Domestic appliance service engineer
Domestic appliance service engineers install and repair household items like fridges, washing machines, cookers, TVs and audio equipment.
Also known as: White goods engineer, field service engineer
- Starter salary£24,000 a year
- Experienced£30,000 a year
- Typical hours40 to 44 a week
- Green jobPotential
What you'll do
As a domestic appliance service engineer, you could:
- install new appliances in commercial premises or customers' homes
- set up and check equipment connections to online networks
- find and fix faults
- make sure appliances are working safely
- respond to call-outs for emergency repairs
- give quotes for insurance purposes
- arrange replacements when appliances are taken away for repair
- advise customers on how to recycle old appliances safely
- record work details, prepare invoices and handle payments
Working environment
You could work at a client's home or at a client's business.
Your working environment may be cramped and you'll travel often.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- the ability to repair machines or systems
- customer service skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- problem-solving skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to work well with your hands
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to analyse quality or performance
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
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:
- electrical installation
- engineering technology
- electrical and electronic engineering
- T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
Apprenticeship
You may be able to apply to do an apprenticeship, such as:
- Hardware, Network and Infrastructure Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship
- Electrical, Electronic Product Service and Installation Engineer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
This might be with a service and repair company, household appliance retailer or equipment manufacturer.
Direct application
You can apply for jobs directly if you've got experience and qualifications in one of the following:
- electrical or electronics installation and testing
- plumbing or gas servicing
- heating installation or refrigeration
- domestic appliance 'white goods' service and repair
Foundation apprenticeship
You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.
If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:
- have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
- are in care or have been in care
- are in prison or have been in prison
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to:
- have a full driving licence
- pass background checks
Career path and progression
With experience, you could move into management, regional services co-ordination, technical sales or staff training.
You could also set up your own installation and repair business.
Career tips
It's important with job vacancies to check whether the advertised salary is for annual pay, partly based on commission or is payment by job completed.
Guides for this industry
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