Assembly Technician Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of an assembly technician. You can use our job description template in this article to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as an assembly technician.
Who is an Assembly Technician?
The main responsibility of an assembly technician is to keep the assembly line running. His job is to investigate what’s happening on the assembly line and adjust it so that everything runs smoothly. They may also perform other tasks, such as training new workers on the line, transporting materials, and suggesting improvements to management.
To determine what needs to be done on the line, the assembly technician must first perform basic inspections and collect data. This means physically entering the assembly area and examining individual machines and their parts. He must also collect and analyze computer-generated data on machine operation and examine gauges, dials, and other similar equipment. The technician looks for data readings that fall outside the acceptable range, physical imperfections, or machine problems, and checks to see if machines have what they need to operate, such as the correct amount of oil or electrical connection. The assembly technician also listens carefully during the inspection to determine where the problems are and how critical they are.
Once the technician has the results of the inspection, he or she makes adjustments to the assembly line if necessary. Sometimes it’s as simple as turning a knob. Other times, the assembly technician must oversee a major physical adjustment that may require saws, wrenches, presses, test lights, and other equipment. An assembly technician may also make adjustments to the line by entering specific commands into computer programs.
To determine how to solve problems on the line, the assembly must be good at reading technical documents and translating them into a workable plan of action.
Making adjustments on the assembly line can slow or even stop production, so the assembly technician consults with the line operator and other line managers to develop an adjustment strategy. Together with these professionals, he makes decisions about how and when adjustments will be made. He also determines who will carry out the work he can’t do himself because of a lack of specific technical expertise or skill.
An assembly technician does not always have what he needs to repair the line in the assembly area. There are times when he may have to remove defective parts or machines from the assembly area after repairs have been completed. Also, he may have to transport materials from one area to another, often with a forklift.
An assembly technician may also be responsible for training workers on the production line. This is because they have technical knowledge of the entire production line and the machines and other equipment on it. He or she may also train other technicians who can assist or replace him or her after retirement.
Assembly Technician Job Description
Below are the assembly technician job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of the assembly technician include the following:
- Performing complex and advanced product assemblies according to specifications and instructions.
- Performing high-precision calibrations and advanced adjustments using test tools.
- Interacting directly with customers to meet their expectations and product specifications
- Developing assembly and test procedures to promote the production of quality products.
- Monitoring the operation of all equipment and reporting any problems or non-conforming conditions to the supervisor.
- Ensuring that all records are maintained following standard operating procedures.
- Ensuring assembly of equipment following engineering drawings.
- Cleaning of all parts in accordance with established cleaning procedures.
- Engaging in pre-assembly activities such as cleaning and lubrication.
- Performing product and performance tests and recording results.
- Performing final checks and adjustments for any defects to ensure high-quality products.
- Perform installation, repair, inspection, reassembly, replacement, rebuilding, and adjustment of products as required.
- Ordering and stocking materials and supplies to avoid material shortages.
- Receiving, unloading, unpacking, and moving materials to various workstations.
- Developing preventive maintenance procedures to avoid breakdowns and malfunctions.
- Maintaining a clean, safe and orderly work area.
- Interpreting technical documents such as diagrams, schematics, drawings, or other oral or written instructions.
- Working with other line or crew members to assemble products.
- Complying with all company and industry safety requirements.
- Identifying defective items and dealing with them according to established procedures.
- Distinguishing the quality of components and materials used in production
- Identifying parts and tools used in the assembly process.
- Following company procedures and instructions.
- Testing finished products for defects.
- Maintaining tools used to create products.
- Reading and interpreting blueprints, engineering drawings, and specifications.
- Planning assembly procedures, using stopping points and designated holding areas to ensure efficient workflow.
- Positioning and aligning parts on workpieces according to blueprint or drawing instructions.
- Using hand tools and power tools to fit parts together, tighten screws, and make other required adjustments.
- Testing assembled products for proper operation before releasing them for production.
- Maintaining a clean work area and equipment using safe practices, including the use of protective gear when necessary.
- Reporting any defective parts or assembly problems to the supervisor immediately.
- Following all safety protocols while working with machinery and parts.
- Completing required paperwork, including shipping and receiving logs, when completing assembly tasks.
- Performing other duties as assigned by the supervisor or as needed to maintain efficient assembly operations.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED.
- Attention to detail
- Mechanical skills
- Ability to lift at least 50 pounds.
- Willingness to perform repetitive tasks while sitting or standing for extended periods.
- Must have good vision, including depth perception, peripheral vision, and ability to distinguish colors.
Essential Skills
The following are skills that an assembly technician must possess:
- Communication
Assembly technicians use verbal communication every day. They talk to colleagues and supervisors to give instructions on how to assemble certain parts. They also report problems so that supervisors can solve them promptly.
Written communication is also essential for an assembly technician. The assembler fills out production and quality forms and ensures that they contain accurate and precise information. Most of the time, the technician will also request a repair team to visit and make repairs as needed. These reports should contain accurate and easy-to-understand information about the problems that need to be solved.
- Reading comprehension
Reading comprehension is another important skill for assembly technicians. These professionals read and interpret drawings to perform their tasks. Depending on the type of company they work for, an assembly technician may be responsible for assembling a wide range of products. It is important to follow the instructions on the various drawings and pay attention to minor discrepancies. Blueprints or drawings may contain a combination of written instructions and visual illustrations, so the ability to interpret diagrams is also important for assembly technicians.
- Organizational skills
The assembly technician must have good organizational skills to carry out his/her duties. Many of the parts used by assembly technicians are small and can easily be misplaced. Therefore, knowing the location of these parts can improve the efficiency of the assembly technician. The assembly technician also benefits from keeping the work area clean and tidy to minimize the time spent searching for misplaced parts.
Organizational skills can also help the assembly technician understand which parts are in stock and which should be ordered.
- Conservational skills
The ability to conserve resources is beneficial to an assembly technician’s success. The appropriate use of equipment and materials can help the company an assembly technician is working for in reducing operating costs. Ingenuity can also minimize unnecessary waste and ensure that the comp company complies with environmental regulations.
- Machine maintenance
Assembly technicians do a lot of manual work, but some of their essential tasks require the use of heavy machinery. An assembly technician must know how to maintain their machinery. If they know how to spot a machinery problem or fault, they will know the right time to call a repair team to prevent further damage.
- Attention to details
Assembly work requires great attention to detail. The assembly technician is responsible for following instructions carefully and checking connections to ensure they fit properly. They may also have to change dimensions to meet certain requirements.
- Physical fitness
The work of an assembly technician is physically demanding and physical fitness may be required to do a better job. For example, assembly technicians may have to stand for long periods and perform repetitive tasks. They may also have to bend over to pick things up or climb ladders to get supplies. Assembly technicians regularly lift objects weighing between 10 and 45 pounds. Proper strength training can help to prevent injury and ensure they can perform all aspects of their job well.
- Dexterity
Assembly technicians regularly handle small parts in their work. If you are dexterous with your hands, you can succeed in this profession. With this skill, you can grip, clamp and secure these parts so that they fit together properly.
How to Become an Assembly Technician
Here are the steps to follow to become an assembly technician.
- Get a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
For assembly technicians, the minimum requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent. For more advanced education, you will need to take maths and science during high school to prepare you for university-level courses. Even if you do not have a high school diploma, a GED can help you to become an assembly technician.
- Consider joining an electronics certification program.
Electronics certification programs can help you gain the knowledge and skills needed to work as an assembly technician. The Institute of Electronics Technicians offers several certifications to help you develop your skills, including Certified Electronics Technician (CET), and Certified Instrumentation Technician (CIT).
The CET certificate is aimed at entry-level technicians working with consumer or industrial electronics. At least two years of experience in the maintenance and repair of electronic equipment is required to obtain the certificate. They must also pass a written examination covering topics such as reading electrical schematics, soldering techniques, and basic electrical principles.
- Gain experience in the use of electronic equipment and tools
While pursuing your degree, you should gain practical experience in using electronic equipment and tools. This will help you develop the skills you need to succeed in your role. You may find entry-level work at an electronics company or repair center where you can learn how to use test equipment and other assembly tools.
With the right experience, you can also do electronics-related volunteer work in the community. For example, you could volunteer to help local engineers with projects such as installing new streetlights.
- Understand electrical schematics and construction drawings.
Assembly engineers must be able to read and understand electrical schematics and construction drawings. These diagrams show the connections of all the components that make up an electronic device. Assembly technicians look at these diagrams to determine the position of each component in the device.
The representation of wiring diagrams and schematics is often complex, so assembly technicians need to be able to read and understand them.
- Ensure you possess good attention to details
Assembly technicians must be able to pay attention to detail when working with blueprints and schematics. Assembly technicians often work under great pressure. It is therefore important to concentrate on avoiding mistakes. They must also be able to follow written instructions carefully and carry out their work without supervision.
- Develop good problem-solving skills
Assembly technicians must be able to identify and solve problems that arise during the assembly process. Since assembly technicians often work with complex equipment, they must have a good understanding of how different parts fit together. They also need to know where to get spare parts if they break or malfunction.
Assembly technicians should always be careful when handling fragile parts. If they notice anything abnormal on any part of the circuit board, they should stop work immediately and consult their supervisor before continuing.
- Make sure you can work under pressure
Assembly technicians may work under pressure to meet deadlines and production schedules. In these situations, they must remain calm and focused and find quick solutions to problems. Assembly technicians who get the job done on time and maintain a high level of quality are more likely to be respected in the industry and have more job opportunities.
Where to Work as an Assembly Technician
The following are the places where assembly technicians can work:
- Manufacturing companies
- Assembly plants
- Repair shops
- Maintenance facilities
- Service centers
- Home businesses.
- Industrial plants
Assembly Technician Salary Scale
Salaries for assembly technicians in the United States range from $19,240 to $66,086, with a median salary of $29,080.