Overview of the Manufacturing Technician Role
A Manufacturing Technician’s job is to use their understanding of machinery, problem-solving skills, and technical skills to set up, use and maintain machinery in a factory setting.
Using these skills, you will be able to effectively solve any production issues that might arise, such as faulty machinery or low-quality products. A Manufacturing Technician will need to make regular inspections of products, perform tests on sample products, and know how to use the correct materials for each step of the production process.
It is important to understand each step of the production process, including knowledge of specific machines, and quality control measures. Learning about what it takes to become a Manufacturing Technician can be done through education or apprenticeships, where you will gain the relevant qualifications to enter this manufacturing job.
Dress Code
You are recommended to wear sturdy, neat clothing that is not loose fitting. Work pants or sturdy jeans with no rips or holes, polo shirts, t-shirts or fleece jackets and steel-toed boots or closed-toe shoes with good traction are all options.
Manufacturing Technician Responsibilities
A Manufacturing Technician is responsible for understanding, using and maintaining certain machinery within a production line. It is important to keep production standards high and inspect goods through each step of the production process to maintain a high standard of quality.
Manufacturing Technician Tips
Improve on your communication, problem-solving and technical skills to become proficient in this career. It is important to be able to communicate effectively with other technicians, supervisors and managers to find solutions to any problems that arise, and all these skills will be needed to keep productivity high.
Skills of a Manufacturing Technician
A skilled Manufacturing Technician will have knowledge of production processes and machinery to understand how they operate and technical skills for proficient working.
Knowledge of Production Processes
A Manufacturing Technician needs a thorough understanding of the various steps involved in creating a product inside a factory. This includes knowledge of specific machinery, techniques and quality control measures used at each stage of the manufacturing process.
You will need to learn and understand the order in which different steps within the manufacturing process are performed, including material handling, assembly, testing and packaging. Recognise quality standard for inspecting products to ensure consistent quality.
Knowledge of Machinery
It is important for a Manufacturing Technician to have detailed knowledge of machinery and equipment used within a factory. This includes knowing how to use, repair and maintain them to keep production running smoothly and avoid any delays due to malfunctions or emergency repairs.
Knowledge of machinery can be gained either through relevant technical qualifications, or by becoming proficient while working in an apprenticeship, which will involve using the machinery to gain on-the-job experience.
Technical Skills
A Manufacturing Technician will also need good computer skills and problem-solving abilities to be able to solve any issues that arise with the machinery and perform routine maintenance.
It is an important part of a Manufacturing Technician’s job to have the ability to read blueprints and take measurements to make sure all aspects of a product meet the needs of the original patent, as parts will need to fit together well, and any wrong measurements can cause a production line to slow considerably while problems are solved.
Duties of a Manufacturing Technician
Part of a Manufacturing Technician’s job is the operation and maintenance of machinery, performing routine maintenance can help ensure products are produced at a high standard, and any production issues that arise will also be dealt with by the Manufacturing Technician.
Operating & Maintaining Equipment
A Manufacturing Technician will use their learned understanding of machinery and technical skills to operate and maintain the manufacturing equipment. It is important to spot potential issues which conducting maintenance and deal with them swiftly so that small problems do not evolve into something that can affect production.
Knowing and understanding the production processes will help you to use the machinery effectively, as a Manufacturing Technician must know how to use the correct materials and equipment during each stage of production to produce good quality items.
Ensuring Quality Control
To ensure good quality products a Manufacturing Technician will test equipment, inspect products at each stage of the process, and monitor processes as they occur. Testing the equipment is important to make sure there are no leaks, damage or malfunctioning parts that might impact the production line.
Any unmaintained machinery will affect the products, which is why test samples will need to be inspected, and finished products must be compared to the original patents, to make sure all products are finished to a high standard and are of excellent quality before shipping.
Resolving Production Issues
To resolve production issues, systematically identify the root cause of a problem on the production line. Use your analysis abilities and data-gathering skills to implement corrective action and monitor the results to ensure the issue is resolved.
All these steps need to be taken to make sure that production runs smoothly, and it will require the Manufacturing Technician’s problem-solving skills and understanding of machinery to come to the correct and more effective solution to a problem.
Manufacturing Technician Career Progression & Advancement
A Manufacturing Technician can gain the skills and experience they need in their role to progress into supervisor roles. There is also the option to specialise in advanced technologies and find a new career there.
Advancing to Supervisor Roles
On top of gaining substantial experience in the Manufacturing Technician role, demonstrate your leadership skills by working with a team to fix any production issues or mentoring junior technicians. You should show that you can confidently work effectively with colleagues to achieve production goals.
Develop your technical skills by deepening your understanding of the machinery and procedures that you use in your manufacturing area and identify potential areas for improvement.
Consider pursuing qualifications in manufacturing management, quality control, or industrial engineering.
Specialising in Advanced Technologies
Look into gaining industry specific certifications in advanced technologies such as robotics technician, or automation professional, and actively seek opportunities within your company to work on projects that implement advanced technologies.
Stay up to date with industry trends that you could apply to your work and seek professional development opportunities that might benefit your role within the company.
It is important to expand your knowledge and understanding of technology to progress into this field, as new technologies can have a steep learning curve.
FAQs on Becoming a Manufacturing Technician
Do You Need Qualifications to Become a Manufacturing Technician?
Yes, you do need qualifications to become a Manufacturing Technician. Apprenticeships offer on-the-job experience while you earn your qualifications, but you can also study at university for a relevant degree in manufacturing technology.
How Much Can a Manufacturing Technician Earn?
The average salary for a Manufacturing Technician is around £29,000 with some variation occurring due to location, experience and qualifications.
What Does a Manufacturing Technician Do?
A Manufacturing Technician is responsible for setting up and operating machinery on a production line. It is their responsibility to monitor the manufacturing process to ensure quality standards are met.
