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Engineering technicians use the principles and theories of science, engineering, and mathematics to solve technical problems in research and development, manufacturing, sales, construction, inspection, and maintenance. Their work is more limited in scope and application-oriented than that of scientists and engineers. Many engineering technicians assist engineers and scientists, especially in research and development. Others work in quality control, inspecting products and processes, conducting tests, or collecting data. In manufacturing, they may assist in product design, development, or production. Although many workers who repair or maintain various types of electrical, electronic, or mechanical equipment are called technicians, these workers are covered in the Handbook section on installation, maintenance, and repair occupations.

Engineering technicians who work in research and development build or set up equipment; prepare and conduct experiments; collect data; calculate or record results; and help engineers or scientists in other ways, such as making prototype versions of newly designed equipment. They also assist in design work, often using computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) equipment.

Most engineering technicians specialize, learning skills and working in the same disciplines as engineers. Occupational titles, therefore, tend to reflect engineering specialties. Some branches of engineering technology for which there are accredited programs of study are not covered in detail in the Handbook, such as chemical engineering technology (the development of new chemical products and processes) and bioengineering technology (the development and implementation of biomedical equipment).

Aerospace engineering and operations technicians construct, test, and maintain aircraft and space vehicles. They may calibrate test equipment and determine causes of equipment malfunctions. Using computer and communications systems, aerospace engineering and operations technicians often record and interpret test data.

Civil engineering technicians help civil engineers plan and build highways, buildings, bridges, dams, wastewater treatment systems, and other structures, as well as do related research. Some estimate construction costs and specify materials to be used, and some may even prepare drawings or perform land-surveying duties. Others may set up and monitor instruments used to study traffic conditions. ( Cost estimators; drafters; and surveyors, cartographers, photogrammetrists, and surveying technicians are covered elsewhere in the Handbook.)

Electrical and electronics engineering technicians help design, develop, test, and manufacture electrical and electronic equipment such as communication equipment; radar, industrial, and medical monitoring or control devices; navigational equipment; and computers. They may work in product evaluation and testing, using measuring and diagnostic devices to adjust, test, and repair equipment. (Workers whose jobs are limited to repairing electrical and electronic equipment, who often are referred to as electronics technicians, are included with electrical and electronics installers and repairers elsewhere in the Handbook.)

Electromechanical engineering technicians combine fundamental principles of mechanical engineering technology with knowledge of electrical and electronic circuits to design, develop, test, and manufacture electrical and computer-controlled mechanical systems. Their work often overlaps that of both electrical and electronics engineering technicians and mechanical engineering technicians.

Environmental engineering technicians work closely with environmental engineers and scientists in developing methods and devices used in the prevention, control, or correction of environmental hazards. They inspect and maintain equipment related to air pollution and recycling. Some inspect water and wastewater treatment systems to ensure that pollution control requirements are met.

Industrial engineering technicians study the efficient use of personnel, materials, and machines in factories, stores, repair shops, and offices. They prepare layouts of machinery and equipment, plan the flow of work, make statistical studies, and analyze production costs.

Mechanical engineering technicians help engineers design, develop, test, and manufacture industrial machinery, consumer products, and other equipment. They may assist in product tests—for example, by setting up instrumentation for auto crash tests. They may make sketches and rough layouts, record and analyze data, make calculations and estimates, and report on their findings. When planning production, mechanical engineering technicians prepare layouts and drawings of the assembly process and of parts to be manufactured. They estimate labor costs, equipment life, and plant space. Some test and inspect machines and equipment or work with engineers to eliminate production problems.

Task	Level of Importance	Frequency
Construct and maintain test facilities for aircraft parts and systems, according to specifications.	4.42	Daily (59.41%)
Inspect, diagnose, maintain, and operate test setups and equipment to detect malfunctions.	4.40	Daily (43.84%)
Operate and calibrate computer systems and devices to comply with test requirements and to perform data acquisition and analysis.	4.34	Daily (46.42%)
Record and interpret test data on parts, assemblies, and mechanisms.	4.32	Daily (30.88%)
Test aircraft systems under simulated operational conditions, performing systems readiness tests and pre- and post-operational checkouts, to establish design or fabrication parameters.	4.21	Daily (46.61%)
Confer with engineering personnel regarding details and implications of test procedures and results.	4.18	Daily (53.29%)
Fabricate and install parts and systems to be tested in test equipment, using hand tools, power tools, and test instruments.	4.18	Daily (43.06%)
Adjust, repair or replace faulty components of test setups and equipment.	4.11	Daily (29.67%)
Identify required data, data acquisition plans and test parameters, setting up equipment to conform to these specifications.	4.05	Daily (29.74%)
Finish vehicle instrumentation and deinstrumentation.	3.99	Weekly or more (43.73%)
Exchange cooling system components in various vehicles.	3.40	Yearly or more (39.51%)

Importance Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge [ ? ]  4.27 Analyzing Data or Information [ ? ]  4.13 Getting Information [ ? ]  4.11 Documenting/Recording Information [ ? ]  4.05 Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information [ ? ]  4.03 Interacting With Computers [ ? ]  4.01 Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events [ ? ]  3.93 Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings [ ? ]  3.90 Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material [ ? ]  3.90 Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment [ ? ]  3.85 Processing Information [ ? ]  3.81 Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards [ ? ]  3.78 Making Decisions and Solving Problems [ ? ]  3.64 Thinking Creatively [ ? ]  3.62 Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work [ ? ]  3.60 Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others [ ? ]  3.58 Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others [ ? ]  3.47 Scheduling Work and Activities [ ? ]  3.46 Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment [ ? ]  3.45 Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships [ ? ]  3.41 Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates [ ? ]  3.38 Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others [ ? ]  3.37 Communicating with Persons Outside Organization [ ? ]  3.27 Developing and Building Teams [ ? ]  3.18 Training and Teaching Others [ ? ]  3.18 Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment [ ? ]  3.17 Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People [ ? ]  3.11 Provide Consultation and Advice to Others [ ? ]  3.11 Controlling Machines and Processes [ ? ]  3.10 Monitoring and Controlling Resources [ ? ]  3.08 Developing Objectives and Strategies [ ? ]  3.00 Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates [ ? ]  2.96 Performing General Physical Activities [ ? ]  2.72 Handling and Moving Objects [ ? ]  2.64 Performing Administrative Activities [ ? ]  2.64 Coaching and Developing Others [ ? ]  2.62 Selling or Influencing Others [ ? ]  2.55 Assisting and Caring for Others [ ? ]  2.45 Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment [ ? ]  2.26 Staffing Organizational Units [ ? ]  2.15 Performing for or Working Directly with the Public [ ? ]  1.92

Level Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge [ ? ]  5.59 Documenting/Recording Information [ ? ]  5.31 Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work [ ? ]  5.30 Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment [ ? ]  5.19 Processing Information [ ? ]  5.13 Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships [ ? ]  5.07 Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings [ ? ]  5.01 Thinking Creatively [ ? ]  5.00 Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment [ ? ]  4.87 Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others [ ? ]  4.86 Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates [ ? ]  4.67 Making Decisions and Solving Problems [ ? ]  4.50 Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material [ ? ]  4.47 Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events [ ? ]  4.44 Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People [ ? ]  4.44 Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others [ ? ]  4.43 Developing and Building Teams [ ? ]  4.39 Analyzing Data or Information [ ? ]  4.38 Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others [ ? ]  4.37 Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards [ ? ]  4.36 Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment [ ? ]  4.31 Scheduling Work and Activities [ ? ]  4.29 Monitoring and Controlling Resources [ ? ]  4.23 Interacting With Computers [ ? ]  4.22 Communicating with Persons Outside Organization [ ? ]  4.16 Provide Consultation and Advice to Others [ ? ]  3.90 Getting Information [ ? ]  3.80 Controlling Machines and Processes [ ? ]  3.73 Training and Teaching Others [ ? ]  3.68 Handling and Moving Objects [ ? ]  3.64 Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates [ ? ]  3.54 Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information [ ? ]  3.51 Coaching and Developing Others [ ? ]  3.47 Performing General Physical Activities [ ? ]  3.45 Developing Objectives and Strategies [ ? ]  3.34 Performing Administrative Activities [ ? ]  3.20 Selling or Influencing Others [ ? ]  2.66 Assisting and Caring for Others [ ? ]  2.54 Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment [ ? ]  1.88 Staffing Organizational Units [ ? ]  1.73 Performing for or Working Directly with the Public [ ? ]  1.55