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Testing Engineering Technician

Finding imperfections in components and parts using equipment such as ultrasound and thermal imaging

How this role makes a difference

Spotting the signs of a fault, whether that’s in materials, components, welding or equipment, helps to reduce operational costs and delays. That’s because it’s better to deal with a fault before a major breakdown occurs, or too many substandard goods have been made.

Testing engineering technicians are responsible for carrying out inspections and making sure different components and materials are fit for service. They use a variety of methods including ultrasonics, radiography and infrared thermography, which detect cracks and other imperfections. You could be the technician who spots a critical fault and not only saves time and money, but also protects lives.

Engineer in protective clothing using tools to test machine

The kind of work you’ll do

  • Carrying out detailed inspections using specialist equipment
  • Deciding whether to repair or replace components
  • Solving routine daily problems
  • Overseeing the operation and performance of robots
  • Following the instructions in technical literature
  • Understanding surrounding issues that could contribute to a fault
  • Keeping records of activity
  • Managing project progress and team contributions
Useful skills
Precise
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Technologically minded
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Logical thinking
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Instructing others
Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the role

An interest in science and how different theories are applied to test materials and components.

A natural inclination to try new equipment and technology and establish how it works.

A responsible approach to completing work accurately, with great attention to detail.

Good organisations skills for planning and recording your work.

The confidence to make issues or faults known to people because you know it is the right thing to do.

The ability to think about a problem logically from different angles before deciding on the best way forward.

An aptitude for explaining complex ideas or processes to other people.

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

- exploring problems and finding answers

- building, making and fixing things

- cars, trains or planes

£ 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 *

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*according to ONS

Future career opportunities

After gaining several years of experience you could progress to the role of team leader or supervisor. You could be responsible for maintaining high standards of inspections across a range of materials and components.

If you specialise in an industry, you could become the expert that high-profile manufacturers want to hire to advise them during their research and development programmes, as well as during their manufacturing processes.

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...

Real-life examples of this role include the inspection of batteries, engines, Formula 1 gearboxes, nuclear reactors, and other safety-critical components. You could work in a wide range of industries from aerospace to power generation, marine to railways, oil and gas to construction.

Other job titles...

This role can also be known by some other job titles including:

Testing Engineer
Test Technician

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