Engineers and engineering technicians keep the country’s equipment and systems working every day. They troubleshoot machinery, wire electrical panels, tune control systems, inspect components, and solve problems that keep plants, utilities, and transportation networks operating safely. Their work ranges from repairing motors and pumps to installing automation hardware, calibrating sensors, and maintaining power or mechanical systems that millions of people rely on. This guide walks you through what an engineering apprenticeship program involves, how long they take, and 10 respected programs across the U.S. with direct links to apply.
Quick look
- Engineers and engineering technicians keep the country’s infrastructure, manufacturing plants, utilities, and advanced technology systems running—and demand is rising as older workers retire.
- Apprenticeships blend paid, hands-on work with structured classroom training and typically take 3–4 years to complete, depending on the specialty.
- Top programs include union options through IUOE, IBEW/NECA, and the UA, utility-run tracks at TVA and Dominion, and employer programs at Boeing, Siemens, and Lockheed Martin.
- Entry requirements usually include being at least 18 years old, holding a high school diploma or GED, passing drug and physical tests, and meeting employer-specific safety and background standards.
- Graduates can earn solid wages—many journeyman-level engineering techs make $60,000–$85,000+ per year—with strong job security across manufacturing, utilities, aerospace, and building systems.
Engineering apprenticeship outlook
Because so much of the U.S. depends on well-maintained equipment—factories, hospitals, transit systems, and energy facilities—the need for skilled engineers continues to grow. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports steady demand for engineering-related technicians and mechanical roles through 2032, with tens of thousands of openings each year tied to aging infrastructure and the retirement of older workers. This demand means a strong opportunity for people entering the trades who want technical work without taking on four years of college debt.
Apprenticeships remain the main entry route into these roles because they blend paid field experience with classroom instruction. You learn from journey-level engineers and technicians while building hours toward a recognized credential.
What is an engineering apprenticeship?
Engineering apprenticeships prepare workers for technical, hands-on roles in electrical systems, mechanical equipment, utilities, automation, and industrial operations. Most programs combine full-time paid work with scheduled classroom instruction. During the first year, apprentices usually focus on basics: tool handling, safety, equipment checks, and assisting senior technicians. As the years progress, you take on more technical tasks—calibrating equipment, running diagnostics, interpreting drawings, installing components, and performing repairs with supervision.
By the final year, apprentices are trusted with more independent work and troubleshooting. Once the required hours and coursework are completed, apprentices earn a journey-level credential, a state license (when required), or a nationally recognized certificate, depending on the specialty.
How long is an engineering apprenticeship?
Most engineering apprenticeships run 3–5 years. Programs typically require:
- 6,000–8,000 hours of paid on-the-job training
- 400–900 hours of classroom instruction
Some programs extend longer depending on the specialty. For example, the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAM) Apprenticeship Program requires around 8,000 hours of OJT and 576 hours of related instruction, with pay increasing each year.
Top 10 engineering apprenticeship programs across the U.S.
Below are 10 respected engineering and technician apprenticeship programs available in 2025.
1. Boeing Manufacturing & Engineering Apprenticeship Program
- Location: Washington, Oregon, Missouri
- Length: 4–5 years
- Application: Here
2. Siemens Mechatronics Technician Apprenticeship
- Location: Multiple states (including Georgia, Texas, and North Carolina)
- Length: 4 years
- Application: Here
3. Northrop Grumman Aerospace Technician Apprenticeship
- Location: California, Utah, Virginia
- Length: 3–4 years
- Application: Here
4. Lockheed Martin Engineering Technician Apprenticeship
- Location: Colorado, Texas, Florida, Georgia
- Length: 4 years
- Application: Here
5. International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Apprenticeship
- Location: Nationwide (Local 39 CA, Local 4 MA, Local 825 NJ, others)
- Length: Up to 5 years
- Application: Here
6. IBEW + NECA Electrical Engineering Technician Apprenticeships
- Location: Nationwide
- Length: 4–5 years
- Application: Here
7. NASA Pathways Engineering Technician Apprenticeship
- Location: Hampton, Virginia
- Length: 4–5 years
- Application: Here
8. Caterpillar Dealer Technician Apprenticeship
- Location: Nationwide through CAT dealers
- Length: 2–4 years
- Application: Here
9. Dominion Energy Technician Apprenticeship
- Location: Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina
- Length: 4 years
- Application: Here
10. TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) Engineering & Power Technician Apprentice Program
- Location: Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi
- Length: 2.5 years
- Application: Here
General entry requirements for engineering apprenticeships
Most programs require:
- Age 18 or older: Many utilities and defense contractors require 18 due to safety clearances.
- High school diploma or GED: Strong math and basic science skills help.
- Valid driver’s license: Especially in utility and field-service programs.
- Physical ability: Work may involve climbing, lifting, kneeling, and working in mechanical rooms.
- Drug testing: Mandatory for government, utility, industrial, and union programs.
- Background checks: More extensive for aerospace, federal, and defense contractors.
Types of engineering apprenticeships
Engineering apprenticeship paths vary widely depending on the employer and the systems you’ll be trained to work on.
Union programs
Union apprenticeships through groups like the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), IBEW/NECA, and the United Association (UA) follow strict pay scales and offer substantial benefits. Apprentices enter a system with guaranteed hourly raises, health coverage, retirement plans, and classroom instruction at the union training center. The work often involves power plants, building systems, automation controls, heavy equipment operations, or industrial mechanical work.
Non-union employer programs
Large manufacturing and aerospace companies—Boeing, Siemens, Lockheed Martin, John Deere, Tesla, and similar employers—run internal engineering technician apprenticeship programs. These programs train apprentices on the exact equipment and processes used inside the company, whether that’s robotics, precision machining, avionics systems, or automation controls. Because these employers invest heavily in their facilities, apprentices often train in advanced labs with current technology. The trade-off is that benefits and pay scales vary by company, and raises depend on performance rather than on a pre-set union contract.
Utility provider programs
Power companies and public utilities—including Dominion Energy, TVA, Bonneville Power Administration, PG&E, and others—offer engineering apprenticeships in power generation, plant operations, and grid systems. Apprentices may rotate through hydro, nuclear, gas turbine, or transmission departments depending on the company. The work includes maintenance of large rotating equipment, control room tasks, substation operations, and system monitoring. These programs suit people who want long-term, stable careers with predictable schedules and some of the strongest retirement packages in the country.
Specialized subspecialties
Some apprenticeship paths focus on a particular discipline rather than a broad mechanical or electrical track. Mechatronics, HVAC/R engineering technician roles, industrial automation, process control systems, and aerospace systems technology are among the highest-demand specializations. These programs teach apprentices to integrate mechanical systems with sensors, PLCs, robotics, and digital controls—skills needed in modern manufacturing and building operations.
What daily life looks like during an engineering apprenticeship
Most engineering apprentices work full-time Monday through Friday, and their days start early—often between 6:30 and 8:00 a.m.—depending on the employer and the job site. The mornings usually begin with a safety briefing or a job-planning meeting, during which the crew reviews equipment status, open work orders, and hazards for the day. Classroom training is scheduled outside these hours, either in the evenings or on set training days during the month, which keeps the structure predictable while still leaving enough time for fieldwork.
During the first year, tasks are simple and mostly support-focused: cleaning and staging tools, taking measurements, logging equipment readings, checking lubrication points, and watching senior technicians complete repairs or calibrations. Apprentices get comfortable navigating mechanical rooms, plant floors, aircraft bays, or utility yards—each environment has its own rhythm. In the second year, daily work becomes more technical. Apprentices start participating in equipment installations, pulling prints, using diagnostic tools, and running basic tests on motors, drives, pumps, and control systems. Preventive maintenance becomes a regular part of the job as well: checking bearings, inspecting belts, verifying voltages, or monitoring mechanical wear.
By the third and fourth years, apprentices step into more advanced troubleshooting and project work. They begin interpreting engineering drawings independently, planning minor repairs, documenting their work, and presenting findings to supervisors. It’s common to assist with commissioning new equipment, supporting plant shutdowns, or helping with system upgrades, which often require long workdays and tightly coordinated planning. These later years give apprentices the experience that sets them up for journey-level roles—confidence with complex systems, better decision-making under pressure, and the ability to work independently when the situation calls for it.
Average engineering salary in the U.S.
Engineering technician and field-engineer-style roles are well-paid once an apprenticeship is completed.
- Entry-level apprentices: $18–$28 per hour, depending on the specialty and region
- Journey-level technicians: $32–$50 per hour for most fields
- Union engineering roles: Can exceed $55 per hour with overtime
According to the BLS, electrical and electronics engineering technicians earn a median annual wage of $71,000. Some fields, like power utility work, offer higher overtime potential and structured step increases.
Is an engineering apprenticeship right for you?
Engineering is an excellent career for people who enjoy mechanical or electrical work, problem-solving, and working on essential infrastructure projects. These roles often involve outdoor work, shift schedules, and strict safety requirements, but they also offer long-term security and strong pay. Regions experiencing utility expansion, manufacturing growth, and aerospace work have a strong demand for licensed and journey-level engineering technicians.
If you want a career that mixes hands-on problem-solving with technical training, an engineering apprenticeship offers a reliable path into stable, meaningful work.
Learn more about trade apprenticeships
You may also want to explore:
- The best trade apprenticeships in construction
- How apprenticeships give students a one-up in the trades
- Your guide to apprenticeships
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