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.

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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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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