Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Infrared Technician

🎯 Role Definition

An Infrared Technician (Thermographer) performs thermal inspections across electrical, mechanical and building systems to identify abnormal heat signatures, diagnose failures, recommend corrective actions, and produce professional inspection reports. Work includes hands-on use of handheld and drone-mounted infrared cameras, data capture and trending, calibration and equipment care, and coordination with maintenance teams to support condition-based maintenance, safety compliance, and energy efficiency initiatives.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Maintenance Technician (electrical/mechanical)
Electrician or HVAC Technician looking to specialize in condition monitoring
Quality Inspector or NDT Technician transitioning into thermography

Advancement To:

Senior Thermographer / Lead Infrared Technician
Condition Monitoring / Reliability Engineer
Field Services Manager or Predictive Maintenance Supervisor

Lateral Moves:

Vibration Analyst or Lubrication Specialist (CBM roles)
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Technician in other modalities (ultrasonic, radiography)
Building Envelope Consultant / Energy Auditor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct scheduled and ad-hoc infrared thermography inspections on electrical distribution systems (switchgear, bus bars, motors, transformers, panels, breakers) to detect loose connections, overloads, insulation breakdown, and developing faults, documenting findings with annotated thermal and visual imagery.
Perform thermal inspections of rotating and stationary mechanical equipment (bearings, couplings, gearboxes, pumps, compressors) to identify overheating, friction, misalignment, lubrication issues, and abnormal load conditions that may indicate impending failure.
Execute building envelope and roof moisture surveys using infrared cameras to locate insulation deficiencies, air infiltration, moisture intrusion, thermal bridging, and HVAC duct leaks; provide clear diagnostic imagery and repair recommendations.
Operate handheld and tripod-mounted infrared cameras, including mid-wave and long-wave devices, and configure camera settings (emissivity, reflected temperature, focus, distance compensation) for accurate, repeatable thermal data collection under varied environmental conditions.
Capture and process thermal image sequences for trending and trending analysis, integrating thermal datasets into condition monitoring programs and CMMS (e.g., IBM Maximo, SAP PM) to support predictive maintenance decision-making.
Prepare detailed, executive-level and technical thermography reports that include annotated thermal and visual images, temperature measurements, severity ratings, root-cause analysis, recommended corrective actions, estimated risk and priority, and cost/benefit rationale.
Perform thermal inspections from elevated work platforms, ladders, and confined spaces while following company safety procedures, PPE protocols, and site-specific safety plans to mitigate fall, electrical shock, and confined space hazards.
Conduct aerial/drone-based thermal surveys (where applicable) using UAVs equipped with thermal cameras to inspect rooftops, solar arrays, large electrical yards, and hard-to-reach infrastructure; manage flight planning, compliance, and post-flight data processing.
Collaborate with electricians, mechanics, facility managers, and external contractors to communicate inspection results, prioritize remediation, and verify repairs post-action via follow-up thermography to confirm mitigated risk.
Maintain and calibrate thermal imaging equipment, lenses, batteries, and accessories; ensure cameras are operating within manufacturer tolerances and schedule calibration traceable to standards to preserve data integrity.
Apply thermography standards and best practices (ITC Level I/II/III guidance, ISO 18434, NFPA 70B, ASTM protocols where applicable) to ensure inspections are defensible and consistent with industry requirements.
Integrate thermal inspection results with other condition-monitoring data (vibration, oil analysis, ultrasonic) to provide multi-modal diagnostics and improve root-cause analysis and reliability outcomes.
Conduct pre-inspection site surveys to plan safe access, identify reflective surfaces or environmental constraints, and document precondition ambient and surface temperatures that affect thermal readings.
Identify and document electrical load imbalances, harmonics-related heating, and transient conditions through thermal imaging and recommend further electrical testing (infrared + electrical metering) where necessary.
Train and mentor junior thermographers and maintenance staff on correct infrared camera operation, image annotation, field methodology, and basic thermography principles to raise competency across the team.
Manage field schedules, coordinate site access and permits, and maintain client communications to ensure inspection windows are met and disruptions to operations are minimized.
Use manufacturer and third-party thermal analysis software (FLIR Tools/ResearchIR, Testo IRSoft, SeekView, Infrared Studio) to analyze images, create mosaic composites, and archive inspection libraries for historical trending.
Identify safety-critical conditions (hot spots on breakers, overheated bus work, transformers at risk of catastrophic failure) and escalate immediately to site leadership to initiate lockout/tagout and emergency response protocols when warranted.
Keep accurate site records, inspection logs, GPS-tagged imagery, and chain-of-custody documentation for contractual compliance, warranty claims, and quality assurance.
Provide pre-sales technical support and scope development for infrared inspection services including estimating man-hours, equipment needs, and access requirements for proposals and client quotes.
Assist in developing and refining the facility’s predictive maintenance and infrared inspection program, including inspection frequencies, baseline imaging, acceptance criteria, and condition-based triggers for maintenance work orders.
Stay current with thermal imaging technology advances, new camera models, software updates, and industry best practices; recommend equipment or workflow upgrades that improve inspection quality and operational efficiency.
Support environmental and energy efficiency initiatives by identifying HVAC inefficiencies, insulation loss, and air leaks contributing to higher energy use and providing recommendations that reduce energy waste.
Ensure proper handling, transport, and storage of thermal cameras and sensitive equipment to prevent damage, including adherence to manufacturer environmental limits, shock protection, and dry storage practices.

Secondary Functions

Support continuous improvement of inspection templates, report formats, and data capture procedures to standardize outputs across the team and improve LLM- and SEO-friendly report discoverability.
Contribute to the organization’s inspection strategy by proposing optimized inspection frequencies based on risk ranking and historical thermal trends.
Provide subject matter expertise to operations and engineering teams during root-cause investigations that require thermal imaging corroboration.
Participate in safety meetings, pre-job briefings, and post-inspection reviews; provide lessons learned and field feedback to update training and procedures.
Evaluate and pilot new thermal imaging tools (software analytics, AI-assisted anomaly detection) and provide recommendations for scaling to production use.
Assist with client-facing presentations and technical debriefs that translate thermal findings into prioritized, budget-aware action plans for stakeholders.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Infrared thermography: expert in hands-on operation of thermal cameras (FLIR, Fluke, Testo, Seek) and setting emissivity, reflected temperature, focus, and distance compensation for accurate measurements.
Thermographic analysis and reporting: ability to produce ANSI/ITC/ISO-compliant reports with annotated thermal and visible images, measurement data, severity scoring, root cause, and recommended corrective actions.
Electrical systems diagnostics: strong working knowledge of low- and medium-voltage electrical distribution, components (transformers, switchgear, breakers, bus), and safe infrared inspection techniques.
Mechanical systems diagnostics: ability to identify thermal patterns associated with bearing failures, lubrication issues, misalignment, belt/pulley slippage, and excessive friction.
Drone/UAV thermography: experience with UAV flight planning, Part 107 compliance (or equivalent), and processing aerial thermal datasets (preferred).
Condition monitoring & predictive maintenance: integration of thermal data with vibration, oil analysis, and other CBM modalities.
Thermal imaging software: proficiency with FLIR Tools/ResearchIR, Testo IRSoft, SeekView, or other image analysis and reporting tools.
Camera maintenance & calibration: knowledge of calibration schedules, traceable standards, and basic camera maintenance procedures to ensure accuracy.
Data management & CMMS integration: familiarity with CMMS systems (e.g., Maximo, SAP) and ability to log inspection results, create work orders, and trend equipment condition.
Safety & standards compliance: knowledge of OSHA, NFPA 70B, ISO 18434, ITC/ACCP thermography practices, and site safety procedures.
Basic mechanical & electrical troubleshooting tools: thermal probes, contact thermometers, clamp meters, multimeters, and basic hand tools.
Technical writing & documentation: ability to assemble clear, concise inspection reports and technical correspondence suitable for both technical and executive audiences.

Soft Skills

Strong written and verbal communication skills for clear client reports, field notes, and team coordination.
Analytical thinking and attention to detail to interpret thermal anomalies and avoid false positives/negatives.
Customer-focused mindset with the ability to explain technical findings to non-technical stakeholders.
Time management and organization for planning multi-site inspection days and producing timely deliverables.
Problem-solving orientation and the ability to prioritize high-risk findings under pressure.
Team player who collaborates with maintenance, engineering, and operations to close the loop on corrective actions.
Continuous learner who keeps current on new thermography techniques and equipment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent plus formal thermography training (ITC, ASNT, vendor-based classes) and demonstrated field experience.

Preferred Education:

Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Building Science, HVAC, or a related technical discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Electrical Engineering / Electrical Technology
Mechanical Engineering / Mechanical Technology
Building Science / Architectural Technology
HVAC / Energy Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–5 years of hands-on infrared thermography inspections and field troubleshooting.

Preferred:

3+ years of thermography experience with documented successful inspections across electrical, mechanical, and building systems.
Certifications such as ITC Level II Thermographer (or equivalent), ASNT Level I/II in thermography, OSHA 10/30, and FAA Part 107 (for drone thermography) are highly desirable.
Demonstrated experience integrating thermography into a predictive maintenance program and producing professional, client-ready reports.