Generator Engineer Jobs/Technician Jobs

Generator engineers are in high demand with many job applications available, but what exactly does a generator engineer/technician do?

We are about to discuss everything you need to know before applying for a job in this sector.

Typical Day Of A Generator Engineer And Technician 

A typical day as a generator technician/engineer can see you both out on the road and in the workshop dealing with generators. This can include a number of different things such as repairs, scheduled maintenances, and checks.

You will be working with customers and clients, so customer service skills are a must!

As well as working with outside parties, liaising with your team is vital to ensure that all labour in the workshop or off site is carried out safely and efficiently.

Whilst you will be based at a workshop where a large percentage of work will be carried out, in certain jobs, you may be required to leave the site and carry out a number of different tasks elsewhere. This includes:

Maintenance

Completion Checks

Instrument Checks

Repairs

Refurbishments

Testing installations of basic AMF (Automatic Mains Failure)

Testing and maintenance are a large proportion of your working day. This can include testing things such as a basic AMF or more complex things such as the paralleling systems or peak lopping.

Basic Automatic Mains Failure: AMFs, also known as an automatic transfer switch, allow the generators power button switch over to the emergency standby generator in the event of a considerable loss of power from the mains or a total blackout.

Without having an AMF installed into the generator, the risk of lost data, damage to the electrical equipment, as well as causing significant disruption to the business.

Your job will be to service this, ensuring it is working correctly to prevent any of this happening.

Paralleling Systems: Paralleling systems is a fundamental component to a paralleling generator and in some instances, they are a legal requirement!

This system might be legally required for the following:

Standby Systems

Business-Critical Systems

Emergency Systems

Critical Operations Power Systems

By having this system, it ensures safety and supports backup power when needed, monitors power for precise load management, as well as regulating power distribution.

Peak Lopping: This involves utilising additional power, such as a generator, to help support the main power supply during peak times where the mains would often struggle to meet the needs.

The Skills And Capabilities Required To Work As A Generator Engineer/Generator Technician

Due to a large amount of your day involving strenuous and demanding work, it is important that you have a strong drive as well as being physically capable to meet the set requirements needed for the job.

Along with being physically capable of doing the job, it is vital that you can provide precise diagnostics to the generators and locate the root cause of the issue.

Unfortunately generators are complex machines which can become faulty and difficult to fix, so understanding these machines and their innerworkings is imperative!

Whilst it is key to have all the relevant skills for understanding, identifying, and fixing issues with the generators, it is also highly recommended that you are organised and able to handle paperwork and files. This ensures that nothing is missed, and everything runs smoothly. 

Lastly, you need to be willing to work in all conditions, clean, dry, wet, or muddy…due to the majority of generators being used by businesses. These might require trenches to be created or forklifts to be used. But many generators are situated in electricity generating stations.

Qualifications And Past Experiences You Will Need To Become A Generator Technician/Engineer

As well as having all the appropriate skills and capabilities needed for this field of work, a certain educational background is also required. 

One way in which you can kickstart your career as a generator engineer/technician is through an apprenticeship. This doesn’t necessarily have to be for this specific job either. Many employers will consider a completed apprenticeship in the same field such as electrical or mechanical.

Once you have completed your apprenticeship, you will have the backing behind you to further your career in a more specific industry.  

You may often see on job adverts, “previous experience working with generators”. Whilst this can make you feel deflated and frustrated, we can help you to achieve this!

If you are interested in this sector but you are struggling to secure a job due to no past experience, you may want to consider work experience.

This can be a great way for you to gain hands on experience which will look great on your CV to potential future employers.

We understand that when you are carrying out your work experience, you will not be receiving a wage, but this is a short-term process towards a long-term goal!

If you are looking at going down the academic route, mechanical or engineering college courses can be a great place to start. Alternatively A-Levels or university degrees can be a great stepping stones towards success!

You may find that certain jobs are not as interested in higher degrees and a long list of qualifications, but instead experience and the desired skills and abilities.

If you have managed to gain enough experience working with power generators and engineers or technicians, the chances are you are already halfway there in securing a job in this sector!

Due to this, apprenticeships can be the best route to take to end up the outcome you most want!

The Areas You Can Expect To Work In When Becoming A Generator Technician/Engineer

Within this sector, you may be expected to travel all around the country maintaining, repairing, and servicing generators.

Not only can your job entail travelling around the UK, but certain companies require international travelling to clients across the world.

Be prepared for demanding physical work in a variety of working conditions which can expose you to heat, loud noises and different chemical fumes.

With all of this going off around you, safety for yourself and your colleagues is paramount, especially when you are working in confined areas. There’s also a higher risk in this sector due to the generators being such high voltage and other machinery.

Typical Salary For A Generator Technician/Engineer

Similar to many jobs across the UK, whilst you are starting out and learning the ropes to become a generator engineer you can expect to be on a lower income than more senior members of the team. 

Your wage at the start can begin from £29,500 per year and will increase as the years go on and the more experience and qualifications gained. The medium wage for this job is averaged out at £32,818 per year on a wage of £16.83 per hour.

Many experienced generator engineers can expect to earn £42,742 per year!

To put this salary into perspective, the average median salary across England is £26,192, this is £6,626 less than the average pay of a generator engineer!

Becoming a generator engineer or technician takes a variety of skills, capabilities, and hard work, but once you have overcome these hurdles and achieved your end goal, you will be left with a successful job!

Are you interested in power generations? We have a dedicated team of technical recruitment specialists on hand to support you throughout the whole process.

From help with your CV to job searching and handling interview nerves, our team will guide you to success!

Our 96% candidate satisfaction and number of matches speaks for itself!

We constantly have new vacancies on our website recruiting experienced generator engineers! If you fit the bill, apply today!