Engineering Technician

Engineering Technician

Engineering Technician

What do they do?

Engineering Technicians can specialize in a wide range of industries, including electrical, civil, industrial, environmental, and mechanical engineering, and usually work under the supervision of an engineer in that discipline.  The job duties of engineering technicians will depend on the specific field in which they work. The engineering technician is a doer, a builder of components, a sampler and collector of data.

Career path

The Engineering Technician Position is an entry level position within the engineering fields.  Engineering techs typically advance through additional education. Engineering Technicians usually need a 4-year degree to become Engineers in their specific field.

Employers

The types of employers for this position are private companies, utility companies, and contractors.

Training

Engineering technicians usually earn a 2-year Associates Degree at a community or technical college in a concentration such as civil, clean energy, environmental, electronics, or mechanical engineering.  Certificate programs can typically be completed in a year or less and may be an option for individuals who already have a related degree or other training. Coursework is generally math and science focused and may include, physics, technical writing, and computer-aided design.  Typical starting salaries in this field range from $40-60k.

Educational programs

See our College Programs resource guide for energy industry educational programs under Energy (General) and Engineering (Electrical).