Stationary Engineers

Career summary

Engineers operate engines, boilers, and generators. They check meters, gauges, and computerized controls. They monitor water, chemical, and fuel levels and make adjustments as necessary.

Stationary engineers also maintain and repair equipment. They inspect equipment to make sure it is running efficiently. They lubricate parts and replace filters. They test boiler water and add chemicals to stop harmful deposits. They use hand and power tools when making repairs.

Engineers regularly check safety devices and monitor air quality.

Stationary engineers keep records of breakdowns, repairs, fuel used, and other information about the equipment.

In large buildings, stationary engineers may be in charge of all mechanical systems. They sometimes use computers or manual controls to monitor some of these systems. They may also supervise workers, such as assistant boiler engineers and boiler tenders. Some engineers do carpentry, plumbing, and electrical repairs.

Related careers

This career is part of the Architecture and Construction cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Chemical Plant Operators
• Gas and Oil Plant Operators
• Locomotive Engineers
• Power Plant Operators
• Pump Operators
• Ship Engineers

Military careers

• Power Plant Operators

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to stationary engineers.

• Start and monitor equipment including stationary engines, boilers, pumps, furnaces, and compressors.
• Adjust meters, gauges, and other instruments to make sure the equipment is running safely and efficiently.
• Read computer data to check for problems before they happen.
• Inspect equipment and look for parts that need adjusting, lubricating, or repairing.
• Listen to equipment to help identify problems.
• Check air quality constantly.
• Switch from automatic to manual controls when necessary.
• Fire coal, gas, and oil furnaces. May do this by hand or with stokers, feeds, or pumps.
• Maintain and repair equipment using hand and power tools.
• Test water and add chemicals to prevent harmful deposits from building up.
• Keep log about equipment operation, maintenance, and repairs.
• May do carpentry, plumbing, and electrical repairs.
• Investigate and report on accidents.
• May supervise the work of assistants.

Common work activities

Stationary engineers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Document and record information
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Repair and maintain mechanical equipment
• Control machines and processes
• Get information needed to do the job
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Process information
• Use computers
• Analyze data or information
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Evaluate information against standards
• Think creatively
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Schedule work and activities
• Repair and maintain electronic equipment
• Teach others
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Develop goals and strategies
• Handle and move objects
• Coach others
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Develop and build teams
• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Perform administrative tasks
• Monitor and control resources

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, stationary engineers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a medium level of social interaction. Stationary engineers spend much of their time working on equipment but also talking with coworkers.
• Are responsible for the health and safety of others.
• Communicate mostly by phone, in person, but sometimes write letters and e-mail.
• Usually work as part of a team.
• Occasionally are placed in conflict situations in which there may be disagreement over how to handle a project.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by others.

Physical work conditions

• Often work indoors inside enclosed equipment.
• Are exposed to noises that are distracting and uncomfortable on a daily basis.
• Are regularly exposed to hazardous equipment, conditions, and contaminants.
• Regularly wear safety or protective attire when working.
• Must often work in very hot or very cold temperatures.
• Often must work in very bright or very dim lighting conditions.
• May sometimes get to high places to complete a task.
• May be placed in a hazardous situation that produces minor cuts and scratches.
• May share work space with other workers.

Work performance

• Must be sure that all the details of the job are performed and completed accurately. Errors could result in injuries or power outages.
• Repeat the same mental and physical activities.
• Make most of their decisions and set most of their daily tasks and goals independently.
• Must allow the pace of work to be determined by automated machinery.
• Must meet monthly deadlines.

Hours/travel

• Usually work 40 hours per week. Schedules are usually established.
• May work rotating shifts.
• May work weekends and holidays.

Physical demands

Stationary engineers frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.
• Stand for long periods of time.
• Bend or twist their body.
• Kneel, stoop, crouch, or crawl.
• Repeat the same movements.

It is important for stationary engineers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Understand the speech of another person.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for stationary engineers to be able to:

• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• See objects in very bright or glaring light.
• Determine from which direction a sound came.

Skills and abilities

Stationary engineers need to:

Communicate

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand written information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.

Work with things

• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Operate and control equipment.
• Inspect and evaluate the quality of products.
• Determine the causes of technical problems and find solutions for them.
• Maintain equipment on a routine basis. Determine when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Repair machines or systems.

Perceive and visualize

• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Apprenticeship Programs
• Process Technology

Other programs of study to consider

• Heavy Equipment Operations

Training

To work as a stationary engineer, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete long-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required beyond high school.

On-the-job training

Many stationary engineers learn their skills informally on the job. You learn skills from an experienced worker. Training usually takes several years.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be powerhouse mechanics. Training lasts 12 to 24 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.

Washington apprenticeships

For further information on apprenticeships in Washington, contact:

Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
Apprenticeship Program 
PO Box 44530
Olympia, WA 98504-4530
360.902.5320

#ok 4/23/08 lh & 4/9/09, cj. Info ok 5/6/13, 1/31/17, 3/12/19 cj.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Blueprint Reading
• Equipment Maintenance and Repair
• Industrial Arts
• Introduction to Mechanics
• Safety and First Aid

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers usually require stationary engineers to have a high school diploma or equivalent. They may also require a license and previous experience operating and maintaining equipment.

Employers look for applicants who are in good physical condition and have good mechanical skills. They also look for applicants who like keeping track of details and can follow a maintenance schedule. In addition, employers look for people who can work without much supervision.

Many employers prefer applicants who have completed a formal apprenticeship or received training at a community or technical college. Some employers prefer workers with some college education.

Tips

Take courses in chemistry, physics, blueprint reading, electricity, plumbing, welding, mechanics, and engineering.

Costs to workers

Some stationary engineers are required to join a union and pay an initiation fee and monthly dues.

Licensing/certification

The cities of Seattle and Spokane have laws requiring the licensing of stationary engineers. There are three main types of licenses: steam, refrigeration, and CFC. (CFC stands for chlorofluorocarbons, chemicals used in heating and cooling systems. The CFC license is a federal requirement.) Licensing requirements vary depending on job duties and the geographical location of the job. Stationary engineers working in the Seattle or Spokane area should contact the appropriate city government for licensing requirements.

#Deleted reference to Tacoma since Leo noted not applicable to that jurisdiction, 3/12/19 cj. 2/13/20 see:  https://www.jurisdictions.steamforum.com/ipa/Washington.asp

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by employer and area of the country. The type of equipment operated and the engineer's experience also affect wages.

Stationary engineers who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include health insurance, paid vacation, and sick leave. Some employers also provide a retirement plan. Some pay for job-related classes.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Manufacturers
• Hospitals
• Schools, colleges, and universities
• Local, state, and federal government agencies

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is growing slower than average. Workers will be needed for routine maintenance and to ensure that the equipment is working properly. Construction of large buildings, especially health care facilities, will spur demand.

Job prospects are best for those who have apprenticeship training or who are licensed before they look for a job.

Other resources

National Association of Power Engineers 
1 Springfield Street, Suite 1
Chicopee, MA 01013
413.592.6273

North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU) 
815 16th ST, NW, Suite 600
Washington, D.C. 20006

References

Career cluster

• Architecture and Construction

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators (51-8021.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Air-compressor Operator (950.685-010) 
• Boiler Operator (950.382-010) 
• Gas-engine Operator (950.382-018) 
• Humidifier Attendant (950.485-010) 
• Refrigerating Engineer (950.362-014) 
• Stationary Engineer (950.382-026) 
• Stationary-engineer Apprentice (950.382-030) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Realistic/Investigative/Conventional

COPSystem

• Technology Skilled