Maintenance engineers are responsible for maintaining the equipment and processes that allow a business to run. They may also be responsible for looking over machines to identify potential problems early before they cause failures.
Ensuring that all equipment and processes are running smoothly. This can include: machinery, lighting, heating and cooling systems, elevators, and escalator systems.
Identifying potential problems and addressing them before a failure occurs. For example, if a machine has been running for hours or days without interruption, it could start having issues because it’s overheating. A maintenance engineer might notice this while performing routine maintenance on the system, and take action to prevent further damage from occurring (e.g., shutting off the power until repairs can be made).
Being on call in the event of malfunctioning machinery. For example, if your company makes medical devices or pharmaceuticals, and one of the production lines isn’t working properly, you will receive notice that something is wrong with the machinery.
Ensuring that all machinery is operating safely and within regulations. This can include: running safety audits, ensuring safety data sheets are accessible, following the rules and regulations of OSHA, and more.
Responsible for maintaining records for machinery, including daily, weekly, and monthly logs. For example, you will most likely be responsible for tracking maintenance and repairs that have been completed by one or more employees.
A bachelor’s degree is typically required for most maintenance engineering jobs. Most employers specifically look for graduates with degrees in a field such as mechanical engineering or manufacturing engineering. Other related fields can qualify as well, for example, electrical engineers may be hired to perform maintenance on computers and other equipment.
A master’s is preferred for some jobs because it demonstrates that you can take on more responsibility. A Ph.D. is not typically required unless you’re applying for research positions or management roles where the employer prefers advanced degrees.
The average annual salary for maintenance engineers in North America is around $70,000 per year. This salary can vary widely depending on location and type of business. In fact, some maintenance engineers with several years of experience can make upwards of $130,000 per year.
If you are interested in becoming a maintenance engineer, there are several benefits including opportunities for career advancement. Some maintenance engineers advance to management positions while others choose to remain on the floor. In addition to earning more money than maintenance technicians, there are the added benefits of having a flexible schedule, and being able to work in any industry.
If you are looking for a job where your work will be appreciated, maintenance engineering might be a perfect choice. Maintenance engineers are responsible for keeping equipment running, and ensuring that it is safe to operate by fixing any problems as soon as possible.
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