Domestic appliance service engineer
White goods engineer
Domestic appliance service engineers install and repair household goods like washing machines and fridges.
Salary range: £17,000 to £28,000
How to become a domestic appliance service engineer
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
College
You could do a college course to get some of the skills needed for this job. Courses include:
- Level 2 Diploma in Electrical Installation
- Level 2 First Diploma in Engineering Technology
- Level 2 Diploma In Repairing Module Faults in Consumer Electronic Products
- Level 3 Extended Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Entry requirements
You may need:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
More information
Apprenticeship
You may be able to get into this job through an advanced apprenticeship for electrical, electronic product service and installation engineers.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
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Direct application
You can apply for jobs directly if you’ve got experience and qualifications in:
- electrics or electronics testing
- mechanical engineering
- plumbing or gas servicing
- heating installation or refrigeration
More information
Professional and industry bodies
You could join the Domestic Appliance Service Association for product news and industry training.
Further information
You can find out more about working in engineering repair and maintenance through Tomorrow’s Engineers.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You’ll need:
- customer service skills
- the ability to repair machines or systems
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- analytical thinking skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to sell products and services
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and requirements
You would need to have colour-normal vision for electrical work.
What you’ll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day duties could include:
- visiting customers to carry out safety inspections
- installing new appliances in customers’ homes
- responding to call-outs for emergency repairs
- giving quotes for insurance purposes
- arranging replacements when faulty equipment has to be repaired
- making sure there are enough parts in stock
- recording work details, preparing invoices and dealing with payments
Working environment
You could work at a client’s home or in an office.
Your working environment may be cramped and you’ll travel often.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could move into management, regional services coordination, technical sales or training.
You could also set up your own business.