Installation engineer

As an installation engineer, you will be responsible for installing specialist mechanical, or electronic equipment in businesses or homes.

Work activities

As an installation engineer, you will be responsible for installing and upgrading specialist mechanical, or electronic equipment in businesses or homes. The types of specialist equipment and machinery you actually install can vary hugely. Take a look at the list below:

• Telecommunications – broadband and digital TV devices.
• Extractor fans – designed to remove pollution from workplaces.
• Solar panels and other renewable energy sources.
• School whiteboards.
• Boilers – for homes and for businesses.
• Air conditioning units.
• Lifts and escalators.
• Alarms and CCTV – in homes and businesses.

No matter what area you choose to specialise in, customer care is vital. You will need to talk to your customer, to find out exactly what they require, and keep them informed as to your progress. Every building, home or business, is different and therefore each job you carry out will also be different. Every customer will have different needs and requirements. You may also need to carry out some service and breakdown work, when customers experience problems – again, this will require a combination of great technical and customer care skills. You will need to follow strict health and safety regulations as you work. As technology can change so quickly, you may need to regularly attend technical update sessions.

Personal qualities and skills

As an installation engineer, you’ll need:

• Good technical knowledge and practical skills.
• To be able to follow safety procedures at all times, working carefully and with great attention to detail.
• To be able to follow detailed plans and instructions.
• Computer skills, as many installation engineers use computers to diagnose problems and communicate with their office.
• To have good problem-solving skills.

Pay and opportunities

The pay rates given are approximate. Installation engineers start on around £18,000, but this can rise to as much as £38,000 with experience.

Installation engineers usually work around 41-43 hours a week, Monday to Friday. However, early starts, late finishes, standby rotas and some weekend work may be required.

Opportunities for installation engineers occur with employers throughout the UK.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local/national newspapers, on internet job boards, on websites of gas service organisations, and on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Entry routes and training   

You do not need to do a degree in order to get into this career. An apprenticeship may be the best route into this profession.

A number of level 3 (advanced) schemes are available, including:

• Gas engineer operative
• Installation and maintenance electrician

On an apprenticeship, you will carry out most of your training on the job, while completing relevant qualifications at the same time.

Installation engineers can progress to team leader/supervisor positions after further training and experience.

Qualifications

If you wish to enter this career through an advanced apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths. If you don’t have these qualifications, you may be able to complete them alongside your apprenticeship.

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.

Many people enter this career after gaining relevant skills, and perhaps qualifications, in a related area such as:

• Mechanical engineering.
• Electrical engineering.
• Plumbing.
• Heating and ventilation fitting.
• Telecommunications.
• Computer engineering.

Technical experience is highly valued in this career.

Related careers

• Control systems engineer
• Field service engineer
• Gas service engineer
• Mechanic
• Mechanical engineer
• Mechanical engineering technician