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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)

£18,000 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 can take a college course, which would teach you some of the skills needed in the 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 may be able to do one of the following advanced apprenticeships:

  • Level 3 Engineering technician
  • Level 3 Building services maintenance engineer

You could also do a level 2 intermediate or level 3 advanced engineering apprenticeship for your particular industry, for example aviation, compressed air and vacuum manufacturing, lifting equipment, or 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 become a technician through on-the-job training.

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

On a typical day you could:

  • organise routine servicing schedules
  • share out work to a team of fitters
  • check and calibrate instruments to make sure they're accurate
  • replace worn out parts and maintain machinery
  • carry out quality inspections
  • respond immediately to equipment breakdowns
  • fix faults on site or arrange for replacement equipment to be installed
  • keep production managers informed of progress
  • organise teams to make sure that 24-hour cover is available
  • complete fault-finding reports, stock control records and risk assessments

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 further training, you could qualify as an engineer in your particular field, like mechanical, electrical or building services engineering.

You could also move into technical sales, maintenance team management, contract management or teaching in a further education college.

Find out more about teaching in further education from Teach in further education.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Engineering Technician Mechatronics Apprentice

  • Wage: £19,000.00 Annually
  • Location: Heartlands Business Park, Newnham Drive, Northampton

Mechanical Engineering Apprentice

  • Wage: £10,562.76 Annually
  • Location: Mammoth Street, Coalville
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 Engineering (Mechanical)

  • Provider: MID-KENT COLLEGE
  • Start date: 04 September 2023
  • Location: Maidstone
Find courses near you

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