Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

The Work

Production engineering technicians work in a wide range of industries and production areas, including food processing, electronics assembly, pharmaceuticals and textiles.

Their role is to help design, develop and improve production systems. In large companies, production engineering technicians often specialise in a particular area of production.

In design offices, they prepare plans and designs for production systems, and calculate costs. They use computer-aided design (CAD) technology to produce a computer model of the new or improved system. They may help to work out the cost of any new technology that must be added to make the system more efficient.

Manufacturing is a fast-changing area - it uses sophisticated equipment such as lasers, computer technology, automated assembly machines and robotics. Production engineering technicians install the production system's machinery, testing it to make sure it works properly.

Once production has begun, they make sure that all machinery is safe and working to full capacity. They may supervise teams of maintenance workers to locate, diagnose and repair any faults in the machinery. Some production engineering technicians are involved in quality assurance work.

This means they test the product at key stages in the system, to make sure the process is safe and running smoothly, and that the product is of high quality.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Test selected products at specified stages in the production process for performance characteristics or adherence to specifications.
• Compile and evaluate statistical data to determine and maintain quality and reliability of products.
• Study time, motion, methods, or speed involved in maintenance, production, or other operations to establish standard production rate or improve efficiency.
• Read worker logs, product processing sheets, or specification sheets to verify that records adhere to quality assurance specifications.
• Verify that equipment is being operated and maintained according to quality assurance standards by observing worker performance.
• Aid in planning work assignments in accordance with worker performance, machine capacity, production schedules, or anticipated delays.
• Evaluate industrial operations for compliance with permits or regulations related to the generation, storage, treatment, transportation, or disposal of hasardous materials or waste.
• Adhere to all applicable regulations, policies, and procedures for health, safety, and environmental compliance.
• Analyse, estimate, or report production costs.
• Assist engineers in developing, building, or testing prototypes or new products, processes, or procedures.

Further Information

• Manufacturing Technician - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Manufacturing Technician - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Manufacturing Technician - from: Intel
• Manufacturing Technician - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Apprenticeship Route

The official entry route for a Manufacturing Technician is through undertaking an apprenticeship.

Click here to find information on the Manufacturing Technology apprenticeship

There are many pathways for you to develop the skills & qualifications to progress towards a career as a Manufacturing Technician: 

FET Centre Traineeship Engineering operations & manufacturing NFQ level 5 search our FET coursefinder

FET Centre Post leaving cert courses Engineering & manufacturing, pre apprenticeship courses at NFQ level 5 search our FET PLC coursefinder

Apprenticeship Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship at NFQ level 6 search apprenticeships

• Academic block release: 15 weeks per year.

• Summer intake: Apprenticeship contracts start in July for September academic block.

• Autumn intake: Apprenticeship contracts start in November for January academic block

Apprenticeship Entry requirements: 

Pass (Grade O6 or better) in five leaving certificate subjects, 2 of which must be maths and a language (English or Irish) 250 CAO points; In the case of a mature student (over 23 years) an industry interview is required.

Higher Education CAO entry  General engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering Design, Engineering (Common entry) Search our CAO Coursefinder

Qualifications for the role of the Manufacturing Technician are those in Engineering disciplines - NFQ Level 6 degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Manufacturing/Polymer Engineering or equivalent.

Professional Development

Engineering Ireland

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €55k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Morgan McKinley/ Clark / Excel/ Indeed/ Osborne

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment levels fell between 2021 and 2022, by approximately 3,000 persons, but remained above 2017 levels, resulting in a positive, but below average, annual average growth rate for the five-year period. Employment for this occupation was primarily in industry (accounting for a 60% share of employment). Employment permits issued were across a variety of technician roles (e.g. process, manufacturing, laboratory). The Recruitment Agency Survey identified vacancies for maintenance technicians in manufacturing with electrical/mechanical skills as difficult-to-fill.

Employers (Skills for Growth) experienced difficulties in filling a range of engineering technician roles, including aircraft technicians and manufacturing technicians, particularly for those with digital skills and knowledge of procedures/processes. There was a 3% increase in the number of online job adverts in 2022, driven by increases in electrical/electronic technicians and, to a lesser extent, laboratory technicians.

New apprenticeship registrations for a number of industry related technicians (including lab analysts) have risen strongly since the first of these programmes were introduced in 2017; by 2022 there were 314 new registrations across a range of apprenticeships (lab analyst, manufacturing technology, OEM engineer etc.) up from approximately 100 in 2017. Although demand seems to be lessening for these roles, issues with attracting suitable candidates remain for maintenance and laboratory technicians in particular, at least in the short-term.

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