Technicians often have specialized skills. They often assist with process or product design, installation, testing and operation. They may prepare engineering drawings, conduct acceptance tests on materials, products and systems, and repair equipment. They may conduct studies to determine characteristics of materials, products, people and systems. They often inspect, test, and monitor products they are troubleshooters.
Technicians sometimes supervise production and identify ways to improve productivity.
This may include implementing smooth work flow operations, changing the layout of a plant or facility, and eliminating redundant or wasted production steps. An engineering team has been charged with designing a better and less costly sailboat rudder mount. The engineering team members meet to discuss ideas and strategies. In a small company, the engineer would likely supervise the entire project, from design through testing and manufacture. The engineer takes the ideas and then designs a new mount that will allow the rudder to move up and down, resist the forces that water will apply, fit existing rudders, and that can be installed in the same place as the current mount.