When industrial systems go down, these are the people who get things running again. Industrial electronics technicians work with complex machines, sensors, and controls, and you don’t need a four-year degree to start this career.
Industrial electronics technicians install, test, troubleshoot, and repair the electrical and electronic systems used in factories, processing plants, and large-scale equipment. They keep sensors, control systems, and industrial machines running safely and efficiently.
This role goes by many names—I&E tech, control technician, E&I mechanic, or electronic repair technician—but it all centers around maintaining high-tech systems in high-demand environments.
You don’t need a degree to become an industrial electronics technician, but this job does require technical training, hands-on learning, and a comfort level with tools, systems, and schematics.
Here’s how to get started:
Finish high school or earn a GED: This is typically required for technical programs and entry-level roles.
Complete a certificate or associate program: Community colleges and trade schools offer programs in electronics, industrial maintenance, mechatronics, or automation systems.
Learn on the job: Many technicians start as maintenance workers or electrical apprentices and grow into electronics-focused roles.
Build skills in control systems: Understanding PLCs, sensors, drives, and safety systems is key to advancing in this field.
No. Many employers hire candidates with certificates or associate degrees, or promote from within after hands-on training.
You’ll find them in factories, refineries, utility plants, food production, aerospace, and any environment with automation or heavy machinery.
You might work with programmable logic controllers (PLCs), drives, relays, scales, sensors, transmitters, and motor control systems.
Absolutely. This role blends hands-on work with electrical logic, diagnostics, and high-tech systems—a great fit for curious, detail-oriented thinkers.
Offered by ETA International, this credential validates knowledge in electronics, troubleshooting, and component-level repair.
A great fit for those working with instrumentation, measurement, and automation systems. Offered by the International Society of Automation (ISA).
Required by many employers for basic safety awareness in industrial environments.
