Electronics Engineer
Job Description:Electronics engineers design and develop systems for industry, from mobile communications to manufacturing and aerospace.
Job Category:What you will do:
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
Your day-to-day duties will include:
- assessing new developments or innovations
- preparing technical plans using computer-aided engineering and design software
- estimating manufacturing and labour costs, and project timescales
- co-ordinating the work of technicians and craftspeople
- testing prototypes and analysing data
- making sure projects meet safety regulations
- planning and overseeing inspection and maintenance
You’ll often work on a project with a team of engineers, technicians and IT staff. You’ll follow electrical health and safety regulations.
Skills:
You’ll need:
- knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- maths knowledge
- IT skills to use computer-aided design software
As well as:
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- analytical thinking skills
- design skills and knowledge (creativity)
- the ability to work well with others (teamwork)
- to be flexible and open to change (adaptable)
- the ability to analyse problems
- organisational skills
- budgeting skills
Entry Requirements:
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towords this route
University
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
- maths
College
In the UK, you can do a Level 4 Higher National Certificate or a Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Electronic Engineering before applying for a job.
Apprenticeship
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 can also do a postgraduate level electronics systems principal engineer apprenticeship.
To do this, you’ll need a degree in electronic engineering or a related subject.
Work
You could start as an electrical or electronics engineering technician and do training on the job to qualify as an engineer.
Working Hours and Environment:
You’ll usually work around 40 hours a week. You may work longer to meet project deadlines.
You’ll usually work in an office or a lab. You may work in factories, workshops or outdoors.
Career Path & Progression:
With incorporated or chartered engineer status you could:
- move into project management roles
- specialise in research, such as telecommunications, robotics or semiconductors
- work as an engineering consultant
You could also move into patent law.