Research indicates that manufacturers and their suppliers need to recruit approximately 124,000 engineers and technicians every year. You will probably spend some of your time in a manufacturing plant and the rest in an office, liaising with internal colleagues and working directly with clients to understand their needs. You’ll also collaborate with suppliers to develop solutions to manufacturing challenges.
Engineering Manufacturing Technician
Designing, making and testing products for sectors from aviation to materials
How this role makes a difference
A diverse range of industries – including automotive, aerospace, marine, chemical processing and materials manufacturing – use complex engineering, multiple parts, and detailed manufacturing processes to deliver their products.
Engineers who lead product development and manufacturing need support with the production and testing of new and existing products, and with processes and procedures to make sure customer specifications are met. You could be the technician who ensures efficient and effective manufacturing, contributing to the production of greener vehicles, space travel or innovative materials.
The kind of work you’ll do
- Gathering and analysing information and data from a range of sources
- Updating technical documentation on quality, reliability and production schedules
- Analysing or producing documents that explain how a product must be designed, manufactured, maintained and transported
- Meeting with engineering and manufacturing teams
- Maintaining quality and safety standards
- Overseeing delivery to customers to hit agreed schedules
- Contributing to discussion on how processes and procedures can be improved
What you can bring to the role
Future career opportunities
As you gain experience supporting engineers, you will become involved in the development and introduction of new products or product modifications. You may eventually lead a team that gathers the data and analysis to support design.
You could decide you want to become an engineer yourself and build on your technician skills to complete the right training and courses. Your technician, engineering and manufacturing skills will be transferrable to multiple industries.
How to get into this role
There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.
But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:
- A T-level in Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing, Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing or Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control after your GCSEs
- An apprenticeship as an Engineering Manufacturing Technician after finishing your T-level or A-levels
Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.
A little more about the role
This role can also be known by some other job titles including:
Costing Engineer
Installation Engineer
Manufacturing Quality Engineer
Manufacturing Procurement Engineer
Process Engineer
Production Support Engineer
Quality Engineer
Test and Commissioning Engineer