When most people hear of a fabrication engineer, also known as a manufacturing engineer or an industrial engineer, they just think of metal constructions and repairs. However, there is more to the job than just assembling, installing, and fitting metal parts. For example, there are planning and documentation aspects that are also worth consideration. To help you understand engineering fabrication comprehensively, here are a few basics:
Duties and Responsibilities
As a fabrication engineer, your core jobs are:
• Fabrication planning: You are expected to draw the plan for the repair, maintenance, installation or construction that is to be done.
• Prepare estimates: You are required to make the necessary quotes pertaining to the supplies that are to be bought for the project.
• Analyze fabrication issues: You need to look at what needs to be repaired or fitted and come up with a practical solution.
• Coordinate technicians: As the head of the project, you are expected to coordinate the technical team on the ground to ensure they work according to your initial plan.
• Certifies quality: It’s your job to check if the supplies meet the necessary quality standards and also to check the final project for the same reason.
• Documentation duties: You are required to document your project plan and make a report of it indicating the various phases for the engineering work.
• Administrative tasks: You are mandated to handle duties such as making payments, talking to clients, and keeping the necessary project records.
Skills
There are several basic skills that you have to possess to be a fabrication engineer, including:
• A strong understanding of basic engineering
• Welding and fabrication skills
• Technical abilities to sketch and interpret plans
• Knowledge of safe and better use of engineering equipment
• Personal attributes like good communication, accuracy, decision-making, and patience
Entry Requirements
There are no particular entry requirements for engineering fabrication, especially if you are working independently and have the necessary skills and knowledge. However, some employers insist on these requirements:
• A national engineering certificate (up to level 4) or a bachelor degree in manufacturing engineering or industrial engineering.
• A license: although licensing requirements often vary from one country to another, most of the states will require a degree from ABET-approved institution, 4 years of documented work experience, and completion of 2-part state exams.
By and large, a fabrication engineer handles a lot of jobs in the industrial sector. The opportunities are so many since all industries require at least one fabrication engineer to handle their metalwork projects.
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