Domestic appliance service engineer

Domestic appliance service engineers service and repair household electrical goods such as washing machines, dishwashers, cookers, refrigerators, freezers and microwave ovens. They may be field service engineers, which means they go out to repair appliances in customers’ homes, or they may be based in a workshop.

Also known as:

• Domestic appliance repairer
• Electrical appliance repairer

Work activities

When a large domestic appliance like a washing machine goes wrong, field service engineers go out to the customer’s house. They find the fault and explain to the customer what has gone wrong. Some domestic appliances have sophisticated electronic and computer systems. The domestic appliance service engineer may be able to use plug-in computerised diagnostic equipment to find the fault and work out what is causing it. To repair the appliance, they may clean and oil mechanical parts, or remove and replace any damaged parts. If they cannot repair the appliance, they take it back to a workshop for further tests. They may have to order a spare part and come back to fit it on another day. They also give estimates of how much repairs might cost, as well as handle invoices.

Field domestic appliance service engineers are usually responsible for an area or “patch”. They keep in touch with the workshop or office by using a mobile telephone. For example, they may ask workshop staff to order a spare part, or they may telephone the office to see if there are any other jobs to put on their schedule. They may also do routine servicing of appliances, for example, when equipment is registered under an insurance scheme taken out by the customer. Customers may bring small domestic appliances to a workshop for repair. The domestic appliance service engineer’s work can be complex and time-consuming. In some cases, they may have to send the appliance back to its manufacturer.

The work can involve heavy lifting and a lot of kneeling and bending. Domestic appliance service engineers must follow health and safety procedures to avoid back injury. Special trolleys may be available to help lift heavy equipment. Repair work can be dirty, so engineers wear overalls or a uniform. They carry an identification badge. Field service engineers usually have a company van to travel from job to job in a local area.

Personal qualities and skills

As a domestic appliance service engineer, you need:

• To enjoy solving problems.
• To develop strong practical skills as well as an understanding of technical drawings, service manuals and circuit diagrams.
• To be able to work safely with electricity.
• To be polite, friendly and helpful when visiting customers in their homes.
• Good communication skills to explain to customers clearly what you have done.
• To be able to take responsibility for diagnosing repairs and ordering parts, as you’ll usually be working on your own.
• Nimble fingers, as some tasks could be fiddly.
• Patience in diagnosing problems.
• To work quickly, sometimes under pressure.
• To be physically fit to lift and move heavy appliances (observing health and safety procedures and using specialist lifting equipment where provided).
• Your colour vision may be tested.

Pay and opportunities

The pay rates given are approximate. Domestic appliance service engineers earn in the range of £18,000, rising to around £27,000 a year, with experience.

Domestic appliance service engineers usually work a 42-44-hour week, which may include Saturdays and working on-call.

Domestic appliance service engineers work for employers – ranging from small enterprises to large manufacturers – throughout the UK.

Self-employment opportunities occur for experienced domestic appliance service engineers to become self-employed.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local/national newspapers, and on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Entry routes and training 

The usual entry route to this career is to apply directly for a trainee post with an employer. It’s also possible to complete a college course, such as a relevant A-level or Edexcel (BTEC) National qualification, before applying to an employer.

An alternative approach is to take a level 3 (advanced) apprenticeship in the role of electrical, electronic product service and installation engineer.

Whether you do an apprenticeship or not, trainees are usually given a period of off-the-job training at a centre combined with on-the-job training in a workshop. This is likely to be followed by a period of working alongside an experienced domestic appliance service engineer. You may be able to work towards a relevant work-based qualification. If your job includes servicing electrical appliances you are likely to need the City & Guilds certificate in inspection, testing and verification of electrical installations. Domestic appliance service engineers who work on gas appliances must be registered with the Gas Safe Register.

Domestic appliance service engineers can progress to team leader/supervisor positions after further training and experience.

Qualifications

To get onto an advanced apprenticeship in this industry, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Relevant practical or engineering skills are an advantage, including work as a fitter or assembler, or in maintenance work in the engineering industries, especially electrical and gas.

Related careers

• Electrician
• Gas service engineer
• Maintenance technician