Sensor engineering technician
Also known as: sensor and actuator technician, sensor development technician, technician in electronic sensors, sensor systems technician, electronics sensor technician, technician in sensor engineering
About this occupation
Sensor engineering technicians collaborate with sensor engineers in the development of sensors, sensor systems, and products that are equipped with sensors. Their role is to build, test, maintain, and repair the sensor equipment.
A specialisation of electronics engineering technician.
Essential skills and knowledge
- record test data
- read engineering drawings
- inspect quality of products
- sensors
- prepare production prototypes
- electronic equipment standards
- electronics
- adjust engineering designs
- design drawings
- align components
- operate scientific measuring equipment
- solder electronics
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Photonics Technicians (O*NET 17-3029.08). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Compute or record photonic test data.
- Maintain clean working environments, according to clean room standards.
- Adjust or maintain equipment, such as lasers, laser systems, microscopes, oscilloscopes, pulse generators, power meters, beam analyzers, or energy measurement devices.
- Document procedures, such as calibration of optical or fiber optic equipment.
- Set up or operate assembly or processing equipment, such as lasers, cameras, die bonders, wire bonders, dispensers, reflow ovens, soldering irons, die shears, wire pull testers, temperature or humidity chambers, or optical spectrum analyzers.
- Assist scientists or engineers in the conduct of photonic experiments.
- Typical education (US)
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Active Learning
US median pay: US$78,350 a year (2025), 59,930 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).
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (3.8)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.5)
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalImportant (3.4)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyImportant (3.4)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.2)
- PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsImportant (3.2)
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 Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
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.
- Photonics Engineers
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Calibration Technologists and Technicians
- Robotics Technicians
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
- Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians
- Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
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.