Will “Operating Engineer” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔
89% Chance of Automation
“Operating Engineer” 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…
- Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
- Utilities Operator
- Stationary Steam Engineer
- Stationary Engineer
- Plant Utilities Engineer
- Plant Operator
- Fireman
- Building Engineer
- Boiler Technician
- Boiler Operator
- Water Pumper
- Water Pump Operator
- Watch Engine Operator
- Ventilation Worker
- Turbo Operator
- Turbo Electric Operator
- Tank Farm Operator
- Steam Turbine Operator
- Steam Plant Operator
- Steam Engineer
- Steam Boiler Fireman
- Stationary Fireman
- Stationary Engineer Apprentice
- Stationary Boiler Fireman
- Retort Firer
- Refrigeration Engineer
- Refrigerating Engineer
- Pumping Station Engineer
- Pump House Operator
- Pump House Engineer
- Powerhouse Tender
- Powerhouse Operator
- Powerhouse Attendant
- Power Station Operator
- Power Plant Operator
- Power Operator
- Power House Engineer
- Plugman
- Operating Power Plant Combustion Engineer
- Operating Engineer
- Marine Firer
- Low Pressure Firer
- Low Pressure Boiler Tender
- Low Pressure Boiler Operator
- Humidifier Attendant
- High Pressure Boiler Operator
- Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Mechanic Boiler Operator
- Heating Operators Engineer
- Heating and Ventilating Worker
- Gas Engine Operator
- Fan Runner
- Fan Engine Engineer
- Exhauster Engineer
- Exhaust Worker
- Engineman
- Dredge Pump Operator
- Diesel Stationary Engineer
- Diesel Engine Operator
- Cooling Tower Operator
- Cooling System Operator
- Compressor Operator
- Byproduct Engineer
- Breaker Engineer
- Boiler Room Operator
- Boiler Room Helper
- Boiler Plant Operator
- Boiler Operator Helper
- Boiler Fireman
- Blowing Engineer
- Auxiliary Operator
- Air Plant Engineer
- Air Conditioning Engineer
- Air Compressor Operator
- Air Compressor Engineer
Tasks for “Operating Engineer”
- Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly.
- 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.
- Provide assistance to plumbers in repairing or replacing water, sewer, or waste lines, and in daily maintenance activities.
- Ignite fuel in burners, using torches or flames.
- Perform or arrange for repairs, such as complete overhauls, replacement of defective valves, gaskets, or bearings, or fabrication of new parts.
- Maintain daily logs of operation, maintenance, and safety activities, including test results, instrument readings, and details of equipment malfunctions and maintenance work.
- Operate mechanical hoppers and provide assistance in their adjustment and repair.
- Install burners and auxiliary equipment, using hand tools.
- Develop operation, safety, and maintenance procedures or assist in their development.
- Weigh, measure, and record fuel used.
- Check the air quality of ventilation systems and make adjustments to ensure compliance with mandated safety codes.
- Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels.
- Contact equipment manufacturers or appropriate specialists when necessary to resolve equipment problems.
- Fire coal furnaces by hand or with stokers and gas- or oil-fed boilers, using automatic gas feeds or oil pumps.
- Receive instructions from steam engineers regarding steam plant and air compressor operations.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Supervise the work of assistant stationary engineers, turbine operators, boiler tenders, or air conditioning and refrigeration operators and mechanics.
- 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.
- Test electrical systems to determine voltages, using voltage meters.
- Analyze problems and take appropriate action to ensure continuous and reliable operation of equipment and systems.
- Switch from automatic to manual controls and isolate equipment mechanically and electrically to allow for safe inspection and repair work.
Related Technology & Tools
- Gas brazing equipment
- Programmable logic controllers PLC
- Metal cutting taps
- Infrared guns
- Electric drain augers
- Forklifts
- Steam cleaning equipment
- Manifold test gauges
- Descalers
- Sling psychrometers
- Opacity meters
- Bourdon tubes
- Filter masks
- Drill presses
- Pressure gauges
- Power drills
- Protective ear plugs
- Industrial platform scales
- Voltmeters
- Pipe wrenches
- Ohmmeters
- Digital multimeters
- Locking pliers
- Graduated glass cylinders
- Electronic temperature sensors
- Grease guns
- Water column gauges
- Micrometers
- Claw hammers
- Power saws
- Dial calipers
- Safety gloves
- Layout squares
- Rotary hammers
- Oxyacetylene welding equipment
- Socket wrench sets
- Precision levels
- Hydraulic boom trucks
- Thermocouples
- Oil guns
- Hydrometers
- Safety glasses
- Equipment cleaning scrapers
- Dropping pipettes
- Pressure transmitters
- Personal computers
- Shielded arc welding tools
- Hand pipe threaders
- Sandblasters
- Metal cutting dies
- Colorimeters
- pH indicators
- Ratchets
- Phillips head screwdrivers
- Pneumatic pumps
- Combustion analyzers
- Tapping machines
- Grapple cranes
- Scaffolding
- Dial indicators
- Self-contained breathing apparatus
- Power meters
- Ladders
- Turbidimeters
- Electronic remote reading thermometers
- Conductivity meters
- Pipe cutters
- Hydraulic press frames
- Straight screwdrivers
- Adjustable wrenches
- Bench lathes
- Amp meters
- Two way radios
- Building management system software
- Statistical software
- Graphics software
- Spreadsheet software
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Database software
- Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Excel
- Data entry software
- Word processing software