What does a line technician do?
A line technician is responsible for conducting routine maintenance checks to ensure the operational efficiency of machines and equipment production. Line technicians monitor the control processes, running diagnostic tests with products and equipment, and create a comprehensive report for resolution methods. They inspect high-level machinery and observe for possible inconsistencies that may cause delays and hazards in the production, immediately notifying the management for action. A line technician must have excellent knowledge with industrial machines and the mechanical industry, as their expertise is crucial in keeping the safety and security of all production staff.
Line technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real line technician resumes:
- Accomplish final operational checkout for conformance to customer specifications of prototype and new electronic systems including system installation on new airframes.
- Complete paperwork on machines service, refill OSHA approve fluids.
- Train to independently troubleshoot processing and technical issues that may arise.
- Manufacture various lengths of wire and install them in electrical boxes for installation in HVAC units.
- Assemble and diagnose key battery system components of HVAC, disconnects, relays, and circuit breakers.
- Ensure proper servicing of aircraft engines and gearboxes, as well as launch and recovery of aircraft.
- Replace malfunctioning parts, such as worn magnetic heads on automatic teller machine (ATM) card readers.
- Follow guidelines set by the FAA to avoid potential hazards such as static discharge for arriving and departing aircraft.
- Stack each order on pallets and scan into the system to make sure each order are filled in full.
- Monitor the highest level of maintenance pertaining to engines, gearboxes, oil systems, fuel systems and blades.
- Use standard or special tooling require for mechanical, electrical, or airframe installation, removal, rework and repair.
- Maintain network communications of ATM equipment.
- Service and repair customers' Honda automobiles
- Service and repair customers' Honda and Suzuki vehicles
- Perform wire tests and troubleshoot electrical components of assemble products.
Line technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Line Technicians are proficient in Customer Service, Safety Procedures, and Preventative Maintenance. They’re also known for soft skills such as Color vision, Teamwork, and Technical skills.
We break down the percentage of Line Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 14%
Conducted customer service related responsibilities which included greeting and assisting passengers, as well as providing ground transportation around the airfield.
- Safety Procedures, 8%
Implemented airfield safety procedures, to ensure a safe operating environment for personnel and aircraft operation.
- Preventative Maintenance, 7%
Performed preventative maintenance inspections on conventional products; maintained effective communication with Business Management Team and Service Technician Team members.
- Quality Standards, 5%
Perform procedural audits that help in achieving optimum equipment performance to ensure product quality standards are maintained.
- Customer Vehicles, 4%
Conducted inspection and diagnosis of customer vehicles within the electrical, brake, engine, transmission, engine and suspension systems.
- Line Tech, 4%
Experienced Operator and Pilot Line Technician in manufacturing operation; specialized expertise in plastic films and resins.
"customer service," "safety procedures," and "preventative maintenance" are among the most common skills that line technicians use at work. You can find even more line technician responsibilities below, including:
Color vision. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a line technician to have is color vision. Their role and responsibilities require that "workers who handle electrical wires and cables must distinguish colors because the wires and cables are often color coded." Line technicians often use color vision in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "performed multiple tasks pertaining to customer service, employee training, equipment maintenance, employee review process and staff supervision. "
Teamwork. Many line technician duties rely on teamwork. "because workers often rely on their fellow crew members for their safety, teamwork is critical.," so a line technician will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways line technician responsibilities rely on teamwork: "repair and maintenance of electric and pneumatic assembly line teamwork and leadership trouble shooting and problem solving"
Technical skills. This is an important skill for line technicians to perform their duties. For an example of how line technician responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "line installers use sophisticated diagnostic equipment on circuit breakers, switches, and transformers." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a line technician: "identified and fixed technical issues in atm's. ".
Physical strength. line technician responsibilities often require "physical strength." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "line installers and repairers must be strong enough to lift heavy tools, cables, and equipment on a regular basis." This resume example shows what line technicians do with physical strength on a typical day: "performed vital sign checks and ensured individuals were physically and mentally sound to complete plasma donations. "
Mechanical skills. A commonly-found skill in line technician job descriptions, "mechanical skills" is essential to what line technicians do. Line technician responsibilities rely on this skill because "line installers and repairers must have the knowledge and skills to repair or replace complex electrical and telecommunications lines and equipment." You can also see how line technician duties rely on mechanical skills in this resume example: "operated line equipment and performed mechanical, pneumatic and hydraulic repairs and maintenance as needed, including machine rebuilds"
Troubleshooting skills. While "troubleshooting skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to line technician responsibilities. Much of what a line technician does relies on this skill, seeing as "line installers and repairers must diagnose problems in increasingly complex electrical systems and telecommunication lines." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of line technicians: "conducted various categories of troubleshooting to bring atm machines back online. "
The three companies that hire the most line technicians are:
- Plastipak22 line technicians jobs
- Church & Dwight Co.13 line technicians jobs
- Duke Energy8 line technicians jobs
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Compare different line technicians
Line technician vs. Cable puller
A locator or utility locator is an individual who is responsible for locating, identifying, and marking underground utilities before the start of construction or other projects in an area. Locators are required to read maps and blueprints to determine where utilities are located and protect those underground utilities from damage during excavation. They must be able to operate small or medium-sized vehicles and direct traffic away from the worksite.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between line technicians and cable puller. For instance, line technician responsibilities require skills such as "customer service," "safety procedures," "preventative maintenance," and "quality standards." Whereas a cable puller is skilled in "structured cabling," "cat-5," "electrical cables," and "cable pullers." This is part of what separates the two careers.
The education levels that cable pullers earn slightly differ from line technicians. In particular, cable pullers are 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a line technician. Additionally, they're 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Line technician vs. Locator
Cable splicers are skilled employees who are responsible for installing, splicing, testing, and repairing high-voltage overhead, underground, or submarine cables or wires. To reach the location of these high-voltage cables, cable splicers are required to climb utility poles, utilize truck-mounted lift buck, and descend into underground manholes. They must use a variety of specialized test equipment, including handheld electric and non-electric hand tools when making repairs or performing cable wiring. Cable splicers must also work with other teams on splicing telephone cables.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, line technician responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "customer service," "preventative maintenance," "quality standards," and "customer vehicles." Meanwhile, a locator has duties that require skills in areas such as "necessary paperwork," "working independently," "tv," and "water lines." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Locators tend to reach similar levels of education than line technicians. In fact, they're 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Line technician vs. Cable splicer
A fiber optic splicer specializes in installing and repairing fiber optic cables in telecommunication lines. Among their responsibilities include providing customer assistance by answering inquiries, troubleshooting problems, implementing systems, and assisting customers in setting up their devices. There are also instances where they must install cable lines, work together with construction crews and linemen, and perform maintenance checks. Moreover, a fiber optic splicer typically works with a team, which requires an active communication line for a safe and efficient workflow.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from line technician resumes include skills like "customer service," "safety procedures," "preventative maintenance," and "quality standards," whereas a cable splicer is more likely to list skills in "hand tools," "cdl," "dot," and "ladders. "
When it comes to education, cable splicers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to line technicians. In fact, they're 0.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Line technician vs. Fiber optic splicer
Types of line technician
Updated January 8, 2025
