Totaljobs.com > Career Advice > Careers in... > Careers in engineering >Electrical/Electronic engineer job description
Job description: Electrical/Electronic engineer
As an electronic or electrical engineer, you'll be involved with designing and developing electrical systems and components.
As an electrical or electronics engineer, you'll design, build and maintain electrical control systems, machinery and equipment. You could work in a very wide range of sectors, including transport networks; power generation, transmission and distribution; renewable energy sources; manufacturing and construction plant and machinery; building services; telecommunications and data communications, medial instruments or scientific and military research.
Your exact duties will depend on your industry, but are likely to involve:
- Carrying out feasibility studies for new technical innovations.
- Drawing up plans and specifications for projects, using computer-assisted engineering and design software.
- Estimating material, construction, and labour costs, and project timescales.
- Coordinating technicians and craftspeople.
- Testing installations and systems, and analysing data.
- Making sure projects meet electrical and construction safety regulations.
- Overseeing inspection and maintenance programmes.
- Attending meetings, writing reports and giving presentations to managers and clients.
You'll normally work on a project with a team of other professionals, which could include civil engineers, architects, engineering technicians and IT staff.
Hours and environment
You'll normally work around 40 hours a week, with occasional overtime to meet deadlines.
Skills and interests
To be a successful electrical or electronic engineer you'll need:
- Excellent maths, science, technology and IT skills
- The ability to analyse complex problems and assess possible solutions
- The ability to explain design ideas clearly
- Strong decision-making skills
- Excellent communication skills
- The ability to prioritise and plan effectively
- Good budgetary skills
- Excellent teamworking and people skills
- A comprehensive understanding of electrical health and safety regulations.
Entry
You would normally need to complete a foundation degree, BTEC HNC, HND or degree in electrical or electronic engineering, or engineering technology. Other subjects you would need include:
- Building services engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Physics and applied physics
- Aeronautical engineering
- Mechatronics.
- Software engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Maths
- Computer science.
See the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) website for details of colleges and universities offering these courses.
For information about electrical engineering as a career, see the websites for the IET, SEMTA and Women into Science, Engineering and Construction. For specific details about building services engineering, visit the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers' (CIBSE) website. For information on software engineering, AI and nanotechnology, see the British Computer Society and the Institute of Nanotechnology.
Training
You'll continue to develop your skills and knowledge through on-the-job training with your company. If you have a degree, you may be able to join a company's Graduate Apprenticeship scheme.
You could also help your career development by working towards incorporated or chartered status. To do this, you should register with your professional industry body and apply to the Engineering Council.
As an incorporated engineer, you'll specialise in the day-to-day management of engineering operations. At chartered level, you will have a more strategic role, planning, researching and developing new ideas.
Opportunities
You could find job opportunities with a wide range of employers, including local authorities, the armed forces, manufacturers in all industries, research and development companies, IT companies and public utilities. If you're an electronics engineer, your options will also include the aerospace, telecommunications and defence industries, as well as scientific, medical and educational institutions.
With relevant skills and experience, you could specialise in project management, research and development or consultancy work.
As a qualified engineer, you could find job opportunities overseas. Many countries recognise each other's engineering qualifications, including Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, United States and Canada.
Annual income
Figures are intended as guideline only.
- Newly qualified engineers can earn between £18,000 and £24,500 a year.
- Experienced incorporated engineers earn between £28,000 and £37,000 a year.
- Average income for electronics engineers is £37,500.
- Senior and chartered engineers can earn between £40,000 and £52,000 a year.
Jobs in engineering
Other Careers in engineering
