High School
A technician should take mathematics (algebra, geometry, statistics), science (physics, chemistry, biochemistry), computer science, English, and communications classes in high school. Shop courses will help the technician to learn how to work with tools, build things, read schematics, and learn about mechanical drawing and computer-aided design software.
Postsecondary Education
A minimum of an associate’s degree in engineering technology, an engineering specialty (such as electrical or mechanical engineering), industrial production, robotics, manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, additive or digital manufacturing, artificial intelligence, 3–D printing, or a related field is required for most positions. Some employers require their technicians to have bachelor’s degrees. Typical classes in an associate degree program in advanced manufacturing technology include:
- Design Problems
- Digital Electronics
- Engineering Project Management
- Fluid Power and Design
- Fundamentals of Machining Processes
- Industrial Control System Applications
- Interpreting Engineering Drawings
- Intro to Industrial Control Systems
- Intro to Industrial Internet of Things
- Intro to Industrial Robots
- Intro to Manufacturing Quality Control Systems
- Intro to Mechatronics
- Machine Mechanisms
- Materials and Processes
- Motor Controls for Advanced Manufacturing
- Programmable Logic Controller System Design
- Vision and Smart Sensors
The Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) offers the FAME Program in which students participate in a work-study opportunity to earn an associate degree and certification as an advanced manufacturing technician. Students attend classes at a local community college twice a week (eight hours or more each day) and work at least 24 hours a week for a local, sponsoring employer, while earning a competitive wage. Visit https://fame-usa.com/fame-program-for-students to learn more.
ABET is the official accrediting agency for colleges and universities that offer engineering technology programs. Visit https://www.abet.org for a list of accredited programs.
Some advanced manufacturing technicians prepare for the field via apprenticeships. Visit https://www.apprenticeship.gov for more information about this type of training. Other aspiring technicians receive their initial training in the military, and then augment this military education by earning a degree in engineering technology, advanced manufacturing, or a related field. Visit https://www.todaysmilitary.com/careers-benefits/explore-careers for more information on careers in the military.
Certification
A growing number of colleges and universities offer undergraduate and/or graduate certificates in industrial production, manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, 3–D printing, and related fields. Certificates in engineering specialties and related technical fields are also available. For example, Schoolcraft College in Livonia, Michigan, offers an advanced manufacturing certificate to students who complete the following classes: Basic Machining Processes; Manufacturing Processes; Mechanical Blueprint Reading with Sketching; Introduction to Engineering and Technology; Basic Computer Numerical Control; Basic Mastercam; Quality Planning and Team Building; Advanced Computer Numerical Control; Advanced Mastercam; and Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerance. Contact schools in your area to learn more.
Other Education or Training
The field of advanced manufacturing continues to evolve due to new technologies and production techniques, so it’s important to stay up to date by taking classes, webinars, and seminars. Participating in continuing education classes is also often required to renew one’s certification credentials. Professional development opportunities are provided by associations such as the American Society for Engineering Education, Association for Advancing Automation, Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, American Chemical Society, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, American Society for Engineering Education, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Association for Computing Machinery, IEEE Computer Society, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, National Society of Professional Engineers, and SME, among other organizations.
- 3-D Printing Specialists
- Advanced Manufacturing Engineers
- Aeronautical and Aerospace Technicians
- Aerospace Engineers
- Air Quality Engineers
- Apparel Industry Workers
- Appliance Service Technicians
- Audio Recording Engineers
- Automation Engineers
- Automobile Collision Repairers
- Automobile Sales Workers
- Automobile Service Technicians
- Automotive Dealership Owners
- Automotive Dealership Sales Managers
- Automotive Designers
- Automotive Engineering Technicians
- Automotive Engineers
- Automotive Industry Workers
- Automotive Technology Teachers
- Autonomous Vehicle Safety and Test Drivers
- Avionics Engineers
- Avionics Technicians
- Bindery Workers
- Biochemical Engineers
- Biochemists
- Bioenergy/Biofuels Workers
- Biofuels Processing Technicians
- Biofuels Production Managers
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
- Biomass Plant Technicians
- Biomass Power Plant Managers
- Biomedical Engineers
- Biomedical Equipment Technicians
- Biotechnology Patent Lawyers
- Biotechnology Production Workers
- Biotechnology Research Assistants
- Boilermakers and Mechanics
- Broadcast Engineers
- Building Automation Systems Engineers
- Building Performance Diagnosticians
- Business Managers
- Ceramics Engineers
- Chemical Engineers
- Chemical Technicians
- Chemists
- Chief Robotics Officer
- Civil Engineering Technicians
- Civil Engineers
- Clinical Applications Specialists
- Computer-Aided Design Drafters and Technicians
- Continuous Improvement Managers
- Coremakers
- Corporate Climate Strategists
- Cost Estimators
- Diesel Mechanics
- Digital Workplace Experience Engineers
- Drafters
- Driverless Car Engineers
- Drone Engineers
- Drone Manufacturing Workers
- Drug Developers
- Electrical Engineering Technologists
- Electrical Engineers
- Electromechanical Engineering Technologists
- Electronics Engineering Technicians
- Electronics Engineers
- Electronics Service Technicians
- Electroplating Workers
- Embedded Systems Engineers
- Energy Efficiency Engineers
- Engineering Technicians
- Engineers
- Environmental Engineers
- Ethical Sourcing Officer
- Fiber Optics Technicians
- Fleet Maintenance Technicians
- Fluid Power Technicians
- Forensic Engineers
- Forge Shop Workers
- Fuel Cell Engineers
- Furniture Designers
- Furniture Manufacturing Workers
- Futurists
- Genetic Engineers
- Geotechnical Engineers
- Glass Manufacturing Workers
- Green Products Manufacturers
- Hardware Engineers
- Heat Treaters
- Hydropower and Marine Energy Industry Workers
- Hypersonics Engineers
- Hypersonics Technicians
- Industrial Chemicals Workers
- Industrial Designers
- Industrial Ecologists
- Industrial Engineering Technicians
- Industrial Engineers
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics
- Industrial Radiographers
- Industrial Safety and Health Technicians
- Industrial Traffic Managers
- Information Technology Infrastructure Engineers
- Instrumentation Technicians
- Internet of Things Developers
- Job and Die Setters
- Laboratory Testing Technicians
- Laser Technicians
- Layout Workers
- Leather Tanning and Finishing Workers
- Logging Industry Workers
- Logistics Analysts
- Logistics Engineers
- Manufacturing Engineering Technologists
- Manufacturing Engineers
- Manufacturing Production Technicians
- Manufacturing Supervisors
- Marine Engineers
- Materials Engineers
- Mechanical Engineering Technicians
- Mechanical Engineers
- Mechatronics Engineers
- Metallurgical Engineers
- Metallurgical Technicians
- Microbiologists
- Microelectronics Technicians
- Microfabrication Engineers
- Microfabrication Technicians
- Millwrights
- Mining Engineers
- Molders
- Nanomaterials Scientists
- Nanosystems Engineers
- Nanotechnicians
- Nanotechnologists
- Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
- Nuclear Engineers
- Numerical Control Tool Programmers
- Occupational Safety and Health Workers
- Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
- Optical Engineers
- Optics Technicians
- Packaging Engineers
- Packaging Machinery Technicians
- Paper Processing Workers
- Petroleum Engineers
- Petroleum Technicians
- Pharmaceutical Industry Workers
- Plastics Engineers
- Plastics Products Manufacturing Workers
- Plastics Technicians
- Precision Machinists
- Precision Metalworkers
- Prepress Workers
- Product Designers
- Product Development Directors
- Product Management Directors
- Product Managers
- Quality Control Engineers
- Quality Control Technicians
- Radio Frequency Engineers
- Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists
- Remote Health Care Engineers
- Renewable Energy Engineers
- Robotics Engineers
- Robotics Integrators
- Robotics Technicians
- Rubber Goods Production Workers
- Sales Managers
- Sales Representatives
- Semiconductor Technicians
- Sheet Metal Workers
- Silverware Artisans and Workers
- Software Designers
- Software Engineers
- Solar Engineers
- Spacecraft Test Technicians
- Sporting Goods Production Workers
- Stationary Engineers
- Steel Industry Workers
- Supply Chain Managers
- Test Drivers
- Textile Manufacturing Workers
- Tobacco Products Industry Workers
- Toy Industry Workers
- Traffic Engineers
- Traffic Managers
- Transportation Engineers
- Welders and Welding Technicians
- Wind Energy Engineers
- Wood Science and Technology Workers