Who is an engineering maintenance technician and what do they do? The technician’s work consists of maintaining the operational conditions of manufacturing systems.
What are the activities of the engineering maintenance technician? Identifying the needs of manufacturing plant & machinery and their characteristics in connection with manufacturing and operating requirements, selection of suitable types, if necessary even specific machine types, devising maintenance and repair procedures and their control, ensuring the plant and machinery work properly and are economic to use, either by the technician him/herself maintaining them or by the use of specialised subcontractors / service centres or directly through the manufacturers (i.e. their guaranteed repairs).
Where is it done and under what conditions? In factories, both in offices and on the shop floor. You must expect some problems such as exposure to noise and dust; sometimes also shift-working is required.
What tools/equipment do they use? Various measuring and diagnostic equipment, mechanic and electrical instruments, computers and the spoken word.
What do you need to succeed? You need a degree in engineering (electrical/mechanical), either from a university or various colleges, technical imagination, fast judgement, organisational abilities, ability to negotiate and improvise, the ability to convey your meaning properly, and the ability to learn.