Maintenance engineer: Job description

Maintenance engineers plan the routine maintenance of equipment and machinery. They work on-site or remotely diagnose faults and oversee time-critical repairs. All work carried out is either preventative or emergency maintenance

Maintenance engineers work in manufacturing, production or transport and may use computerised systems to schedule the work. Other types of work include mechanical, electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic work. 

Maintenance engineering plays a vital role in the efficiency, development and progress of manufacturing and processing industries. Maintenance engineers work with other professionals in order to improve production facilities, reduce the incidence of costly breakdowns and develop strategies to improve overall reliability and safety of plant, personnel and production processes.

Typical work activities

Responsibilities and tasks may vary from role to role but typical work activities include:

• designing maintenance strategies, procedures and methods;
• planning and scheduling planned and unplanned work;
• diagnosing breakdown problems;
• carrying out quality inspections on jobs;
• liaising with client departments and customers;
• arranging specialist procurement of fixtures, fittings or components;
• controlling maintenance tools, stores and equipment;
• monitoring and controlling maintenance costs;
• writing maintenance strategies to help with installation and commissioning guidelines.