How Do I Get into Maintenance Engineering?

Individuals who are interested in engineering and who have a gift for organization and strategic thinking might find that careers in maintenance engineering are right for them. To get into maintenance engineering, you should earn a bachelor's degree in engineering first. While you are studying for your degree, you might find it valuable to participate in an internship that can give you the experience you need to get a job after graduation. While a graduate degree in engineering, particularly in a specialized field in which you would like to work, can help you to stand apart from the competition, experience might be more important for a person who wants a career in maintenance engineering.

A maintenance engineer is a professional who works in industries such as manufacturing. These professionals are responsible for overseeing all preventative and emergency work performed on a business's equipment. He or she may schedule maintenance and inspect and assesse equipment, and may also be responsible for optimizing equipment and processes. Budgeting is also another important duty of maintenance engineers.

Once you earn your undergraduate degree, your next step toward getting a job in maintenance engineering should be to get an entry level position. Ideally, an entry level position might enable you to begin inspecting and repairing equipment. If you have trouble getting this kind of work in the manufacturing industry, consider work on the supplier side. By working for an equipment vendor, for example, you can receive a hands-on education in the equipment that is used in the field of your choice. Your goal should be to get as much experience as possible putting your engineering skills to use.

Most employers prefer to hire maintenance engineering professionals who have management experience. This position requires individuals to oversee inspections and may also require them to train workers to use equipment properly. Likewise, a maintenance engineer should have an aptitude for smart financial management. As you improve your qualifications as an engineer, you also should look for greater professional responsibility.

In most regions, professionals do have the opportunity to earn certification. A certificate in a field such as plant maintenance management, for example, can help you to become a much more appealing job candidate. In most cases, to earn this kind of certification, you need to have several years of experience performing maintenance on equipment.

You can also benefit from joining professional organizations. The Association for Facilities Engineering (AFE®)in the United States, for example, offers its members courses, workshops, and seminars. These can improve your body of knowledge and provide valuable networking opportunities.