Electronics Engineering Technician
Job Description:Electronics engineering technicians design, build and maintain electronic systems and components.
Job Category:What you will do:
On a day to day basis, you may:
- use CAD software to design printed circuit boards and wiring diagrams
- research and develop new products
- test prototypes and analyse results
- find and fix faults in equipment
- build and install electronic manufacturing control systems
- set up maintenance schedules for equipment
Skills:
You’ll need:
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- maths knowledge
- design skills and knowledge
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
As well as:
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail (organisation skills)
- analytical thinking skills
- the ability to work well with your hands
- complex problem-solving skills (adaptability skills)
- the ability to work well with others (teamwork skills)
Entry Requirements:
To become an electronics engineering technician, you typically need a combination of education and skills in various subjects related to electronics and engineering. Here are the key subjects you should focus on:
- Mathematics: Strong mathematical skills are crucial for electronics engineering. You will need to study algebra, calculus, and trigonometry, as these are often used in circuit analysis and design.
- Physics: Understanding the principles of physics, especially in the context of electricity and magnetism, is fundamental to electronics. Topics like electromagnetism, optics, and wave theory are important.
- Electronics: This is the core subject of your education. You will study topics such as digital electronics, analog electronics, microelectronics, semiconductor devices, and circuit theory.
- Computer Science: As electronics engineering has become more digital and computer-centric, knowledge of programming languages (e.g., C, C++, Python) and software tools (e.g., circuit simulation software) is increasingly important.
Post School
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
University
You can do a foundation degree or higher national diploma in electrical and electronic engineering.
College
You could take a college course, which would teach you some of the skills needed for this job.
Relevant courses include:
- Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control
- Electronic Engineering or Electronic Systems Engineering
Apprenticeship
You can get into this job through an engineering technician advanced apprenticeship.
You can also train to be an electronics technician in the Army
Working Hours and Environment:
Typical working hours consist of 41-43 hours of work a week. You could work on weekends, public holidays or in the evenings. You could work on a shift based system.
You could work at a manufacturing plant, in a laboratory or in an office.
Your working environment may be noisy.
Career Path & Progression:
With experience, you could become a project team leader or a maintenance or quality control manager.
You could also teach in a further education college.