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Engineering maintenance technician

Alternative titles for this job include

Engineering maintenance technicians service and repair equipment in industries like manufacturing, production and transport.

Average salary (a year)

£21,000 Starter

to

£40,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 42 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become an engineering maintenance technician

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

University

You could do a foundation degree or higher national diploma in engineering before applying for a job as a trainee technician.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma

More Information

College

You could take a college course, which would teach you some of the skills needed for this job. 

Relevant courses include:

  • Level 2 Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
  • Level 2 Certificate in Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology
  • Level 3 Diploma in Equipment Maintenance Engineering
  • Level 3 Diploma in Engineering
  • T Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing
  • T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction

Entry requirements

You may need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could begin your career in engineering by doing an advanced apprenticeship, such as:

  • Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician Level 3
  • Engineering Technician Level 3

You could also do an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship in a specific industry, like:

  • aviation
  • compressed air and vacuum manufacturing
  • lifting equipment
  • rail

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start as an engineering craftworker and train on the job to become an engineering maintenance technician.

More Information

Further information

You can get more advice about engineering careers through Tomorrow's Engineers and The Institution of Engineering and Technology.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • problem-solving skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • physical skills like movement, coordination and dexterity
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to work on your own
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As an engineering maintenance technician, you could:

  • organise routine servicing schedules and assign tasks
  • check and maintain instruments and machinery
  • fix breakdown faults and arrange for replacement equipment
  • complete reports and inform production managers of progress
  • do risk assessments and keep stock control records

Working environment

You could work in a factory, on a construction site or at a manufacturing plant.

Your working environment may be noisy and outdoors some of the time.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience you could:

  • take a Lead Engineering Maintenance Technician Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship to become a senior maintenance technician
  • do further training to qualify as an engineer in a specific field like mechanical, electrical or building services
  • move into technical sales, maintenance team management or contract management
  • become a further education teacher

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Maintenance Engineer

  • Wage: £10,296.00 Annually
  • Location: Landywood Lane, Cheslyn Hay, Walsall

Engineering Apprentice – Development Technician

  • Wage: £18,000.00 Annually
  • Location: Bury St. Edmunds
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

TU Level 4 HNC in Mechanical Engineering

  • Provider: DARLINGTON COLLEGE
  • Start date: 25 September 2023
  • Location: Darlington

HNC Higher National Certificate in General Engineering (Mechanical)

  • Provider: HEART OF YORKSHIRE EDUCATION GROUP
  • Start date: 01 September 2024
  • Location: Castleford
Find courses near you

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