To work as a maintenance engineer, you’ll typically need a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field, and most employers prefer several years of experience in some aspect of the field. Because of the technical complexities of the field, a maintenance engineer must have a strong foundation in mathematics, design, construction, physics, and technology. Students can start preparing for this career by excelling in math and science and becoming interested in current engineering projects. Young adults can volunteer or participate in engineering fairs and programs to gain a better understanding of the industry.
A bachelor’s degree in engineering can be earned by enrolling in and successfully completing a four-year university engineering program. Aside from general engineering courses, students should concentrate on specialized engineering courses such as engineering graphics, engineering mechanics, thermodynamics, circuit analysis, and computer engineering fundamentals. Students can join engineering clubs, events, and competitions at many universities to gain the experience they need to become a maintenance engineer. Some students who participate in these extracurricular activities learn about internship opportunities with companies that hire maintenance engineers. Any additional experience will aid applicants in their quest to become a maintenance engineer, and most employers value this as part of the training process.
Some students choose to continue their education and pursue a master’s degree in engineering, which can lead to a higher paying job and advanced job placement. An alternative to pursuing a second degree is to work as an apprentice to a senior engineer in order to gain the necessary experience to work as a maintenance engineer. Most employers look at previous work experience and anticipate two to three years in the field. Internships and other field work can help him or her cut down on the amount of time he or she needs to train before starting a career.
The responsibilities of this job change depending on the company that hires you. Designing, planning, supervising construction, and ongoing maintenance of a structure are typical responsibilities, as are inspecting project sites, providing technical advice, and collaborating closely with builders, architects, and other industry professionals. Coordination, reading, writing, compensation, and communication skills are all desirable in potential employees. Because complex building structures necessitate cooperation, consultation, and agreement on all components that allow the structure to function, teamwork is equally important. Additional training and refresher programs are available to help employees stay current on industry developments.