FF13 Engineering, maintenance and production senior engineeringindustry

Technical Specialist

Also known as: Senior Technician · Subject Matter Expert Technical

Resolves the most complex technical problems that other mechanics cannot solve, and transfers technical knowledge within the team.

The technical specialist is called in for problems beyond a regular mechanic's level and also serves as a go-to expert. Unlike a breakdown technician, who mainly resolves quickly, this role is also expected to understand the underlying cause. Selection often tests deep technical knowledge, while the ability to transfer that knowledge to less experienced colleagues without continuing to do everything alone is rarely tested.

Competencies to measure

These are the behavioural and ability constructs in this profile. Each one shows which hrmforce questionnaire measures it.

Competencies to measure	Target level	hrmforce instrument	Assessment method	Behavioural anchor at target level
Safety awareness Competency (50-framework): Discipline Knockout	N5	Big Fifty, Competency Check	Situational Judgement Test	Sets the safety standard for the organisation, makes safety discussable at every level and steers behaviour and culture.
Discipline and keeping commitments Competency (50-framework): Discipline	N4	Big Fifty, 15PF, 360 Feedback	Personality questionnaire	Commits only to what is feasible, tracks own commitments and informs those involved as soon as a deadline comes under pressure.
Spatial ability	N4	Ability Scan	Cognitive ability test	Derives the build up of the end product from a two dimensional drawing and reports where parts do not fit.
Demonstrating ownership Competency (50-framework): Results-Orientation	N4	Big Fifty, 360 Feedback, Competency Check	360-degree feedback	Repairs mistakes in own process unprompted, informs stakeholders and adjusts the working method to prevent a repeat.
Managing workload pressure Competency (50-framework): Stress resilience	N4	Big Fifty, Competency Check, Pulse Survey	Structured interview	Cuts or shifts tasks independently when busy on the basis of importance, records this and discusses consequences with clients.

Short profile

The ten heaviest skills in this profile. The full profile with every skill, behavioural anchor and assessment method is in the download.

T	Skill	Target level	Weight	Knockout	Assessment method
K	Technical understanding	N5	5	yes	Knowledge test
G	Safety awareness	N5	5	yes	Situational Judgement Test
V	Mechanical maintenance	N4	5	yes	Work sample test
V	Recognising and resolving machine faults	N4	5	yes	Work sample test
V	Mentoring	N5	4	yes	360-degree feedback
V	Problem analysis	N4	4	no	Assessment centre
V	Quality control	N4	4	no	Work sample test
G	Discipline and keeping commitments	N4	4	no	Personality questionnaire
V	Electrical engineering work	N4	4	no	Certificate or diploma
V	Reading and applying technical drawings	N4	4	no	Knowledge test

See all 25 skills in the full profile

Assessment instruments for this job

13 measurable constructs

Work sample test

Representative work sample under standardized conditions

11 measurable constructs

Knowledge test (client-specific)

Professional knowledge test, customized for each client

10 measurable constructs

Competency Check

Behavioral-Level Competency Assessment

5 measurable constructs

Big Fifty

Personality questionnaire, 150 items, 25 factors

5 measurable constructs

360 Feedback

Multiple assessments based on behavioral anchors

3 measurable constructs

Ability Scan

Aptitude Test: Verbal, Numerical, and Abstract Reasoning Skills

2 measurable constructs

Structured interview

Behavioral interview with a fixed structure

1 measurable constructs

15PF

Personality Profile, a shorter alternative to the Big Fifty

1 measurable constructs

Pulse Survey

Periodic measurement at the team and organizational levels

1 measurable constructs

Portfolio

Evaluation of prior work against fixed criteria

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