Engineering ServicesISCO 3119

Automation engineering technician

Automation engineering technicians collaborate with automation engineers in the development of applications and systems for the automation of the production process. Automation engineering technicians build, test, monitor, and maintain the computer-controlled systems used in automated production systems.

Check yourself in a minute: automation engineering technician

Rate 5 of the 33 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

interpret circuit diagrams

inspect quality of products

record test data

assemble sensors

adjust engineering designs

About automation engineering technician

As an automation engineering technician, you will play a crucial role in developing, building, and maintaining the sophisticated computer-controlled systems that power modern manufacturing. Your day-to-day work involves collaborating closely with automation engineers to design and implement automated production solutions, assembling and testing complex mechatronic equipment, and ensuring that robotic systems and control mechanisms operate at peak efficiency. You will spend time reading technical drawings, conducting quality inspections, recording test data, and troubleshooting system failures to keep production lines running smoothly.

Your responsibilities extend beyond initial installation—you will regularly monitor automated systems, perform preventive maintenance, adjust engineering designs based on performance data, and align mechanical components with precision. This is a hands-on technical role that requires both theoretical knowledge of electrical engineering, microprocessors, and control systems as well as practical problem-solving skills. The role matters because automation is fundamental to modern manufacturing competitiveness, and technicians like you ensure these systems deliver the quality and reliability that businesses depend on.

Career prospects in Poland are strong, as automation adoption accelerates across manufacturing sectors. With experience, you can advance to senior technician roles, supervisory positions, or specialize in specific technologies like PLC programming or robotic systems. The skills you develop are highly transferable across industries, from automotive to pharmaceuticals to food processing.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a automation engineering technician.

1

Design and Development of Automated Systems

  • Collaborate with automation engineers to interpret design drawings and specifications
  • Assemble mechatronic components including sensors, controllers, and robotic elements
  • Adjust engineering designs based on test results and performance data
2

Testing and Quality Assurance

  • Perform test runs on mechatronic units to verify functionality
  • Record test data and document system performance metrics
  • Inspect quality of products and ensure compliance with quality standards
3

Installation and Configuration

  • Install mechatronic equipment and robotic systems in production environments
  • Align mechanical components with required precision tolerances
  • Configure automatic control systems and program microprocessor settings
4

Maintenance and Troubleshooting

  • Monitor automated systems for performance issues and anomalies
  • Perform regular maintenance on control systems and mechanical components
  • Interpret circuit diagrams to diagnose and resolve electrical and control issues
5

Technical Documentation and Communication

  • Create and maintain technical documentation for installed systems
  • Communicate technical findings and recommendations to engineering team

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (33)

design drawingsdesign drawingsThe drawings detailing the design of products, tools, and engineering systems.electrical engineeringelectrical engineeringThe field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.automatic control systemautomatic control systemSet of interconnected mechanisms and components, such as controllers or sensing elements, that use programming logic to automate the operation and behaviour of a process or system without a continuous...robotic componentsrobotic componentsThe components that can be found in robotic systems, such as microprocessors, electronics, sensors, circuit boards, encoders, servomotors, controllers, pneumatics or hydraulics.computer engineeringcomputer engineeringEngineering discipline that combines computer science with electrical engineering to develop computer hardware and software. Computer engineering occupies itself with electronics, software design, and...microprocessorsmicroprocessorsComputer processors on a microscale that integrate the computer central processing unit (CPU) on a single chip.quality standardsquality standardsThe national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.mechanical engineeringmechanical engineeringDiscipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.control engineeringcontrol engineeringSubdiscipline of engineering that focuses on controlling the behaviour of systems through the use of sensors and actuators.mechatronicsmechatronicsMultidisciplinary field of engineering that combines principles of electrical engineering, telecommunications engineering, control engineering, computer engineering, and mechanical engineering in the ...roboticsroboticsThe branch of engineering that involves the design, operation, manufacture, and application of robots. Robotics is part of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science and over...interpret circuit diagramsinterpret circuit diagramsRead and comprehend circuit diagrams showing the connections between the devices, such as power and signal connections.inspect quality of productsinspect quality of productsUse various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.record test datarecord test dataRecord data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptiona...assemble sensorsassemble sensorsMount chips on a sensor substrate and attach them using soldering or wafer bumping techniques.adjust engineering designsadjust engineering designsAdjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.install mechatronic equipmentinstall mechatronic equipmentInstall equipment used for the automation of a specific machine or device.perform test runperform test runPerform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, ...align componentsalign componentsAlign and lay out components in order to put them together correctly according to blueprints and technical plans.test mechatronic unitstest mechatronic unitsTest mechatronic units using appropriate equipment. Gather and analyse data. Monitor and evaluate system performance and take action if needed.test sensorstest sensorsTest sensors using appropriate equipment. Gather and analyse data. Monitor and evaluate system performance and take action if needed.maintain robotic equipmentmaintain robotic equipmentDiagnose and detect malfunctions in robotic components and systems and remove, replace, or repair these components when necessary. Execute preventative equipment maintenance tasks, such as storing rob...monitor automated machinesmonitor automated machinesContinuously check up on the automated machine's set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment...install automation componentsinstall automation componentsInstall the automation components according to the specifications of the circuit diagram.assemble machinesassemble machinesPut together devices, and components according to drawings. Program and install the components where needed.set up machine controlsset up machine controlsSet up or adjust machine controls to regulate conditions such as material flow, temperature, or pressure.read engineering drawingsread engineering drawingsRead the technical drawings of a product made by the engineer in order to suggest improvements, make models of the product or operate it.liaise with engineersliaise with engineersCollaborate with engineers to ensure common understanding and discuss product design, development and improvement.fasten componentsfasten componentsFasten components together according to blueprints and technical plans in order to create subassemblies or finished products.assist scientific researchassist scientific researchAssist engineers or scientists with conducting experiments, performing analysis, developing new products or processes, constructing theory, and quality control.assemble mechatronic unitsassemble mechatronic unitsAssemble mechatronic units using mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, electronic, and information technology systems and components. Manipulate and attach metals through using welding and sol...prepare production prototypesprepare production prototypesPrepare early models or prototypes in order to test concepts and replicability possibilities. Create prototypes to assess for pre-production tests.automation technologyautomation technologySet of technologies that make a process, system, or apparatus operate automatically through the use of control systems.
Optional (24) — show
firmwarefirmwareFirmware is a software program with a read-only memory (ROM) and a set of instructions that is permanently inscribed on a hardware device. Firmware is commonly used in electronic systems such as compu...programmable logic controllerprogrammable logic controllerProgrammable logic controllers or PLC's are computer control systems used for the monitoring and control of input and output as well as the automation of electromechanical processes.sensorssensorsSensors are transducers that can detect or sense characteristics in their environment. They detect changes in the apparatus or environment and provide a corresponding optical or electrical signal. Sen...CAE softwareCAE softwareThe software to perform computer-aided engineering (CAE) analysis tasks such as Finite Element Analysis and Computional Fluid Dynamics.CAD softwareCAD softwareThe computer-aided design (CAD) software for creating, modifying, analysing or optimising a design.guidance, navigation and controlguidance, navigation and controlThe engineering discipline that deals with the design and development of systems that can control the motion of automobiles, ships, space- and aircraft. It includes control over vehicle's trajectory f...marine technologymarine technologyTechnologies for the safe use, exploitation, protection of, and intervention in the marine environment.follow work schedulefollow work scheduleManage the sequence of activities in order to deliver completed work on agreed deadlines by following a work schedule.resolve equipment malfunctionsresolve equipment malfunctionsIdentify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions. Communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.assemble hardware componentsassemble hardware componentsAssemble the necessary hardware components, such as the motherboard, Central Processing Unit (CPU), hard drive, disk drive, power supply unit, RAM, PCI card, mouse, keyboard, cameras and other necessa...customise software for drive systemcustomise software for drive systemAdapt and customise software to the specific machine or application.use CAM softwareuse CAM softwareUse computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programmes to control machinery and machine tools in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation as part of the manufacturing processes of workpieces.follow standards for machinery safetyfollow standards for machinery safetyApply basic safety standards and machine-specific technical standards to prevent risks connected with the use of machines in the workplace.integrate new products in manufacturingintegrate new products in manufacturingAssist with the integration of new systems, products, methods, and components in the production line. Ensure that production workers are properly trained and follow the new requirements.provide power connection from bus barsprovide power connection from bus barsProvide power connection from copper or metal busbars.write technical reportswrite technical reportsCompose technical customer reports understandable for people without technical background.program a CNC controllerprogram a CNC controllerSet up the desired product design in the CNC controller of the CNC machine for product manufacturing.install softwareinstall softwareInstall machine-readable instructions, such as computer programs, in order to direct the computer's processor to perform a certain set of actions.replace machinesreplace machinesEvaluate when to invest in replacing machines or machine tools and take the necessary actions.keep records of work progresskeep records of work progressMaintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.program firmwareprogram firmwareProgram permanent software with a read-only memory (ROM) on a hardware device, such as an integrated circuit.maintain control systems for automated equipmentmaintain control systems for automated equipmentCheck, maintain and repair electrical and electronic elements. Check and update software of automated equipment.set up automotive robotset up automotive robotSet up and programme an automotive robot working on machine processes and substituting or collaboratively supporting human labour, such as the six-axis automotive robot.apply technical communication skillsapply technical communication skillsExplain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

Frequently asked questions

What does an automation engineering technician do?

Automation engineering technicians collaborate with automation engineers in the development of applications and systems for the automation of the production process. Automation engineering technicians build, test, monitor, and maintain the computer-controlled systems used in automated production systems.

What skills does an automation engineering technician need?

An automation engineering technician needs 33 essential skills, including design drawings, electrical engineering, automatic control system, robotic components, computer engineering.

Will AI replace automation engineering technician jobs?

The AI disruption score for automation engineering technician is 35/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: sensors, record test data, follow work schedule. Most resilient: provide power connection from bus bars, install mechatronic equipment, assemble mechatronic units.

Quick Facts

ISCO GroupScience and engineering associate professionals
Essential Skills33

What are you missing to work as automation engineering technician?

The free skill gap analysis compares your skills with what this occupation requires and shows where to start.

Check your gaps