What does a reliability technician do?
Reliability technicians are responsible for helping enhance quality, improve safety, and implement the constant development of projects to maximize output. They collaborate with engineers and lead maintenance technicians to do continuing the system development. Their duties include giving technical assistance and input in engineering project management services. Also, they systematize and direct work assigned to make certain immediate feedback to repairs, fast identification of faults, and prompt action to repairs. Additionally, they plan, establish, and coordinate work by contractors and other associates.
Reliability technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real reliability technician resumes:
- Manage and analyze the SEO, SEM and analytics programs for both defensive and offensive marketing opportunities.
- Experience in FDA cGMP standards, PAPR, and DEA clearances.
- Used computer skills on a daily basis creating spreadsheets and charts for updating CMMS.
- Develop a new PC rollout process for the team when replacing computers throughout the mill.
- Perform standard lab tests using UV, humidity, hardness, gas and temperature chambers on metals and plastics.
- Monitor the status of assign projects, troubleshoot incidents to determine possible source and initiate test incident report if require.
- Provide superior customer service through implementation of PdM program.
- Determine testing parameters, analyze data and troubleshoot potential areas of weakness.
- Coordinate stability studies and safety & functionality testing to support design verification and FDA submission.
- Perform administration and maintenance duties on UNIX workstations to provide immediate hardware problem resolution that reduce downtime to engineering user-base.
- Perform administration and maintenance duties on UNIX workstations to provide immediate hardware problem resolution that reduce downtime to engineering user-base.
Reliability technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Reliability Technicians are proficient in Troubleshoot, Preventative Maintenance, and Hand Tools. They’re also known for soft skills such as Mechanical skills, Writing skills, and Observational skills.
We break down the percentage of Reliability Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Troubleshoot, 13%
Monitor the status of assigned projects, troubleshoot incidents to determine possible source and initiate test incident report if required.
- Preventative Maintenance, 10%
Perform and document predictive and preventative maintenance on packaging line machines and other equipment related to manufacturing.
- Hand Tools, 5%
Performed rebuilds and repairs of blowers, compressors and more with the use of both power and hand tools.
- Ultrasound, 5%
Used Ultrasound test equipment in leak detection, electrical faults and in the monitoring of slow speed rotating machinery.
- Production Equipment, 4%
Make appropriate modifications/repairs to production equipment.
- Data Collection, 4%
Generate repair work orders off of daily data collection and analysis.
Common skills that a reliability technician uses to do their job include "troubleshoot," "preventative maintenance," and "hand tools." You can find details on the most important reliability technician responsibilities below.
Mechanical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a reliability technician to have is mechanical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "electronic engineering technologists and technicians must use hand tools and soldering irons on small circuitry and electronic parts to build components by hand." Reliability technicians often use mechanical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "tested powered medical devices both manually and mechanically to ensure product reliability. "
Writing skills. Another essential skill to perform reliability technician duties is writing skills. Reliability technicians responsibilities require that "electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians write reports about onsite construction, design problems, or testing results." Reliability technicians also use writing skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "developed and managed the iso 9000 instrument calibration program, including all procedure writing. "
Math skills. For certain reliability technician responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "math skills." The day-to-day duties of a reliability technician rely on this skill, as "electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians use mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting tasks." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what reliability technicians do: "used mathematical skills to create sql queries to verify data in the database. "
Detail oriented. Lastly, "detail oriented" is an important element of what a reliability technician does. Reliability technician responsibilities require this skill because "electrical engineering technologists and technicians must pay attention to detail when assembling, troubleshooting, and repairing electronic and electrical mechanical systems." This resume example highlights how reliability technician duties rely on this skill: "performed and documented detailed analysis of test procedures. "
The three companies that hire the most reliability technicians are:
- Shaw Industries26 reliability technicians jobs
- Christensen Farms10 reliability technicians jobs
- Intel4 reliability technicians jobs
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Compare different reliability technicians
Reliability technician vs. Engineering associate
An engineering associate is an individual whose job duties include analysis of project plans, development of product designs, and maintenance of equipment. The engineering fields where an engineering associate can find a job include civil, mechanical, and environmental. The requirements to qualify for the position include obtaining a bachelor's degree in engineering, familiarity with a specific industry, prior work experience related to the field, and possessing strong technical skills.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between reliability technicians and engineering associate. For instance, reliability technician responsibilities require skills such as "maintenance procedures," "hoisting," "hand tools," and "ultrasound." Whereas a engineering associate is skilled in "python," "java," "cad," and "c++." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Engineering associates earn the highest salaries when working in the energy industry, with an average yearly salary of $88,950. On the other hand, reliability technicians are paid more in the automotive industry with an average salary of $53,491.engineering associates tend to reach higher levels of education than reliability technicians. In fact, engineering associates are 6.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Reliability technician vs. Technical testing engineer
A technical testing engineer is responsible for inspecting and reporting the quality of products across the production cycle. You will thoroughly check procedures, materials, and electrical and mechanical systems to produce high-quality products for customers. Your main job is to test various components and features of the product to identify and resolve technical issues. Other duties include organizing and conducting training for junior team members, creating test environments, and identifying the root cause of technical issues.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real reliability technician resumes. While reliability technician responsibilities can utilize skills like "troubleshoot," "maintenance procedures," "hoisting," and "ultrasound," technical testing engineers use skills like "schematics," "test procedures," "c++," and "ul."
On average, technical testing engineers earn a higher salary than reliability technicians. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, technical testing engineers earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $93,229. Whereas reliability technicians have higher pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $53,491.technical testing engineers earn similar levels of education than reliability technicians in general. They're 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Reliability technician vs. Instrument and controls technician
An instrument and controls technician is responsible for checking and inspecting the condition of production equipment and machinery, ensuring its stability to support business functions and manufacturing processes. Instrument and control technicians study schematics and blueprints of system components to assemble parts and analyze its features for measurement. They also resolve system failures and write resolution reports to prevent the reoccurrence of downtime that may pose risks to the production, avoiding operational delays and potential hazards within the premises.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a reliability technician is likely to be skilled in "troubleshoot," "maintenance procedures," "hoisting," and "ultrasound," while a typical instrument and controls technician is skilled in "control systems," "process control," "control valves," and "programmable logic controllers."
Instrument and controls technicians earn the best pay in the energy industry, where they command an average salary of $71,218. Reliability technicians earn the highest pay from the automotive industry, with an average salary of $53,491.instrument and controls technicians typically earn similar educational levels compared to reliability technicians. Specifically, they're 0.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Reliability technician vs. Manufacturing technician
A manufacturing technician, or often called a manufacturing production technician, is an individual who is responsible for setting and testing manufacturing machinery or equipment. To set up the machines, manufacturing technicians will use electronic, electrical, mechanical, or computer technologies. They are responsible for gathering data from their part in the manufacturing process and reporting it to their production or manufacturing engineers. When handling machines or equipment, manufacturing technicians must strictly follow their health and safety procedures and protocols.
Types of reliability technician
Updated January 8, 2025
