In businesses such as manufacturing or shipping, an operations engineer is a specialist in charge of ensuring that the company’s operations are functioning correctly. Operations engineers are needed to handle repairs or upgrades to the company’s equipment and collaborate with department heads to help them fine-tune their operations system. When operations engineers have improved their plans, they should train managers, employees, and other personnel. They must also inspect equipment for faults and provide maintenance dates to department heads. Here’s our guide on what is an operating engineer.
Operating Engineers work in a wide range of occupations, including highway and building construction (sometimes known as Hoisting and Portable, relating to the sort of equipment employed), mining, tollways, municipalities, tunnels, slag, landscaping, power plants, refineries, railroads, quarries (often called Lumbering or Skidding), rock-forming facilities that produce sand and gravel; utility work such as gas pipeline laying.
Another Interesting Read: How To Solve Triangle Rubik’s Cube
What Is Operations Engineering?
Operations engineering is a field of industrial engineering, business administration, and operations management that deals with the development, improvement, and implementation of integrated systems of people, money, knowledge, information, equipment, energy, materials, analysis, and synthesis, as well as the mathematical and statistical models used to support these systems.
Types Of Operations Engineering
There are three types of operations engineering:
-Product Operations Engineering
-Service Operations Engineering
-Process Operations Engineering
Product operations engineering deals with designing, developing, and improving products and systems. Service operations engineering deals with the design, development, and improvement of services. Process operations engineering deals with the design, development, and improvement of processes.
Operations engineers work in various industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, and more.
What Does An Operations Engineer Do?
An operations engineer is in charge of a firm’s operations system. Your primary tasks as an operations engineer include developing heavy equipment layouts, assisting with technical issues, analyzing machinery, running tests, and making changes. You are in command of conducting investigations and applying engineering theories and principles to enhance computer systems. Updating systems, repairing machinery, giving preemptive maintenance, and maintaining records were also part of your responsibilities.
How To Become An Operations Engineer?
There are a few different ways to become an operations engineer. You can get a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, business administration, or operations management. Alternatively, you could get a degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, or manufacturing engineering and then complete an operations engineer certification program. Finally, you could also become an operations engineer by completing an apprenticeship program.
Job Responsibilities of An Operating Engineer
- Define and identify operational objectives
- Review work orders and other documentation to develop an understanding of project requirements
- Select equipment and tools based on project specifications
- Inspect completed work for compliance with standards and specifications
- Operate construction or material handling equipment
- Perform routine maintenance on equipment
- Ensure the safety of self and coworkers
- Remove debris from work area
- Follow all safety policies and procedures
- Report any accidents or injuries immediately
- Document worked hours for payroll purposes
- Comply with all company policies and procedures
Job Skills Of An Operating Engineer
- Technical skills
- Operate construction or material handling equipment
- Perform routine maintenance on equipment
- Use precision measuring devices
- Analytical skills
- Understand blueprints and diagrams
- Interpret data to make informed decisions
- Problem-solving skills
- Identify and resolve operational issues
- Teamwork skills
- Coordinate work with other crew members
- Communication skills
- Listen and comprehend instructions clearly
- Relay information accurately
- Operating Engineer Salary
Employers
At present, many employers are looking for qualified operating engineers. Some of these employers include construction firms, engineering firms, manufacturers, and utility companies. As an operating engineer, you may have the opportunity to work in a wide variety of industries and settings. You can also advance your career by becoming a supervisor or manager.
1. Construction Firms
Construction firms employ operating engineers to work on a wide variety of construction projects. These projects may include the construction of highways, bridges, buildings, and other structures.
2. Engineering Firms
Engineering firms employ operating engineers to work on a wide variety of engineering projects. These projects may include the design and development of new machinery, the improvement of existing machinery, the development of new computer systems, or the improvement of existing computer systems.
3. Manufacturing Firms
Manufacturing firms employ operating engineers to work in a variety of production settings. These settings may include the manufacture of automobiles, airplanes, boats, furniture, or other products.
4. Utility Companies
Utility companies employ operating engineers to work in a variety of settings. These settings may include the production of electricity, the distribution of water, or the treatment of sewage.
Operating Engineer Salary
The median salary for an operating engineer is $50,000. However, your salary may vary depending on your experience, education, and industry. As an entry-level operating engineer, you can expect to earn a salary of $30,000. With experience, you may be able to earn a salary of $60,000 or more. The top-level operations engineers with many years of experience can earn salaries in excess of $100,000.
Operating engineers typically receive a pay raise for each year of experience they have in the field. Additionally, they may receive a pay increase for completing additional training or certification. Operating engineers who work in hazardous environments may also receive a higher wage.
Employment Outlook
The employment outlook for operating engineers is good. The number of jobs in this occupation is projected to grow by 14 percent between 2012 and 2022. This growth is attributed to the continued growth of the construction, engineering, and manufacturing industries. You can expect to find the best job opportunities in the construction and manufacturing industries. Moreover, you can expect to find the best job opportunities in the states of California, Texas, and Florida.
The Bottom Line -What is an operating engineer?
If you are interested in becoming an operating engineer, there are a few different ways to do so. You can get a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, business administration, or operations management. Alternatively, you could get a degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, or manufacturing engineering and then complete an operations engineer certification program. Finally, you could also become an operations engineer by completing an apprenticeship program. As an operating engineer, you will be responsible for the safe and efficient operation of construction or manufacturing equipment. You may also be responsible for the maintenance of this equipment. The average salary for an operating engineer is $36 per hour. The employment outlook for this occupation is good.
You Might Also Like:
What Is A Staff Engineer?
How Long Does It Take To Become An Electrical Engineer?
What Is A Staff Software Engineer?
