Will “Watch Engine Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

89% Chance of Automation

“Watch Engine Operator” will probably be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #529 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

Care to share? Click for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or XING. 👍

Job Description

Operate or maintain stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or industrial processes. Operate equipment, such as steam engines, generators, motors, turbines, and steam boilers.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 51-8021.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 61,410.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 29.00
Currently, there are 33,720 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Watch Engine Operator”

Fire coal furnaces by hand or with stokers and gas- or oil-fed boilers, using automatic gas feeds or oil pumps.
Clean and lubricate boilers and auxiliary equipment and make minor adjustments as needed, using hand tools.
Test boiler water quality or arrange for testing and take necessary corrective action, such as adding chemicals to prevent corrosion and harmful deposits.
Weigh, measure, and record fuel used.
Contact equipment manufacturers or appropriate specialists when necessary to resolve equipment problems.
Investigate and report on accidents.
Monitor and inspect equipment, computer terminals, switches, valves, gauges, alarms, safety devices, and meters to detect leaks or malfunctions and to ensure that equipment is operating efficiently and safely.
Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly.
Ignite fuel in burners, using torches or flames.
Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels.
Maintain daily logs of operation, maintenance, and safety activities, including test results, instrument readings, and details of equipment malfunctions and maintenance work.
Test electrical systems to determine voltages, using voltage meters.
Operate mechanical hoppers and provide assistance in their adjustment and repair.
Check the air quality of ventilation systems and make adjustments to ensure compliance with mandated safety codes.
Switch from automatic to manual controls and isolate equipment mechanically and electrically to allow for safe inspection and repair work.
Activate valves to maintain required amounts of water in boilers, to adjust supplies of combustion air, and to control the flow of fuel into burners.
Analyze problems and take appropriate action to ensure continuous and reliable operation of equipment and systems.
Install burners and auxiliary equipment, using hand tools.
Operate or tend stationary engines, boilers, and auxiliary equipment such as pumps, compressors, and air-conditioning equipment, to supply and maintain steam or heat for buildings, marine vessels, or pneumatic tools.
Perform or arrange for repairs, such as complete overhauls, replacement of defective valves, gaskets, or bearings, or fabrication of new parts.
Adjust controls and/or valves on equipment to provide power, and to regulate and set operations of system or industrial processes.
Provide assistance to plumbers in repairing or replacing water, sewer, or waste lines, and in daily maintenance activities.
Develop operation, safety, and maintenance procedures or assist in their development.
Supervise the work of assistant stationary engineers, turbine operators, boiler tenders, or air conditioning and refrigeration operators and mechanics.
Receive instructions from steam engineers regarding steam plant and air compressor operations.

Related Technology & Tools

Combustion analyzers
Voltmeters
Opacity meters
Hydrometers
Manifold test gauges
Two way radios
Turbidimeters
Hydraulic boom trucks
Thermocouples
Equipment cleaning scrapers
Programmable logic controllers PLC
Water column gauges
Power saws
Scaffolding
Sandblasters
Phillips head screwdrivers
Conductivity meters
Oil guns
Dropping pipettes
Steam cleaning equipment
Safety gloves
Grapple cranes
Grease guns
Digital multimeters
Tapping machines
Colorimeters
Bench lathes
Infrared guns
Metal cutting dies
Oxyacetylene welding equipment
Electronic temperature sensors
Ohmmeters
Protective ear plugs
Drill presses
pH indicators
Metal cutting taps
Rotary hammers
Precision levels
Claw hammers
Layout squares
Self-contained breathing apparatus
Pressure transmitters
Ratchets
Filter masks
Straight screwdrivers
Micrometers
Forklifts
Power drills
Industrial platform scales
Hand pipe threaders
Pneumatic pumps
Pipe cutters
Adjustable wrenches
Power meters
Personal computers
Amp meters
Pipe wrenches
Shielded arc welding tools
Socket wrench sets
Graduated glass cylinders
Sling psychrometers
Pressure gauges
Dial calipers
Gas brazing equipment
Hydraulic press frames
Locking pliers
Electric drain augers
Electronic remote reading thermometers
Descalers
Dial indicators
Bourdon tubes
Ladders
Safety glasses

Data entry software
Microsoft Office
Web browser software
Microsoft Excel
Statistical software
Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
Microsoft Word
Email software
Word processing software
Database software
Spreadsheet software
Building management system software
Graphics software