Employers

Technicians work for a variety of companies that use advanced manufacturing processes to create products, but many are employed in the aerospace, biotechnology, consumer products, electric vehicles, energy, information technology, medical devices, pharmaceutical, robotics, and 3–D printing industries. Examples of companies that incorporate advanced manufacturing into their production processes include Archer Daniels Midland Company (food processing, commodities), ABBVIE (biopharmaceuticals); DenTech Industrial (industrial automation), Tesla (electric vehicles), and Boeing (aviation, aerospace). Technicians also work for federal agencies such as the Department of Energy, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the National Science Foundation. Some work as teachers or apprenticeship instructors, while others operate their own consulting firms.

Starting Out

Job leads can be obtained by using the resources of one’s college career services office, via contacts made at in-person and online networking events, by working with recruiters, and by visiting the career Web sites of potential employers. Many technicians land their first jobs after making a good impression during internships, co-ops, and apprenticeships, so be sure to work hard during these experiences and build a reputation as a positive person and hard worker. Opportunities with federal agencies can be accessed at https://www.usajobs.gov.

A skilled technician with a bachelor’s degree in industrial production or engineering can become an advanced manufacturing technologist, who works on higher-level tasks and may also have supervisory duties. Technician who earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering are also qualified to work as engineers, a career that offers much-higher pay than the salaries received by technicians and technologists. After receiving additional training or formal education in business management, a technician may advance to high-level managerial—or even executive-level—positions at their companies. Some technicians teach at community colleges and four-year universities or in apprenticeship programs. Others choose to open their own consulting firms.

Visit the following Web sites for job listings:

• https://iscet-jobs.careerwebsite.com
• https://jobboard.nims-skills.org/jobs
• https://www.indeed.com/q-Advanced-Manufacturing-jobs.html

Get certified. It will give you the edge over other applicants.

Be willing to relocate. It may open more opportunities.