What Does a Technical Engineer Do?

A technical engineer, also known as a technical support engineer, can work in a variety of fields such as computer technology, electrical engineering, or mechanical engineering. His or her primary responsibility is to be familiar with the technical processes of a specific industry and to be able to assist others with technical issues. A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field of engineering, as well as various types of professional and technical certifications, are required for most jobs in the technical engineering field. To keep up with ever-changing technology, most technical engineer jobs require ongoing training and technological skill advancement.

A technical engineer’s primary responsibilities include providing engineering or technical support to a company or organization in a particular field. Technical engineers ensure that all technical or mechanical equipment is operating properly within safety margins, and they are always ready to troubleshoot equipment or systems and provide solutions when they fail or become inefficient. This job may also include teaching people how to use equipment properly and providing information on how to use equipment or systems. New or entry-level technical engineers may be required to receive training from technical engineers. Whatever field of technical engineering you work in, having a thorough understanding of the relevant technical processes, systems, and equipment is essential.

A technical engineer with computer experience or training could work as an information technology (IT) professional for a company with a large website or computer system. The technical engineer’s job entails ensuring the proper operation and maintenance of computer systems. Working on operating systems, servers, databases, web applications, and wireless networks are all possible responsibilities in this position. Other responsibilities could include system design, implementation, testing, and maintenance. The responsibilities vary depending on the employer, but they usually include a mix of technical support and overall IT system maintenance.

A petrochemical company might hire a technical engineer to develop and support the operating functions of equipment in processing plants, storage tanks, control systems, and other petrochemical-related facilities. This technical engineer’s job entails identifying and investigating equipment performance issues, as well as finding appropriate solutions to those issues. Other responsibilities could include giving personnel expert advice on how to safely operate various mechanical or electrical equipment and systems in order to maximize performance and asset reliability.