Electrical & Electronics Engineer

Overview and Key Facts

What Do They Do?

An electrical and electronics engineer could...

Overview Listen to this section

Just as a potter forms clay, or a steel worker molds molten steel, electrical and electronics engineers gather and shape electricity and use it to make products that transmit power or transmit information. Electrical and electronics engineers may specialize in one of the millions of products that make or use electricity, like cell phones, electric motors, microwaves, medical instruments, airline navigation system, or handheld games.

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of an Electrical & Electronics Engineer?

1. Writing: ? Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
2. Reading Comprehension: ? Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
3. Critical Thinking: ? Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
4. Active Listening: ? Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
5. Complex Problem Solving: ? Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

6. Speaking: ? Talking to others to convey information effectively.
7. Active Learning: ? Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
8. Monitoring: ? Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
9. Mathematics: ? Using mathematics to solve problems.
10. Coordination: ? Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks an Electrical & Electronics Engineer might do:

• Design, implement, maintain, or improve electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, components, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, or domestic purposes.
• Oversee project production efforts to assure projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Direct or coordinate manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance, support, documentation, or testing activities to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, or customer requirements.
• Perform detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, or installation standards or specifications.
• Operate computer-assisted engineering or design software or equipment to perform engineering tasks.
• Confer with engineers, customers, or others to discuss existing or potential engineering projects or products.
• Investigate or test vendors' or competitors' products.
• Inspect completed installations and observe operations to ensure conformance to design and equipment specifications and compliance with operational, safety, or environmental standards.
• Investigate customer or public complaints to determine the nature and extent of problems.
• Prepare technical drawings, specifications of electrical systems, or topographical maps to ensure that installation and operations conform to standards and customer requirements.
• Compile data and write reports regarding existing or potential electrical engineering studies or projects.
• Prepare specifications for purchases of materials or equipment.
• Estimate labor, material, or construction costs for budget preparation purposes.
• Plan or implement research methodology or procedures to apply principles of electrical theory to engineering projects.
• Supervise or train project team members, as necessary.
• Assist in developing capital project programs for new equipment or major repairs.