Manufacturing Careers
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Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technicians
Electrical and Electronic
Engineering Technicians
What They Do
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technicians perform work essential to research and
development, manufacture, modification, and maintenance of a wide range of products and
equipment. They usually work as assistants to engineers and are often identified by titles similar
to those given to the engineers. Some common titles are Design Engineering Technician, Systems
Development Technician, and Product Engineering Technician. Experienced technicians often
work in research and development.
Engineering Technicians use their knowledge of electronics theory and circuitry, test procedures,
mathematics, and physics to sketch, make layouts, and build experimental circuitry, prototype
and production models, and production equipment. They design and modify basic circuits, and
recommend changes in circuitry or specifications. They troubleshoot failed units, often down to
the level of the individual components, analyze the cause of failures, and perform necessary
repairs. They use voltmeters, ohmmeters, signal generators, ammeters, and oscilloscopes.
Engineering Technicians set up and run a variety of environmental, operational, and functional
tests on components, systems, and new products, and sometimes devise new test procedures as
well. They analyze and interpret test data, write technical reports, develop graphs or charts to
describe operating characteristics, failures, and limitations for the engineers to consider. They
may also write computer programs to test new systems. They also may run diagnostic programs
that help pinpoint malfunctions.
Some Engineering Technicians are primarily involved with the manufacturing process. They
maintain production and quality control equipment, develop tests to assure product quality, and
investigate various manufacturing problems. Other Engineering Technicians install and maintain
equipment and systems at customer worksites. In addition to provi