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Job Report Engineering Technicians
Nature of the Work
Engineering technicians use their knowledge of science,engineering, mathematics,
machinery, and technical processes inresearch and development, manufacturing, sales,
and customerservice. They often apply the principles, designs, or procedures developed
by engineers to practical situations. Many engineering technicians assist engineers and
scientists, especially in research and development. Other technicians, such as those in
service jobs, work on their own.
In research and development, engineering technicians set up equipment, prepare
experiments, calculate or record the results, sometimes with the aid of computers, and
assist engineers in developing laboratory equipment. Some build experimental equipment
or models and others do routine design work, sometimes using computer-aided design
equipment.
In manufacturing, engineering technicians follow the general directions of engineers,
often without close supervision. They may prepare specifications for materials, devise and
run tests to ensure product quality, or study ways to improve manufacturing efficiency.
They may also supervise production workers to make sure they follow prescribed
procedures.
Engineering technicians also work as field representatives of manufacturers, or retailers.
They advise customers on the installation, operations, and maintenance of complex
technical equipment, and may write repair or operating manuals.
Civil engineering technicians assist civil engineers in planning, designing, and
constructing highways, buildings, bridges, dams, wastewater treatment systems, and other
structures and do related surveys and studies. Some civil engineering technicians inspect
water and wastewater treatment systems to ensure that pollution control requirements are
met. Others estimate costs, specify materials to be used, and participate in designing
highways, dams, and other structures.
Industrial engineering technicians assist industrial engineers on problems involving the
efficient use of personnel, materials, and machines to produce goods and services. They
prepare layouts of machinery and equipment, plan the flow of work, make statistical studies,
and analyze production costs. They also conduct time and motion studies to improve
efficiency in manufacturing plants.
Mechanical engineering technicians assist engineers in design and development work
by making sketches and rough layouts of proposed machinery and other equipment and
parts. In planning and testing experimental machines, they record data, make
computations, plot graphs, analyze results, and write reports. When a product is ready for
production, mechanical engineering technicians prepare layouts, and drawings of the
assembly process and of parts to be manufactured. They estimate labor costs,
equipment life, and plant space. Some test and inspect machines and equipment in
manufacturing departments or work with engineers to eliminate production problems.
Working Conditions
Most engineering technicians work regular hours in laboratories, offices, and industrial
plants. Service representatives usually spend much of their time working in
customers' establishments.
Employment
Engineering technicians held about 726,000 jobs in 1990. About two-fifths worked in
manufacturing, mainly in the electrical and electronic machinery and equipment,
transportation equipment and machinery industries. Over one-fifth worked in
service industries, mostly in engineering or business services companies who do
engineering work on contract for government, manufacturing, or other organizations.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
Although there are many ways to obtain training as an engineering technician, most
employers prefer applicants who have had specialized technical training in
associate-degree-granting technical institutes, junior and community colleges, extension
divisions of colleges and universities, or public and private vocational-technical schools.
Persons with college courses in science, engineering, and mathematics may also be able
to qualify for some positions with additional training and experience.
Persons also can qualify through on-the-job training, apprenticeship programs, or
correspondence schools. Armed Forces experience also may be acceptable for some
kinds of engineering technician jobs. Some of the types of schools that provide
training for engineering technicians are discussed in the following paragraphs.
Technical Institutes. Technical institutes offer training to qualify students for a job as an
engineering technician immediately after graduation with a minimum of on-the-job
training. In general, students receive intensive technical training but less theory and
general education than they would in junior or community college. Many technical institutes
are similar to or are part of a community college, and others are part of State university
systems. These schools usually offer 2 year associate degree programs. Other technical
institutes are run by private, often for-profit, organizations (sometimes called
propriety schools). Programs in these schools vary considerably in length and type of
courses offered. Some are 2-year programs, many of which offer an associate degree at
completion.
Junior and Community Colleges. Curriculums in junior and community colleges which
prepare students for technical occupations are similar to those in technical institutes but in
addition emphasize theory and liberal arts. Often there may be little or no difference
between technical institute and community college programs. However, courses taken at
junior or community colleges are more likely to be accepted for credit at 4-year
colleges than those at technical institutes.
Four-year Colleges. Many engineering technicians obtained some or all of their training
in a 4-year college. Although 4-year colleges usually do not offer engineering technician
training, college courses in science, engineering, and mathematics are useful for obtaining
a job as an engineering technician.
Area Vocational-Technical Schools. These postsecondary public institutions serve local
students and emphasize training needed by employers in the area. Most require a high
school diploma or its equivalent for admission.
Other Training. The Armed Forces offer training in many areas, some of which can be
applied in civilian engineering technician jobs. Some additional training may be needed,
depending on the military skills acquired and the kind of job, but often this is gained on the
job. Some correspondence schools also offer training for engineering technicians.
Persons interested in a career as an engineering technician should have an aptitude for
mathematics and science and should take as many high school science and math courses
as possible. They should enjoy technical and mechanical work and be able to
work well with others since they are often part of a team of engineers and other technicians.
Engineering technicians in sales, service, and repair work should e able to work
independently and deal effectively with customers.
Engineering technicians usually begin doing routine work under the close supervision
of an experienced technician, engineer, or scientist. As they gain experience, they are
given more difficult assignments with only general supervision. Some engineering
technicians eventually become supervisors, and a few, engineers.
Job Outlook
Well-qualified engineering technicians should experience very good employment
opportunities through the year 2000. Employment is expected to increase faster than the
average for all occupations due to anticipated increases in research and development
expenditures and expected continued rapid growth in the output of technical products.
Competitive pressures and advancing technology will force companies to improve and
update product designs more rapidly than in the past, further adding to the growth in
requirements.
Despite the projected faster than average growth, most job openings will be to replace
technicians who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force.
May technician jobs are defense related; cutbacks in defense spending could result in
layoffs.
Earnings
Median annual earnings of full-time engineering technicians were about $27,350 in
1990; the middle 50 percent earned between $21,000 and $33,500. Ten percent earned
less than $15,800 and 10 percent earned over $41,350.
Related Occupations
Engineering technicians apply scientific and engineering principles in their work. Other
workers who apply similar principles include science technicians, drafters, surveyors,
broadcast technicians, and health technologists and technicians.
Sources of Additional Information
For information on a career as an engineering technician, contact:
Jets, Inc., 345 East 47th St., New York, N.Y. 10017.
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