Maintenance and repair engineer
Also known as: machine engineer, mechanical engineer, production engineer, plant repair engineer, site superintendent, manufacturing engineer
About this occupation
Maintenance and repair engineers focus on the optimization of equipment, procedures, machineries and infrastructure. They ensure their maximum availability at minimum costs.
Essential skills and knowledge
- engineering processes
- troubleshoot
- perform test run
- conduct routine machinery checks
- quality assurance procedures
- work safely with machines
- write technical reports
- engineering principles
- manage budgets
- inspect machinery
- conduct quality control analysis
- resolve equipment malfunctions
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Logistics Engineers (O*NET 13-1081.01). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Identify cost-reduction or process-improvement logistic opportunities.
- Analyze or interpret logistics data involving customer service, forecasting, procurement, manufacturing, inventory, transportation, or warehousing.
- Prepare logistic strategies or conceptual designs for production facilities.
- Conduct logistics studies or analyses, such as time studies, zero-base analyses, rate analyses, network analyses, flow-path analyses, or supply chain analyses.
- Develop logistic metrics, internal analysis tools, or key performance indicators for business units.
- Identify or develop business rules or standard operating procedures to streamline operating processes.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Conventional, Investigative, Realistic
Top skills: Systems Analysis, Writing, Complex Problem Solving, Systems Evaluation, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening
US median pay: US$82,320 a year (2025), 251,040 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (4.0)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (3.9)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyVery important (3.8)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.7)
- Economics or AccountingO*NET: Economics and AccountingImportant (3.5)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.4)
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignImportant (3.4)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Logistics Analysts
- Industrial Engineers
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
- Logisticians
- Supply Chain Managers
- Manufacturing Engineers
- Project Management Specialists
- Sales Engineers
- Industrial Production Managers
- Operations Research Analysts
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.