Typical job roles

Offer engineering support, technical leadership and expertise.

They may be installation technicians, process technicians, production support technicians, senior maintenance technicians, test and commissioning technicians.

This occupation is found in the engineering and manufacturing sector. Sectors typically include maritime, maritime defence, automotive, energy, engineering construction and general engineering maintenance industries. Lead maintenance engineering technicians typically perform a multi-disciplinary role, managing or leading other technicians. They may specialise in areas such as mechanical, electronic, or electrical engineering. Employers range from small to large businesses who deliver or require maintenance support. They include major asset owners and operators, the supply chain, contractors and sub-contractors. Typical workplaces include private and public sector manufacturing factories. They can also include dockyards and shipyards, vehicle maintenance facilities, onboard operational vehicles and vessels.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to offer engineering support, technical leadership and expertise. Examples can include support for installation, refit, overhaul, alteration, upgrading, design and maintenance. They can also provide support for testing of significant assets, systems or machinery. They assist in the delivery of complex and critical asset management programmes. These asset management programmes are often to unique specifications involving complex maintenance and planning. They analyse technical information, plan schedules, co-ordinate, lead and deliver work on time. They ensure work is completed to the required quality, following product and personnel safety processes. They provide customer liaison, leadership, support and expertise to maintenance teams on technical issues. They deal with problems that occur using a structured and controlled approach. They carry out inspections on systems, equipment and components. They may lead on the commissioning back into operation after maintenance and overhaul. They can work in office environments while conducting research or maintenance design and scheduling activities. They can be in a workshop environment or outdoors conducting maintenance and commissioning activities. Depending on the organisation, they might be expected to work flexibly, including shift work. They may also be ‘on-call’, to meet customer requirements.

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Typical Tasks

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with operators and maintenance teams. They also interact with shift leaders, senior engineers, senior test engineers, design engineers, quality engineers. They may work with procedure writers, procurement managers and resource allocation colleagues. Externally they liaise with customers and suppliers at operational and senior levels. Depending on the industry, they may also interact with regulators.


Entry criteria

4 or 5 GCSEs at grade 9 to 4 (A* to C) including English and Mathematics for a Level 4 Apprenticeship Standard. Ideally have a Level 3 Engineering qualification, typically a BTec Level 3 to a high standard (Distinction / Distinction) . Must have a excellent proficiency in mathematics.


Typical duration

24 – 48 months


Career/progression opportunities

Completion of the Lead Engineering Maintenance Technician Level 4 apprenticeship is designed to be recognised by relevant Professional Engineering Institutions at the appropriate level of professional registration.

Dependent on employer requirements, progression onto higher level qualifications (Degree) or a Higher/Degree Apprenticeship.



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