Electronics Engineers, Except Computer

Overview

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Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Education

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Job Training

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Examples

Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.

Research, design, develop, or test electronic components and systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use employing knowledge of electronic theory and materials properties. Design electronic circuits and components for use in fields such as telecommunications, aerospace guidance and propulsion control, acoustics, or instruments and controls.

Yearly Salary

High: $167K
Median: $107K
Low: $69K

Demand

Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend

Core Tasks

  • Design electronic components, software, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, medical, military, or scientific applications.
  • Operate computer-assisted engineering or design software or equipment to perform electronics engineering tasks.
  • Evaluate project work to ensure effectiveness, technical adequacy, or compatibility in the resolution of complex electronics engineering problems.
  • Direct or coordinate activities concerned with manufacture, construction, installation, maintenance, operation, or modification of electronic equipment, products, or systems.
  • Confer with engineers, customers, vendors, or others to discuss existing or potential electronics engineering projects or products.
  • Provide technical support or instruction to staff or customers regarding electronics equipment standards.
  • Recommend repair or design modifications of electronics components or systems, based on factors such as environment, service, cost, or system capabilities.
  • Prepare documentation containing information such as confidential descriptions or specifications of proprietary hardware or software, product development or introduction schedules, product costs, or information about product performance weaknesses.
  • Prepare necessary criteria, procedures, reports, or plans for successful conduct of the project with consideration given to site preparation, facility validation, installation, quality assurance, or testing.
  • Develop or perform operational, maintenance, or testing procedures for electronic products, components, equipment, or systems.
  • Plan or develop applications or modifications for electronic properties used in components, products, or systems to improve technical performance.
  • Analyze electronics system requirements, capacity, cost, or customer needs to determine project feasibility.
  • Prepare, review, or maintain maintenance schedules, design documentation, or operational reports or charts.
  • Inspect electronic equipment, instruments, products, or systems to ensure conformance to specifications, safety standards, or applicable codes or regulations.
  • Determine project material or equipment needs.
  • Prepare engineering sketches or specifications for construction, relocation, or installation of equipment, facilities, products, or systems.
  • Prepare budget or cost estimates for equipment, construction, or installation projects or control expenditures.
  • Investigate green consumer electronics applications for consumer electronic devices, power saving devices for computers or televisions, or energy efficient power chargers.
  • Represent employer at conferences, meetings, boards, panels, committees, or working groups to present, explain, or defend findings or recommendations, negotiate compromises or agreements, or exchange information.
  • Research or develop new green electronics technologies, such as lighting, optical data storage devices, or energy efficient televisions.

Technology Skills

Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Analytical or scientific software
The MathWorks MATLAB
Compiler and decompiler software
Rabbit Semiconductor Dynamic C
Computer aided design CAD software
Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
Data base user interface and query software
Structured query language SQL
Development environment software
C
Electronic mail software
IBM Lotus Notes
Enterprise application integration software
Extensible markup language XML
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Agile Product Lifecyle Management PLM
File versioning software
Apache Subversion SVN
Geographic information system
ESRI ArcGIS software
Graphics or photo imaging software
Trimble SketchUp Pro
Industrial control software
Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
Internet browser software
Web browser software
Object or component oriented development software
C++
Office suite software
Microsoft Office software
Operating system software
UNIX
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Project management software
McCabe Software TRUEchange
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Word processing software
Microsoft Word

Tools Used

Tool
Example
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Personal computers
Measuring and observing and testing instruments
Electronics counters
Printed circuits and integrated circuits and microassemblies
Microprocessors

Top 10 Knowledge Required

Engineering and Technology
95%
Importance

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Computers and Electronics
91%
Importance

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Design
87%
Importance

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Mathematics
81%
Importance

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

English Language
75%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

Mechanical
64%
Importance

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Physics
64%
Importance

Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.

Education and Training
61%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Production and Processing
57%
Importance

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Administration and Management
55%
Importance

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Top 10 Skills

Complex Problem Solving
80%
Importance

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Critical Thinking
80%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension
80%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Speaking
78%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening
75%
Importance

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.

Judgment and Decision Making
75%
Importance

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Systems Analysis
75%
Importance

Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

Mathematics
70%
Importance

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Writing
70%
Importance

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Monitoring
68%
Importance

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Top 10 Abilities

Deductive Reasoning
80%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Inductive Reasoning
80%
Importance

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Information Ordering
80%
Importance

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Near Vision
80%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Oral Comprehension
80%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Oral Expression
80%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Written Comprehension
80%
Importance

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Problem Sensitivity
78%
Importance

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

Written Expression
78%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Mathematical Reasoning
75%
Importance

The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

Top 10 Work Activities

Working with Computers
91%
Importance

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Analyzing Data or Information
88%
Importance

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
86%
Importance

Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
84%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Getting Information
82%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Processing Information
80%
Importance

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Documenting/Recording Information
78%
Importance

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
78%
Importance

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
77%
Importance

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Thinking Creatively
77%
Importance

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Design electronic or computer equipment or instrumentation.
  • Operate computer systems.
  • Evaluate characteristics of equipment or systems.
  • Direct industrial production activities.
  • Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.
  • Communicate technical information to suppliers, contractors, or regulatory agencies.
  • Discuss designs or plans with clients.
  • Advise customers on the use of products or services.
  • Provide technical guidance to other personnel.
  • Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.
  • Document technical design details.
  • Test products for functionality or quality.
  • Analyze design requirements for computer or electronics systems.
  • Schedule operational activities.
  • Prepare operational reports.
  • Inspect finished products to locate flaws.
  • Estimate technical or resource requirements for development or production projects.
  • Determine operational criteria or specifications.
  • Create schematic drawings for electronics.
  • Estimate operational costs.
  • Prepare project budgets.
  • Research design or application of green technologies.
  • Explain project details to the general public.

Education

Interests

Realistic
89%
Importance

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Investigative
83%
Importance

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Conventional
67%
Importance

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Artistic
29%
Importance

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Enterprising
24%
Importance

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Social
23%
Importance

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Work Values

Recognition
81%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Working Conditions
81%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Achievement
77%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Independence
77%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Support
67%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Relationships
48%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.