Engineering Technologist
An Engineering Technologist applies engineering principles and technical knowledge to design, develop, test and improve engineering products, systems and processes in Australian industries such as manufacturing, construction, infrastructure and utilities.
What this job is
An Engineering Technologist applies engineering principles and technical knowledge to design, develop, test and improve engineering products, systems and processes in Australian industries such as manufacturing, construction, infrastructure and utilities. They work under the direction of qualified engineers, translating design specifications into practical solutions and conducting technical assessments using specialised equipment and software. They liaise between design teams and production or installation phases, ensuring compliance with Australian Standards (AS/NZS), relevant legislation and workplace safety requirements.
Are employers advertising this role?
Falling, down 12.2% over 5 years
Counted across a group of similar roles. These are three-month rolling averages of online job advertisements, not filled positions.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia, Internet Vacancy Index.
Day-to-day
Produce detailed technical drawings and CAD models using software such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks or Revit to communicate design intent and specifications. Conduct testing and analysis of engineering prototypes, components or systems using laboratory equipment, measuring instruments and data acquisition software to verify performance against design criteria. Prepare technical documentation including bills of materials, assembly instructions, maintenance manuals and safety datasheets in compliance with Australian Standards and industry norms. Perform calculations and simulations (stress analysis, thermal modelling, fluid dynamics) using engineering software to predict component or system behaviour under operating conditions. Conduct site inspections and measurements on construction projects, manufacturing facilities or infrastructure installations to verify alignment with design specifications and Safe Work Australia guidelines. Collaborate with design engineers to interpret design briefs, identify technical constraints and propose modifications to improve manufacturability, cost-effectiveness or safety. Test materials and components in accordance with relevant Australian and international standards (AS/NZS ISO standards) to verify suitability for intended applications. Prepare quotations and technical specifications for suppliers and manufacturers, ensuring compliance with procurement policies and quality standards.
Who does this now
About 360 people worked in this occupation across Australia at the 2021 Census.
What this role asks for
Bachelor degree or higher (ABS skill level 1)
Registration or licensing may be required.
Can employers fill these jobs
Employers hiring for this occupation had trouble finding suitable applicants in 2025. Ratings are not the same everywhere. NT was rated not in shortage. This measures how hard employers found it to fill jobs. It is not a count of jobs, and it does not say whether the occupation is growing.
Requirements
The standard entry pathway requires a bachelor degree or higher (ABS Skill Level 1). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.
The honest hard part
You're also trapped doing technical support work under engineers' direction rather than leading projects. CAD and simulation software may take over some junior technologist tasks over time. Plus you need ongoing software certifications just to stay current.
Where the jobs are
Construction and utilities offer steady work in regional areas, but remote positions are rare because site inspections and hands-on testing are core to the role. Practical reality is you'll need to be where factories, building sites and infrastructure projects are active.
Pay
Published for ANZSCO unit group 2339, the wider group this job sits in, not for this job on its own.
This is the median for full-time employees who are not managers and are paid at the adult rate, before tax and salary sacrifice. It is a guide to what the work pays, not a wage rate.
Source: ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.
Skills
- Attention to Detailcore
- Microsoft Office Suite Proficiencycore
- Problem Solvingcore
- Process Documentationcore
- Process Improvement Identificationcore
- Quality Assurance and Checkingcore
- Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
- Report Writingcore
- Research and Analysiscore
- Risk Identificationcore
- Stakeholder Communicationcore
- Team Collaborationcore
- Time Management and Prioritisationcore
- Verbal Communicationcore
- Written Communicationcore
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Continuous Learning and Upskilling
- Digital Literacy
- Goal Setting and Planning
- Incident Reporting
- Microsoft Excel Data Management
- Negotiation
- Power BI Reporting and Dashboards
- Reporting and Analytics
Which of these do you have?
Tick the ones you haveCommon questions
Sources
- ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
- ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.
- ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.
Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.
Last updated: 30 October 2026
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