It is possible to become a monitoring engineer by first obtaining an undergraduate degree in engineering. A master's degree is required for some positions or for certain advancements in the field, but is not needed for all positions. There are different types of monitoring engineer positions available, as individuals can monitor various processes and equipment involved with engineering, so a decision must be made about the type of monitoring you wish to do. In certain fields, experience or special training is required to become a monitoring engineer, such as when working to monitor different types of computer technology.
A bachelor's degree in engineering is the first step to become a monitoring engineer. This type of degree takes approximately four to five years to complete as a full-time student. Engineering programs are heavily focused on science, mathematics, and different types of engineering technology, so an aptitude in these areas is helpful to become a monitoring engineer. You can obtain an degree in any subset of engineering, including mechanical, computer, and electrical, as monitoring occurs in all of these fields.
If you desire to advance more quickly as an engineer, you might want to consider going forward to obtain a master's degree in the engineering subject of your choice, or a related field such as computer science. Master's degrees normally take between two to three years to complete. Some organizations only hire monitoring engineers who have a master's degree, especially when specialized training in engineering or another subject is needed. A graduate education can help you become a monitoring engineer who supervises others, and you are likely to be paid a higher salary than engineers without a master's degree.
After you have completed your education, you can begin to apply for jobs in the field of engineering. Look for job openings that involve condition, equipment, or process monitoring depending on your interests and the field of engineering that you are educated in. On-the-job training is required in order to properly learn the specific tasks of the job that you are hired for. Licensing is needed in many parts of the world, so make sure that you check with the organization you are interested in working for to find out any specific certifications you need to do the job. If licensing is necessary, you can contact your local government's professional licensing board to schedule pertinent examinations or to obtain the required paperwork.
