Automation Engineering Technician
Key facts
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.
Automation engineering technicians play a vital role in the design, implementation, and upkeep of automated production processes. Working closely with automation engineers, you'll be involved in every stage, from initial system development to ongoing maintenance and troubleshooting. This occupation combines technical skills with problem-solving abilities to ensure automated systems operate reliably and effectively.
- • Constructing, testing, and calibrating computer-controlled systems and automation equipment.
- • Monitoring system performance and identifying areas for improvement or optimization.
- • Troubleshooting and resolving technical issues related to automated production systems.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Figures cover Science and engineering associate professionals — 267 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Bulgaria, Denmark, Ireland, Norway.
Longest-running shortage: Norway, 4 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
What these words mean
The four things this section reports
- Reported demand
- Whether employers report needing people in this job — a judgement published by a national or EU body, not a count.
- Where it is heading
- Which way employment in this job is expected to move over the coming years, from an official projection.
- Openings
- Roughly how many openings arise — from growth and from people leaving the job.
- Typical pay
- What people in this job typically earn where the source publishes it. Blank does not mean unpaid; it means nobody publishes it for that place.
A measure is left out when nobody publishes it for that place, rather than shown as zero.
Which way the market leans for you
- In your favour
- More openings than people looking — employers are competing for candidates.
- Balanced
- Openings and candidates are roughly matched.
- Competitive
- More people looking than openings — expect to compete.
- Mixed evidence
- Sources disagree, or the same occupation group is short in one part and oversupplied in another.
Every source resolves to one of these four, so there is a single vocabulary to learn. What differs is the evidence behind it, which is printed underneath each verdict — a measured ratio of openings to jobseekers, or an assessment published by a national body.
How this job compares with other jobs in the same country
- Strong
- Among the strongest in that country
- Good
- Stronger than most jobs in that country
- Mixed
- About typical for that country
- Weak
- Weaker than most jobs in that country
This is a rank within one country, not a score you can carry across borders — the registers behind two countries count different people, so the same number means different things in each. It is also why a job can be among the strongest in a country and still show as Competitive: it leads the field in a market that is crowded overall.
Where these come from
Every figure is published by a national statistics office, a public employment service or an EU body, and each card names its source and the period it covers. Some places are counted monthly, others assessed once or twice a year, so two places on the same map can be describing different moments — the date is always shown.
None of this predicts one person’s chances. It describes a market.
Reported demand · Typical pay · Where it is heading (United States, Ireland, Australia, Malta, United Kingdom)
| Reported demand | Typical pay | Where it is heading | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Not reported | $73,900 2025-05 | +1.1% 2024–2034 · BLS 2024-2034 |
| Ireland | Shortage reported ELA/EURES 2025 * | — | +13.7% 2023–2035 · Cedefop 2026 * |
| Australia | Shortage reported Jobs and Skills Australia 2025 * | — | — |
| Malta | Shortage reported ELA/EURES 2024 * | — | — |
| United Kingdom | Not reported | £33,242 2025-provisional | — |
* Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS)
Source: Office for National Statistics, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Open Government Licence v3.0
Do you guide students, clients or employees? Use this occupation data in your organisation.
Future Outlook for automation engineering technician
The outlook for automation engineering technician reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could automation engineering technician change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
Model-based estimate. Use it as a planning signal, not a guarantee.
Compare this to your profile
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- assist scientific research
- liaise with engineers
- perform test run
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- read engineering drawings
- inspect quality of products
- prepare production prototypes
Tasks most exposed to automation
- record test data
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Advanced Manufacturing
A typical day as an automation engineering technician
09 09:00 · Morning interpret circuit diagrams
10 10:30 · Mid-morning assemble mechatronic units
12 12:00 · Midday assemble sensors
14 14:00 · Afternoon install automation components
15 15:30 · Late afternoon install mechatronic equipment
17 17:00 · Wrap-up maintain robotic equipment
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
What you need to do this work
The skills, knowledge and tools this role calls for — and the traits and rewards that come with it.
-
perform test run
Perform 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, and adjust settings accordingly.
-
test mechatronic units
Test mechatronic units using appropriate equipment. Gather and analyse data. Monitor and evaluate system performance and take action if needed.
-
test sensors
Test sensors using appropriate equipment. Gather and analyse data. Monitor and evaluate system performance and take action if needed.
-
read engineering drawings
Read the technical drawings of a product made by the engineer in order to suggest improvements, make models of the product or operate it.
-
interpret circuit diagrams
Read and comprehend circuit diagrams showing the connections between the devices, such as power and signal connections.
-
assemble mechatronic units
Assemble mechatronic units using mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, electronic, and information technology systems and components. Manipulate and attach metals through using welding and soldering techniques, glue, screws, and rivets. Install wiring. Install drive systems, sensors, actuators, and transducers. Mount switches, control devices, coverings, and protection.
-
assemble sensors
Mount chips on a sensor substrate and attach them using soldering or wafer bumping techniques.
-
set up machine controls
Set up or adjust machine controls to regulate conditions such as material flow, temperature, or pressure.
-
liaise with engineers
Collaborate with engineers to ensure common understanding and discuss product design, development and improvement.
-
fasten components
Fasten components together according to blueprints and technical plans in order to create subassemblies or finished products.
-
assist scientific research
Assist engineers or scientists with conducting experiments, performing analysis, developing new products or processes, constructing theory, and quality control.
-
inspect quality of products
Use 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 data
Record 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 exceptional or unusual input.
-
adjust engineering designs
Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.
mechanical engineering
Discipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.
- automatic control system
- automation technology
- computer engineering
- control engineering
- design drawings
- electrical engineering
- mechatronics
- microprocessors
- quality standards
- robotic components
- robotics
Path to become an automation engineering technician
What it typically takes to qualify: education level, where it is a regulated profession, and where to study.
Short-cycle tertiary education
2,265 programmes in 30 countries teach the core skills of this job. Plus 350 short courses that build single skills.
A few examples, taught in the language of this page:
Diploma in Automation & Control
University of Galway · Ireland
Bachelor of Science Process Instrumentation and Automation
Technological University Dublin · Ireland
Higher Certificate in Engineering in Maintenance Technology
Technological University Dublin · Ireland
Diploma in Manufacturing Automation
University of Galway · Ireland
Advanced Certificate in Craft - Mechanical Automation & Maintenance Fitting
SOLAS · Ireland
Certificate in Intro - PLCs, Control & SCADA
Munster Technological University · Ireland
These are 6 of 2,615.
Sources
- 1. Source: Europass Qualification Dataset Register (European Commission)
Growth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does automation engineering technician fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
mechatronics engineering technician
62% similarityrobotics engineering technician
50% similaritysensor engineering technician
37% similarityelectronics engineering technician
34% similarityelectromechanical engineering technician
31% similaritymicroelectronics engineering technician
28% similarityFor organisations
The data on this page, working for your students, clients and staff.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of industries employ automation engineering technicians?
What skills are most important for success in this role?
Is this a good career path for someone with a background in electronics or mechanics?
How much does Automation Engineering Technician pay in the United States?
Sources: ESCO O*NET ELA/EURES Cedefop BLS Data updated October 3, 2026 About our data