.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between engineering technicians and research and development technician. For instance, engineering technician responsibilities require skills such as "technical support," "asphalt," "construction projects," and "construction materials." Whereas a research and development technician is skilled in "product management," "product development," "digital transformation," and "business development." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Research and development technicians really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $95,084. Comparatively, engineering technicians tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $76,126.On average, research and development technicians reach higher levels of education than engineering technicians. Research and development technicians are 6.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Engineering technician 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.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real engineering technician resumes. While engineering technician responsibilities can utilize skills like "technical support," "data collection," "asphalt," and "construction projects," quality laboratory technicians use skills like "quality lab," "food safety," "gmp," and "laboratory procedures."
Quality laboratory technicians may earn a lower salary than engineering technicians, but quality laboratory technicians earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $38,772. On the other hand, engineering technicians receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $76,126.quality laboratory technicians earn similar levels of education than engineering technicians in general. They're 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Engineering technician 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.
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 technician is likely to be skilled in "technical support," "data collection," "asphalt," and "construction projects," while a typical quality assurance technician is skilled in "food safety," "gmp," "quality products," and "quality standards."
Quality assurance technicians make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $46,500. On the other hand, engineering technicians are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $76,126.Most quality assurance technicians achieve a similar degree level compared to engineering technicians. For example, they're 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Engineering technician 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.
Types of engineering technician
Updated January 8, 2025
