Engineering maintenance technicians maintain, repair and sometimes install machinery used in the areas of manufacturing, processing and transportation.
Depending on the type of business, they could be working on:
- machinery used on production lines in factories
- laboratory equipment in hospitals or pharmaceutical production units
- machinery and equipment used in the rail and road transport industries
- civil or military aircraft
- power generation equipment and facilities – hydro-electric, wind turbines, solar and marine energy technology, fossil fuel and nuclear power stations
- automated baggage and people movers – lifts, escalators, walkways and airport skytrains.
Many engineering maintenance technicians carry out regular, planned maintenance of equipment, spotting and resolving potential problems at an early stage. This is called preventative maintenance and could involve:
- drawing up and following a schedule for regular maintenance checks (this will take into account manufacturers’ recommendations and legal requirements)
- showing the people who operate the machinery how to carry out routine tasks, such as oiling, and making sure these tasks are done regularly
- checking and calibrating instruments to make sure they are accurate
- replacing parts either when they are worn or after a specified period of time.
Some preventative maintenance operations are extremely specialised. Aircraft maintenance technicians, for example, carry out checks according to a very strict schedule determined by the aircraft manufacturers.
If a piece of equipment does break down during operation, it usually needs to be repaired as quickly as possible, so that production can continue. This called emergency maintenance and may involve:
- the provision of immediate emergency repair services
- the ability to respond immediately and diagnose and resolve problems quickly
- arranging a temporary repair to keep production going until a full repair can be carried out.
Maintenance technicians usually specialise in one engineering discipline, but they often need a working knowledge of other disciplines. Servicing and repairing specific pieces of equipment may demand a working knowledge of mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering. They also need to be aware of the increasing emphasis on renewable energy, alongside carbon capture and greater energy efficiency.
Hours and environment
Most maintenance technicians work between 37 and 39 hours a week. Exact working hours vary and may involve rota systems or shift work. Routine maintenance may need to be done during periods when the workplace is quiet, eg in the evenings, at nights or at weekends. Engineering maintenance technicians may need to provide 24-hour cover for emergency repairs.
As engineering encompasses a whole range of industries, working environments vary widely. A maintenance technician may work in a laboratory or on a factory floor, make visits to construction sites, evaluate safety systems from an office or work from home.
Salary and other benefits
These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people live.
- A qualified technician may start at around £20,000 a year.
- With experience, this could increase to more than £33,000.
- The most experienced technicians earn over £40,000.
Skills and personal qualities
Engineering maintenance technicians should:
- be practical
- be good with their hands
- have good problem-solving skills
- have good communication skills, so they can explain problems to people with varying levels of technical knowledge
- have ICT skills, since computer diagnostics are used in many operations
- understand engineering drawings and principles
- be able to work accurately and quickly under pressure
- work well in a team and on their own initiative
- be able to follow health and safety procedures
- have normal colour vision.
Interests
It is important to:
- be interested in science, engineering and technology
enjoy problem solving.Engineering maintenance technicians maintain, repair and sometimes install machinery used in the areas of manufacturing, processing and transportation.
Depending on the type of business, they could be working on:
- machinery used on production lines in factories
- laboratory equipment in hospitals or pharmaceutical production units
- machinery and equipment used in the rail and road transport industries
- civil or military aircraft
- power generation equipment and facilities – hydro-electric, wind turbines, solar and marine energy technology, fossil fuel and nuclear power stations
- automated baggage and people movers – lifts, escalators, walkways and airport skytrains.
Many engineering maintenance technicians carry out regular, planned maintenance of equipment, spotting and resolving potential problems at an early stage. This is called preventative maintenance and could involve:
- drawing up and following a schedule for regular maintenance checks (this will take into account manufacturers’ recommendations and legal requirements)
- showing the people who operate the machinery how to carry out routine tasks, such as oiling, and making sure these tasks are done regularly
- checking and calibrating instruments to make sure they are accurate
- replacing parts either when they are worn or after a specified period of time.
Some preventative maintenance operations are extremely specialised. Aircraft maintenance technicians, for example, carry out checks according to a very strict schedule determined by the aircraft manufacturers.
If a piece of equipment does break down during operation, it usually needs to be repaired as quickly as possible, so that production can continue. This called emergency maintenance and may involve:
- the provision of immediate emergency repair services
- the ability to respond immediately and diagnose and resolve problems quickly
- arranging a temporary repair to keep production going until a full repair can be carried out.
Maintenance technicians usually specialise in one engineering discipline, but they often need a working knowledge of other disciplines. Servicing and repairing specific pieces of equipment may demand a working knowledge of mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering. They also need to be aware of the increasing emphasis on renewable energy, alongside carbon capture and greater energy efficiency.
Hours and environment
Most maintenance technicians work between 37 and 39 hours a week. Exact working hours vary and may involve rota systems or shift work. Routine maintenance may need to be done during periods when the workplace is quiet, eg in the evenings, at nights or at weekends. Engineering maintenance technicians may need to provide 24-hour cover for emergency repairs.
As engineering encompasses a whole range of industries, working environments vary widely. A maintenance technician may work in a laboratory or on a factory floor, make visits to construction sites, evaluate safety systems from an office or work from home.
Salary and other benefits
These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people live.
- A qualified technician may start at around €27,000 a year.
- With experience, this could increase to more than €35,000.
- The most experienced technicians earn over €40,000.
Skills and personal qualities
Engineering maintenance technicians should:
- be practical
- be good with their hands
- have good problem-solving skills
- have good communication skills, so they can explain problems to people with varying levels of technical knowledge
- have ICT skills, since computer diagnostics are used in many operations
- understand engineering drawings and principles
- be able to work accurately and quickly under pressure
- work well in a team and on their own initiative
- be able to follow health and safety procedures
- have normal colour vision.
Interests
It is important to:
- be interested in science, engineering and technology
- enjoy problem solving.
Getting in
There is a steady demand for experienced engineering maintenance technicians throughout Ireland. Some large organisations employ in-house maintenance technicians. Other employers include manufacturers of equipment and independent maintenance and repair providers. They range from multinational organisations to small, private companies. There may be opportunities to work overseas.
The manufacturing, process, transport, energy and construction industries all provide opportunities for maintenance technicians.
Entry routes
The majority of candidates enter this career through an Apprenticeship in Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitting
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