Career change as a microtechnologist

Career change paths

• Technical sales representative for electronics

  Also: Field sales representative for measurement and automation technology

  With on-the-job training

  In technical sales, you advise industrial customers, select suitable components, prepare offers and support projects up to commissioning.

  What you bring:

  You understand circuits, sensors and controls and can answer customers' technical questions with expertise.

  How to get there:

  Manufacturers and distributors of electronic components and systems usually train specialists with a technician qualification or long work experience, with product training over a few months. Good English, a class B driving license and willingness to travel are generally expected.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €5,550gross per monthMedian salary

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• Electrical design engineer

  Also: Printed circuit board designer

  With on-the-job training

  As an electrical design engineer or circuit board designer, you create circuit diagrams, layouts and parts lists with E-CAD software and coordinate details with development and production.

  What you bring:

  You read circuit diagrams confidently and know what matters for components, wiring and production.

  How to get there:

  Companies also train electronics technicians and technicians themselves in the E-CAD software, often supplemented by vendor courses of a few days to weeks. For a qualification of your own, you can retrain (Umschulung) as a technical systems planner (Technischer Systemplaner) in electrical systems, usually a good 2 years.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an officeHome office possible

  €3,717gross per monthMedian salary

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• Network technician

  Also: IT systems technician

  With on-the-job training

  As a network or systems technician, you set up servers, networks and workstations, monitor operations and fix faults at companies or IT service providers.

  What you bring:

  You handle hardware and interfaces confidently and proceed systematically when there are faults.

  How to get there:

  Getting in often works through vendor certificates for networks and servers, and the courses take a few weeks to months. For a recognized qualification, you can retrain (Umschulung) as an IT specialist for system integration (Fachinformatiker für Systemintegration), usually about 2 years.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsLittle customer contact

  €5,667gross per monthMedian salary

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• Service technician for fiber and mobile networks

  Also: Commissioning technician for mobile networks

  With on-the-job training

  During the expansion of fiber and mobile networks, you commission systems, measure lines and fix faults for network operators or service providers.

  What you bring:

  You understand signal technology and measuring devices and like to work independently on site.

  How to get there:

  Network operators and service providers usually train electronics technicians and technicians over a few weeks, often with courses on fiber measurement technology or work at antenna sites. A class B driving license and willingness to travel are usually expected, and for work on masts the employer may require a medical examination of your fitness to work at height.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contactLots of time outdoors

  €4,394gross per monthMedian salary

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• Commissioning technician for building automation

  Also: Service technician for charging infrastructure

  With on-the-job training

  You program and test building automation, charging stations or photovoltaic systems and commission them at the customer's site.

  What you bring:

  Your knowledge of measurement, control and regulation technology fits building services technology and energy transition systems well.

  How to get there:

  Building and energy technology companies train you over a few weeks to months, often with manufacturer training on control systems. For work on heavy-current systems (Starkstromanlagen), you must qualify as a skilled electrician (Elektrofachkraft). With training as an electronics technician, this is usually the case, otherwise additional courses help.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  €3,260gross per monthMedian salary

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• Test floor technician

  Also: Quality inspector in electronics

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  On the test floor, you test finished devices and assemblies with test benches and measuring instruments, document results and pass faulty parts on for rework.

  What you bring:

  You know the devices from assembly, know where typical faults arise and work exactly to instructions.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) on the company's test floor, often after some time in assembly. For testing electrical devices, depending on the company, electrotechnical training or at least training as an electrotechnically instructed person (elektrotechnisch unterwiesene Person) is required.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsShift workPhysically lightLittle customer contact

  €4,000gross per monthMedian salary

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• Line operator in automated assembly

  Also: Industrial robot operator

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  At automated assembly lines and robots, you set up plants, monitor operation, fix faults and make sure quality is right.

  What you bring:

  You know components, cycle times and inspection steps from manual assembly and work precisely.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at the plant, often with manufacturer training of a few days to weeks. Courses on control technology or robotics at training providers are often eligible for funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). With training as a mechatronics technician (Mechatroniker/in) or electronics technician (Elektroniker/in), you can later get setter and maintenance jobs.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workLittle customer contact

  €3,941gross per monthMedian salary

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• Fiber optic installer

  Also: Splicer for fiber optic cables

  With on-the-job training

  In fiber optic expansion, you connect fibers with splicing devices, install distributors and house connections and test the connections.

  What you bring:

  You work with small components, fine tools and exact instructions and stay focused.

  How to get there:

  A course to become a fiber optic installer (Glasfasermonteur) at a training provider or network operator usually takes a few weeks and is often eligible for funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). After that comes on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in the team. A lot of the work takes place outdoors and at customers' sites, and a driving license class B is often required.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demanding

  €4,394gross per monthMedian salary

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• Cable fitter in the power grid

  Also: Grid expansion fitter

  With on-the-job training

  In the expansion of the power grids, you lay cables, install joints and terminations and work a lot outdoors and on construction sites.

  What you bring:

  You know cables, wire colors, crimped and screwed connections and work cleanly according to assembly instructions.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at grid operators or cable construction companies, plus courses on cable and joint assembly lasting a few days to weeks. For switching operations and work on live systems, you need electrotechnical training. Retraining (Umschulung) as an electronics technician (Elektroniker/in) opens more jobs here.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demandingLittle customer contactLots of time outdoors

  €3,657gross per monthMedian salary

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• Certified industrial foreman in electrical engineering (Industriemeister)

  Also: Shift supervisor in electronics production

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a shift supervisor or certified industrial foreman (Industriemeister), you plan staff and orders, ensure quality and deadlines and coordinate with maintenance and quality assurance.

  What you bring:

  You know assemblies, test procedures and typical fault patterns from production and can guide colleagues on technical matters.

  How to get there:

  You can take the upgrading course to become a certified industrial foreman (Geprüfter Industriemeister) in electrical engineering at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). It usually takes 2 to 3 years alongside work and is eligible for funding through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). With a technician qualification, you can also take on management tasks without a further exam, and the company decides on this.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workLittle customer contact

  €5,364gross per monthMedian salary

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• Occupational safety specialist (Fachkraft für Arbeitssicherheit)

  With further trainingPromotion

  As an occupational safety specialist, you advise companies, assess risks, inspect workplaces and train employees.

  What you bring:

  You know the dangers of electrical systems and machines and know how inspections and protective measures work.

  How to get there:

  A master craftsperson (Meister) or technician qualification with work experience is generally required. Training as an occupational safety specialist runs through statutory accident insurance institutions (Berufsgenossenschaften) or recognized training providers and, depending on the provider, takes one to two years alongside work. Positions exist in larger companies and at external occupational safety services.*Regulated by law (Occupational Safety Act (ASiG) § 7, DGUV Regulation 2 § 4).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light

  €4,948gross per monthMedian salary

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• Trainer for electronics trades

  Also: Trainer in an inter-company training center

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a trainer, you accompany apprentices in the workshop and lab, plan exercises and prepare them for the exams.

  What you bring:

  You can demonstrate and explain measurements, troubleshooting and the construction of electronic circuits well.

  How to get there:

  For work as a trainer, you need the trainer aptitude certificate (Ausbildereignung) under the AEVO, which you prove in an exam at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) or the Chamber of Crafts (Handwerkskammer). Preparation courses are optional, and their length depends on the provider. Full-time positions exist mainly in larger industrial companies and inter-company training centers, where a master craftsperson (Meister) or technician qualification is often wanted.*Regulated by law (Vocational Training Act (BBiG) § 30, Ordinance on Trainer Aptitude (AEVO)).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLittle customer contact

  €4,462gross per monthMedian salary

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• Industrial electrician

  Also: Electronics technician for operations technology

  With retrainingPromotion

  You can read circuit diagrams, wire, solder and crimp and know how important clean work on electrical components is. With a qualification as an industrial electrician or electronics technician, you install and test electrical systems and may work on them independently as an electrically qualified person (Elektrofachkraft).

  How to get there:

  Vocational training (Ausbildung) or retraining (Umschulung) as an industrial electrician (Industrieelektriker/in; training 2 years) or electronics technician for operations technology (Elektroniker/in für Betriebstechnik; training 3.5 years, retraining usually a good 2 years) is the way in, and it is often eligible for funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). If you have worked 3 years in electrical assembly, you can apply for the external exam (Externenprüfung) as an industrial electrician under § 45 para. 2 BBiG. The Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) decides whether the work fits.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €4,377gross per monthMedian salary

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• Electronics technician for devices and systems

  Also: Service technician in electronics

  With retrainingPromotion

  As an electronics technician for devices and systems, you make, test and repair electronic devices and look for faults with measuring instruments.

  What you bring:

  You assemble devices and assemblies and know components, circuit boards and test instructions.

  How to get there:

  Retraining (Umschulung) as an electronics technician for devices and systems (Elektroniker/in für Geräte und Systeme) usually takes a good 2 years and is often eligible for funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). The regular vocational training (Ausbildung) takes 3.5 years. With experience, jobs in technical customer service are also an option.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekends

  €4,000gross per monthMedian salary

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• Warehouse specialist

  Also: Warehouse logistics specialist

  With retraining

  In the warehouse, you take care of goods receipt, storage, picking and shipping of finished devices.

  What you bring:

  You know components, parts lists, labels and the material supply of assembly.

  How to get there:

  Retraining (Umschulung) as a warehouse specialist (Fachlagerist/in) usually takes about 16 months, and as a warehouse logistics specialist (Fachkraft für Lagerlogistik) usually 2 years. Both are often eligible for funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). The forklift license is usually included.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €3,235gross per monthMedian salary

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• Electronics technician for machines and drive technology

  Also: Elevator installer

  With retrainingPromotion

  As an electronics technician for machines and drive technology you build, maintain and repair motors, drives and controls, and as an elevator installer you assemble and maintain elevators at the customer's site.

  What you bring:

  You know wiring, circuit diagrams, components and tests from assembling electrical devices.

  How to get there:

  Vocational training (Ausbildung) takes 3.5 years and retraining (Umschulung) usually a good 2 years. Funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein) is possible if the Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) or Jobcenter approves it. Without training, the external exam (Externenprüfung) is also possible after 5.25 years of relevant practice (§ 45 para. 2 BBiG). Elevator manufacturers and service companies usually hire installers with a qualification in an electrical or metal occupation and then train them internally. Standby duty is often part of the job.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demanding

  €3,973gross per monthMedian salary

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Salary: median of all full-time employees in the job, gross per month excluding special payments, as of April 2025. Half earn more, half earn less. Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), table 62361-0030, license dl-de/by-2-0. Assigned to the jobs by quereinsteiger.de. No guarantee of accuracy.