Favourites
Not a student?
Further info
Are you
a problem solver? Try our
new game
Are you a problem solver? Try our new game
Manufacturing machinery creating sparks

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
Useful skills
Attention to detail
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Problem solving
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Instructing others
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Critical thinking
Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the role

An interest in engineering and how large-scale products are manufactured.

The confidence to use a range of tools and techniques to solve problems and support your decision-making.

An organised approach to your work and the skill to capture details accurately.

The flexibility to adapt to different situations and work with a range of clients, colleagues and suppliers.

A skill for making difficult things easy to understand by other people.

An aptitude for thinking carefully about a subject or idea, asking questions and acting upon what you’ve learned.

This role could also be right for you if you have any of the following interests:

- cars, trains and planes

- building, making and fixing things

- exploring problems and finding answer

£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Average salary per year *
£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Average salary per month *

Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

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:  

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

Exciting features...

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.

Other job titles...

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

Discover
technicians who
do this role

Leia Sunter

Engineering Manufacturing Technician

Leia Sunter
Kieran Bullivant

Engineering Manufacturing Technician

Kieran Bullivant
Bethany Haynes

Engineering Manufacturing Technician

Bethany Haynes
Paper aeroplane

What are your next steps?

Discover our expert advice on the different pathways available and how to get into your dream role.

3 glass beakers and vases with different amounts of red liquid in

Browse more technican roles

Discover what qualifications you’ll need, how much you can earn, and what the next steps are.
Like the sound of
this role? Read a technician's story