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- Research and develop cutting edge systems and components for electrical devices
- Exciting, fast-paced industry to work in
- You'll need maths, science and computing skills
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
As an electronics engineer you could research, design and develop electronic components and equipment in a range of industries, for example:
Telecommunications: mobile phones, radio, TV and satellite communications
Data communications: PCs, tablets and cashpoints
Scientific research: acoustics, optics, physics and nanotechnology
Medical instruments: clinical and laboratory equipment
Defence: communications, navigation and weapons systems
Aerospace: avionics, radar, navigation and communication systems
Manufacturing: programmable logic controls (PLCs) and industrial machinery
- Assess new developments or innovations
- Prepare technical plans using computer-aided engineering and design software
- Estimate manufacturing and labour costs and project timescales
- Co-ordinate the work of technicians and craftspeople
- Test prototypes and analyse data
- Make sure projects meet safety regulations
- Plan and oversee inspection and maintenance
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You'll often work on a project with a team of engineers, technicians and IT staff. You'll follow electrical health and safety regulations.
You could work in a workshop, in a laboratory, in a factory or in an office. Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.
You'll need
This role requires good maths skills, IT skills to use computer-aided design software, the ability to analyse problems, organisational skills, and budgeting skills.
You'll usually need a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a relevant electronics subject. Employers may accept related subjects if electronics was covered as part of the course. Examples include: aerospace engineering, physics and applied physics, computer science, nanotechnology or maths.
Alternatively, you can do a degree apprenticeship as an embedded electronic systems design and development engineer. This usually takes 3 years to complete. You'll do on-the-job training and spend time at a college or training provider.
You could also start as an electrical or electronics engineering technician and do training on the job to qualify as an engineer.
You could do a Level 4 or 5 Higher National Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering before applying for a job.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With incorporated or chartered engineer status you could move into project management roles, specialise in research such as telecommunications, robotics or semiconductors, or work as an engineering consultant. You could also move into patent law.