What does a Manufacturing Technician do?
A Manufacturing Technician takes goods from schematic to finished products. By performing their assigned Manufacturing Technician job duties proficiently, they allow manufacturing companies to produce a sufficient number of parts to meet client demand. Their quality control responsibilities also ensure that goods sold meet or exceed expectations to ensure customer satisfaction and encourage repeat business. When they properly maintain and clean equipment, a Manufacturing Technician may help to extend the life of the machinery, so companies can maximize their return on investment and postpone the purchase of replacements.
Manufacturing Technician skills and qualifications
To perform well in Manufacturing Technician careers, candidates must possess certain skills. The following are some qualifications that may indicate a quality candidate:
-
Ability to remain at workstation for prolonged periods
-
Written communication skills to complete reports
-
Ability to manipulate buttons, levers and dials to operate machinery
-
Attentiveness to detail to spot flaws in products or problems with equipment
-
Problem-solving abilities to troubleshoot
-
Ability to move materials or finished goods from one location to another
-
Familiarity with numerical control machining (CNC) equipment and software
-
Time management skills to produce the required number of parts or products each shift
Manufacturing Technician experience requirements
How much experience is necessary for success in Manufacturing Technician careers varies by industry. Pharmaceuticals, dietary products, medical equipment, scientific instruments, electronics components and precision parts typically require more strict quality controls and involve extra responsibilities, such as sterilizing equipment. In these industries, Manufacturing Technicians may require 2-3 years of experience working in general manufacturing. If your company’s manufacturing process doesn’t involve high-level quality control, candidates with no experience who receive on-the-job training may be able to execute Manufacturing Technician job duties well.
Manufacturing Technician education and training requirements
General Manufacturing Technician jobs typically require no education beyond a high school diploma or GED. For Manufacturing Technician careers in specialty manufacturing, some post-secondary training or education may be necessary. Depending on your industry, you may wish to focus on candidates who have completed an apprenticeship, obtained a certificate or diploma from a technical training school or earned an associate degree in manufacturing technology. Holding a Manufacturing Technician Certification from the Manufacturing Skills Institute (MSI) can also set candidates apart. To earn this certification, technicians must complete an approved training course and pass an examination.
Manufacturing Technician salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Manufacturing Technician is $48,304 per year. How much candidates can expect to be paid varies based on geographic location, employer’s industry, experience, training and education.
Job description samples for similar positions
If the Manufacturing Technician job duties don’t exactly match your company’s needs, one of the following alternatives may be a better fit:
Manufacturing Technician job description FAQs
Who does a Manufacturing Technician report to?
Who a Manufacturing Technician reports to will vary based on your company’s organizational structure. In many cases, companies divide the manufacturing process into stages and then create teams to handle each stage. The team usually has a main supervisor who oversees all the Manufacturing Technicians. Factories that operate around the clock may have Shift Supervisors who oversee Manufacturing Technicians during a given shift and then report to the main supervisor.
What is the difference between a Machinist and a Manufacturing Technician?
Both Machinists and Manufacturing Technicians produce parts or finished goods. However, Machinists have more responsibilities. They produce precision parts and instruments and must design and build custom tools for manufacturing them. Manufacturing Technicians typically have the equipment and tools needed for producing goods provided.
What makes a good Manufacturing Technician job description?
When creating a Manufacturing Technician job description, details matter. Make sure to describe the working conditions and the industry, so candidates can determine if they are the right fit. Adding information about benefits, such as health insurance, paid time off and retirement plans, can help to attract candidates.
*Indeed provides this information as a courtesy to users of this site. Please note that we are not your recruiting or legal advisor, we are not responsible for the content of your job descriptions, and none of the information provided herein guarantees performance.