Opportunities will be best for individuals with an associate
degree or extensive job training in engineering technology.
Engineering technicians use the principles and theories of
science, engineering, and mathematics to solve technical problems
in research and development, manufacturing, sales, construction,
inspection, and maintenance. Their work is more limited in
scope and application-oriented than that of scientists and
engineers. Many engineering technicians assist engineers and
scientists, especially in research and development. Others
work in quality control, inspecting products and processes,
conducting tests, or collecting data. In manufacturing, they
may assist in product design, development, or production.
Although many workers who repair or maintain various types
of electrical, electronic, or mechanical equipment are called
technicians, these workers are covered in the Handbook
section on installation, maintenance, and repair occupations.
Engineering technicians who work in research and development
build or set up equipment; prepare and conduct experiments;
collect data; calculate or record results; and help engineers
or scientists in other ways, such as making prototype versions
of newly designed equipment. They also assist in design work,
often using computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) equipment.
Most engineering technicians specialize, learning skills
and working in the same disciplines as engineers. Occupational
titles, therefore, tend to reflect engineering specialties.
Some branches of engineering technology for which there are
accredited programs of study are not covered in detail in
the Handbook, such as chemical engineering technology
(the development of new chemical products and processes) and
bioengineering technology (the development and implementation
of biomedical equipment).
Aerospace engineering and operations technicians construct,
test, and maintain aircraft and space vehicles. They may calibrate
test equipment and determine causes of equipment malfunctions.
Using computer and communications systems, aerospace engineering
and operations technicians often record and interpret test
data.
Civil engineering technicians help civil engineers
plan and build highways, buildings, bridges, dams, wastewater
treatment systems, and other structures, as well as do related
research. Some estimate construction costs and specify materials
to be used, and some may even prepare drawings or perform
land-surveying duties. Others may set up and monitor instruments
used to study traffic conditions. ( Cost
estimators; drafters; and surveyors, cartographers, photogrammetrists, and
surveying technicians are covered in the careers
database.
Electrical and electronics engineering technicians
help design, develop, test, and manufacture electrical and
electronic equipment such as communication equipment; radar,
industrial, and medical monitoring or control devices; navigational
equipment; and computers. They may work in product evaluation
and testing, using measuring and diagnostic devices to adjust,
test, and repair equipment. (Workers whose jobs are limited
to repairing electrical and electronic equipment, who often
are referred to as electronics technicians.
Electromechanical engineering technicians combine
fundamental principles of mechanical engineering technology
with knowledge of electrical and electronic circuits to design,
develop, test, and manufacture electrical and computer-controlled
mechanical systems. Their work often overlaps that of both
electrical and electronics engineering technicians and mechanical
engineering technicians.
Environmental engineering technicians work closely
with environmental engineers and scientists in developing
methods and devices used in the prevention, control, or correction
of environmental hazards. They inspect and maintain equipment
related to air pollution and recycling. Some inspect water
and wastewater treatment systems to ensure that pollution
control requirements are met.
Industrial engineering technicians study the efficient
use of personnel, materials, and machines in factories, stores,
repair shops, and offices. They prepare layouts of machinery
and equipment, plan the flow of work, make statistical studies,
and analyze production costs.
Mechanical engineering technicians help engineers
design, develop, test, and manufacture industrial machinery,
consumer products, and other equipment. They may assist in
product tests—for example, by setting up instrumentation for
auto crash tests. They may make sketches and rough layouts,
record and analyze data, make calculations and estimates,
and report on their findings. When planning 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 or work with engineers to eliminate
production problems.
Most engineering technicians work at least 40 hours a week
in laboratories, offices, manufacturing or industrial plants,
or on construction sites. Some may be exposed to hazards from
equipment, chemicals, or toxic materials.
| Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement |
Although it may be possible to qualify for certain engineering
technician jobs without formal training, most employers prefer
to hire someone with at least a 2-year associate degree in
engineering technology. Training is available at technical
institutes, community colleges, extension divisions of colleges
and universities, public and private vocational-technical
schools, and in the Armed Forces. Persons with college courses
in science, engineering, and mathematics may qualify for some
positions but may need additional specialized training and
experience. Although employers usually do not require engineering
technicians to be certified, such certification may provide
jobseekers a competitive advantage.
Prospective engineering technicians should take as many high
school science and math courses as possible to prepare for
postsecondary programs in engineering technology. Most 2-year
associate degree programs accredited by the Technology Accreditation
Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and
Technology (ABET) require, at a minimum, college algebra and
trigonometry and one or two basic science courses. Depending
on the specialty, more math or science may be required. About
230 colleges offer ABET-accredited programs in engineering
technology.
The type of technical courses required also depends on the
specialty. For example, prospective mechanical engineering
technicians may take courses in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics,
and mechanical design; electrical engineering technicians
may need classes in electrical circuits, microprocessors,
and digital electronics; and those preparing to work in environmental
engineering technology need courses in environmental regulations
and safe handling of hazardous materials.
Because many engineering technicians assist in design work,
creativity is desirable. Because these workers often are part
of a team of engineers and other technicians, good communication
skills and the ability to work well with others also are important.
Engineering technicians usually begin by performing routine
duties under the close supervision of an experienced technician,
technologist, engineer, or scientist. As they gain experience,
they are given more difficult assignments with only general
supervision. Some engineering technicians eventually become
supervisors.
Many publicly and privately operated schools provide technical
training, but the type and quality of training vary considerably.
Therefore, prospective students should be careful in selecting
a program. They should ascertain prospective employers’ preferences
and ask schools to provide information about the kinds of
jobs obtained by program graduates, about instructional facilities
and equipment, and about faculty qualifications. Graduates
of ABET-accredited programs usually are recognized as having
achieved an acceptable level of competence in the mathematics,
science, and technical courses required for this occupation.
Technical institutes offer intensive technical training through
application and practice, but they provide less theory and
general education than do community colleges. Many technical
institutes offer 2-year associate degree programs and are
similar to or part of a community college or State university
system. Other technical institutes are run by private, often
for-profit organizations, sometimes called proprietary schools.
Their programs vary considerably in length and types of courses
offered, although some are 2-year associate degree programs.
Community colleges offer curriculums that are similar to
those in technical institutes but include more theory and
liberal arts. There may be little or no difference between
programs at technical institutes and community colleges, as
both offer associate degrees. After completing the 2-year
program, some graduates get jobs as engineering technicians,
whereas others continue their education at 4-year colleges.
However, there is a difference between an associate degree
in pre-engineering and one in engineering technology. Students
who enroll in a 2-year pre-engineering program may find it
very difficult to find work as an engineering technician if
they decide not to enter a 4-year engineering program, because
pre-engineering programs usually focus less on hands-on applications
and more on academic preparatory work. Conversely, graduates
of 2-year engineering technology programs may not receive
credit for some of the courses they have taken if they choose
to transfer to a 4-year engineering program. Colleges with
these 4-year programs usually do not offer engineering technician
training, but college courses in science, engineering, and
mathematics are useful for obtaining a job as an engineering
technician. Many 4-year colleges offer bachelor’s degrees
in engineering technology, but graduates of these programs
often are hired to work as technologists or applied engineers,
not technicians.
Area vocational-technical schools, another source of technical
training, include postsecondary public institutions that serve
local students and emphasize training needed by local employers.
Most require a high school diploma or its equivalent for admission.
Other training in technical areas may be obtained in the
Armed Forces. Many military technical training programs are
highly regarded by employers. However, skills acquired in
military programs are often narrowly focused and may be of
limited applicability in civilian industry, which often requires
broader training. Therefore, some additional training may
be needed, depending on the acquired skills and the kind of
job.
The National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies
has established a voluntary certification program for engineering
technicians. Certification is available at various levels,
each level combining a written examination in 1 of about 30
specialties with a certain amount of job-related experience,
a supervisory evaluation, and a recommendation.
Engineering technicians held 532,000 jobs in 2004. About
a third were electrical and electronics engineering technicians,
as indicated by the following tabulation.
| Electrical and electronic engineering
technicians |
182,000 |
| Civil engineering technicians |
94,000 |
| Industrial engineering technicians |
69,000 |
| Mechanical engineering technicians |
48,000 |
| Environmental engineering technicians |
20,000 |
| Electro-mechanical technicians |
19,000 |
| Aerospace engineering and operations
technicians |
9,500 |
| Engineering technicians, except drafters,
all other |
91,000 |
About 36 percent of all engineering technicians worked in
manufacturing, mainly in the computer and electronic equipment,
transportation equipment, and machinery manufacturing industries.
Another 22 percent worked in professional, scientific, and
technical service industries, mostly in engineering or business
services companies that do engineering work on contract for
government, manufacturing firms, or other organizations.
In 2004, the Federal Government employed 37,000 engineering
technicians. State governments employed 39,000, and local
governments employed 27,000.
Opportunities will be best for individuals with an associate
degree or extensive job training in engineering technology.
As technology becomes more sophisticated, employers will continue
to look for technicians who are skilled in new technology
and require a minimum of additional job training. An increase
in the number of jobs related to public health and safety
should create job opportunities for engineering technicians
with the appropriate training and certification.
Overall employment of engineering technicians is expected
to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations
through 2014. Competitive pressures will force companies to
improve and update manufacturing facilities and product designs,
resulting in more jobs for engineering technicians. In addition
to growth, many job openings will stem from the need to replace
technicians who retire or leave the labor force.
Growth of engineering technician employment in some design
functions may be dampened by increasing globalization of the
development process. To reduce costs and speed project completion,
some companies may relocate part of their development operations
to facilities overseas, impacting both engineers and the engineering
technicians that support them—particularly in electronics
and computer-related areas. However, much of the work of engineering
technicians requires on-site presence, so demand for engineering
technicians within the US should continue to grow.
Because engineering technicians work closely with engineers,
employment of engineering technicians is often influenced
by the same local and national economic conditions that affect
engineers. As a result, the employment outlook varies with
industry and specialization. Growth in the largest specialty—electrical
and electronics engineering technicians—is expected to be
about as fast as the average, while employment of environmental
engineering technicians is expected to grow faster than average
to meet the environmental demands of an ever-growing population.
Median annual earnings in May 2004 of engineering technicians
by specialty are shown in the following tabulation.
| Aerospace engineering and operations
technicians |
$52,500 |
| Electrical and electronic engineering
technicians |
46,310 |
| Industrial engineering technicians |
43,590 |
| Mechanical engineering technicians |
43,400 |
| Electro-mechanical technicians |
41,440 |
| Environmental engineering technicians |
38,550 |
| Civil engineering technicians |
38,480 |
Median annual earnings of electrical and electronics engineering
technicians were $46,310 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent
earned between $36,290 and $55,750. The lowest 10 percent
earned less than $29,000, and the highest 10 percent earned
more than $67,900. Median annual earnings in the industries
employing the largest numbers of electrical and electronics
engineering technicians in May 2004 are shown below.
| Federal government |
$64,160 |
| Wired telecommunications carriers |
51,250 |
| Architectural, engineering, and related
services |
44,800 |
| Navigational, measuring, electromedical,
and control instruments manufacturing |
42,780 |
| Semiconductor and other electronic component
manufacturing |
41,300 |
Median annual earnings of civil engineering technicians were
$38,480 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between
$29,880 and $48,590. The lowest 10 percent earned less than
$24,180, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $57,550.
Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest
numbers of civil engineering technicians in May 2004 are shown
below.
| Local government |
$43,700 |
| Architectural, engineering, and related
services |
37,470 |
| State government |
35,970 |
In May 2004, the average annual salary for aerospace engineering
and operations technicians in the aerospace products and parts
manufacturing industry was $52,250, and the average annual
salary for environmental engineering technicians in the architectural,
engineering, and related services industry was $36,530. The
average annual salary for industrial engineering technicians
in the semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing
industry was $40,020. In the architectural, engineering, and
related services industry, the average annual salary for mechanical
engineering technicians was $43,190.
Engineering technicians apply scientific and engineering
principles usually acquired in postsecondary programs below
the baccalaureate level. Similar occupations include science
technicians; drafters; surveyors, cartographers, photogrammetrists,
and surveying technicians; and broadcast and sound engineering
technicians and radio operators. For more information on careers,
see the Careers Database.
| Sources of Additional Information |
For information about careers in engineering technology,
contact:
- JETS (Junior Engineering Technical Society)-Guidance,
1420 King St., Suite 405, Alexandria, VA 22314-2794. Internet:
http://www.jets.org/
Information on ABET-accredited engineering technology programs
is available from:
- Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc.,
111 Market Plc., Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012. Internet:
http://www.abet.org/
Information on certification of engineering technicians,
as well as job and career information, is available from:
- National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies,
1420 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314-2794. Internet: http://www.nicet.org/
-
Source: Bureau of Labor
Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational
Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition,
