Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other.

Degree Overview

Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other (CIP 15.9999) is the ultimate multdisciplinary "catch-all" category for technical professionals who operate at the fringes of traditional engineering. While standard degrees focus on a single silo (like just Mechanical or just Electrical), this field is designed for systems-level technical experts who manage advanced technology that doesn't fit a single label. It is the home for "technological polymaths" who handle the maintenance, integration, and evolution of autonomous systems, smart infrastructure, and hybrid manufacturing platforms.

This field is ideal for "innovative troubleshooters"—individuals who are energized by the "new and unknown" and who want to be the first responders for the technologies of the next decade.

What Is a 15.9999 "Other" Engineering Technology Degree?

A degree in this category is an applied STEM path that emphasizes cross-functional technical mastery and adaptive problem-solving. You will study the shared language of all engineering—math, physics, and drafting—but apply them to highly specialized or emerging industrial clusters. Because this code is used for programs that are "ahead of the curve," your studies might focus on Human-Machine Interfacing (HMI), Underwater Robotics, or Aerospace Life-Support Systems. It prepares you to be a "Master Systems Technician" capable of overseeing environments where mechanical, electronic, and software systems are inextricably linked.

Schools offer this degree to:

• Train "Integrated Systems Specialists" who can navigate the entire technical stack of a modern facility
• Develop experts in Prototype Evolution, helping researchers turn experimental concepts into reliable, repeatable machines
• Prepare professionals for Niche Industrial Maintenance, such as the specialized equipment used in semiconductor "clean rooms" or deep-sea research
• Study Advanced Technical Integration, focusing on how to make legacy hardware talk to modern AI-driven controllers

What Will You Learn?

Students learn that modern technical failure is rarely isolated; a mechanical "clunk" is often caused by a sensor error or a software glitch. You learn to diagnose the whole, not just the part.

Core Skills You’ll Build

Most students learn to:

• Master Interdisciplinary Diagnostics—using logic to isolate problems across mechanical, electrical, and fluid power systems
• Use "Systems Integration Software" to coordinate different machines into a single automated workflow
• Design Custom Interface Solutions—building the physical and digital bridges between different types of technology
• Perform Advanced Failure Analysis—using high-tech tools to determine why a "one-of-a-kind" system malfunctioned
• Utilize Rapid Prototyping (3D printing, CNC, and laser cutting) to create custom repair parts or improvements
• Understand Safety Engineering for Emerging Tech—creating the rules for new technologies that don't have a manual yet

Topics You May Explore

Coursework is highly varied and adapts to the specific technology cluster of the program:

• Applied Engineering Mathematics: The practical use of Algebra and Trigonometry to solve "real-world" machine problems.
• Integrated Circuitry and Sensors: How machines "feel" their environment and process that information.
• Kinematics and Power Trains: The study of how motion and force are transferred through complex mechanical assemblies.
• Digital-Physical Logic: Learning how code (software) translates into physical movement (actuators).
• Industrial Materials and Composites: Working with the advanced "super-materials" used in space and medical tech.
• Technical Project Leadership: Managing the budget, timeline, and diverse teams required for a major technical install.

What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?

Graduates find roles as versatile technical leads, field engineers, and systems analysts in industries that pride themselves on being "on the edge."

Common job roles include:

• Systems Integration Lead: Managing the installation and "handshake" between different technical systems in a factory or lab.
• Advanced Field Service Engineer: Traveling to provide high-level support for proprietary, niche equipment that generalists can't touch.
• R&D Technical Specialist: Working with design engineers to build and troubleshoot "Version 1.0" of new products.
• Automation Coordinator: Overseeing the robotic and digital systems of a modern warehouse or medical facility.
• Technical Operations Manager: Leading the team responsible for all technical infrastructure at a specialized site.
• Niche Technology Consultant: Providing expert advice on how to implement specific, emerging engineering tools.

Where Can You Work?

These specialists are the "Swiss Army Knives" of the technical world:

• Space and Defense Contractors: Working on the unique ground-support equipment for companies like Blue Origin or Raytheon.
• High-Tech Manufacturing: Managing the specialized clean rooms and lithography machines for companies like Intel.
• Research Universities and Labs: Supporting the physical side of breakthrough experiments at places like CERN or NASA.
• Advanced Transportation: Working on the infrastructure for high-speed rail, autonomous shipping, or electric aviation.
• Custom Automation Firms: Working for companies that design and build one-of-a-kind robotic systems for clients.

How Much Can You Earn?

Because these professionals can do the work of three different specialists, they are often paid a significant premium.

• Integrated Systems Technologists: Median annual salary of approximately $75,000–$100,000.
• Senior Field Service Engineers: Salaries typically range from $90,000 to $130,000+.
• R&D Support Specialists: Median annual salary of around $80,000–$115,000.
• Entry-Level Multi-Techs: Often start between $60,000 and $75,000.

Is This Degree Hard?

The difficulty is in the mental agility. You cannot be a "one-trick pony." You must be proficient in Algebra and Physics while having a high "technical IQ" for learning new software and hardware on the fly. It requires a fearless and curious mindset—you must be the person who is excited, not intimidated, when you see a machine you've never seen before. It is a lab-heavy, intense major that rewards those who love "connecting the dots" between different engineering fields.

Who Should Consider This Degree?

This degree may be a good fit if you:

• Are a "master tinkerer" who can't help but modify and combine different gadgets
• Hate the idea of doing the same thing every day and want a "dynamic" work environment
• Enjoy a mix of computer-based data analysis and physical, heavy-duty repair
• Want a career that is "immune to obsolescence" because you are the one who integrates the new tech
• Are a "logical detective" who enjoys the challenge of a system-wide mystery

How to Prepare in High School

• Take Physics, Algebra, and Trigonometry; they are the universal laws you will be working with
• Join a robotics or "Maker" club; focus on the integration of sensors, motors, and code
• Learn basic programming (C++ or Python); software is the "nervous system" of modern tech
• Get comfortable with Technical Drafting (CAD)—it is the only way to communicate your ideas to others
• Practice your Technical Writing; explaining why a complex system failed is half the job

The ability to apply multidisciplinary technical mastery and systems logic to the world's most unique and emerging technologies is the hallmark of a successful professional in this field.