Career Opportunities In Electrical Engineering

Electical Engineering Graduates In The Pharmaceuticals Industry

‘Graduate electrical engineers in the pharmaceuticals industry are expected to deliver projects of a diverse nature, ranging from hazardous area inspections and high-voltage operations to energy monitoring and renewable generation. They additionally provide technical electrical expertise to the site at large for incoming equipment, ongoing maintenance and new installations.’ Aditya Srivastava, electrical engineering associate at GSK .

An Introduction To The Types Of Electrical Engineering

Studying electrical engineering can make you suitable for many rewarding careers, each with interesting job duties, attractive salaries, and opportunities for advancement. To enjoy these advantages, it’s important to consider the various specializations this academic discipline offers, which can be pursued in different industries, and choose an occupation that suits you. It’s best to research this area thoroughly before selecting a career. To discover the types of electrical engineering and the occupations you can pursue, check out this article.

Bachelor’s Degree In Electrical Engineering

Bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering allow graduates to pursue most electrical and electronics engineer careers. These four-year programs can also lead to master’s programs after graduation, particularly for graduates who wish to specialize in power systems, computer engineering, or signals processing.

For the most part, online electrical engineering programs emphasize theoretical foundations and practical applications. Some common courses include electrical circuit analysis, electric networks, and engineering economics. In their junior and senior years, students delve into more advanced physics and mathematics, as well as electrical engineering design. Some programs may require an electrical engineering internship.

Recommended Reading: University Of Maryland Career Center

Continuing Education And Certifications In Education

Earning a in a specialized engineering field is very common, and some students continue on for their PhD in order to be eligible to teach at the college level. Obtaining a graduate degree in your course of study can serve as an excellent way to separate you from the herd and specialize – but you must first decide whether it’s worth your time.

Like many other forms of engineering, electrical engineering can be pursued within undergraduate school, likely as one of the potential options within the school’s college engineering department. A bachelor’s might be enough to get the electrical engineer into a good position within the field.

But academics, there are three sorts of credentials available to you: licenses, registrations, and certifications. The first two of these are mandatory, while the certification depends on your own individual wants and needs.

Licensures

Licensure is not required for entry-level positions as electrical and electronics engineers — but a Professional Engineering license, which allows for higher levels of leadership and independence, can be acquired later in one’s career.

Licensed engineers are called professional engineers . A PE can oversee the work of other engineers, sign off on projects, and provide services directly to the public.

• A degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program
• A passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering exam
• Relevant work experience
• A passing score on the Professional Engineering exam

Certificates

Master’s Degree

Electrical Engineering Graduates In The Automotive Industry

Electrical engineers in the automotive industy are required to work on a variety of components including engine and power units, interior and exterior lighting, air conditioning, safety systems, seating controls , start/stop technology, braking systems and infotainment systems. Their skills set is also important in the development of autonomous, connected and electrified vehicles.

Recommended Reading: Day In The Life Career Videos

Types Of A Electrical Engineer

When it comes to career as electrical engineer, the field has a variety of alternative careers for electrical engineers. Some of the electrical engineering jobs are mentioned below:

Electrical design engineer: The primary responsibility of an electrical design engineer is to develop electrical systems specifications for a number of electrical appliances or machinery. This is done through the use of various computer programs or software. apart from this they also test electrical circuitry in order to make sure that everything is in working condition and if need be, they make a few adjustments as well.

Instrumentation engineer: They deal with the configuration of the pressure, temperature, and flow measurement instruments. Their primary responsibility is to work on the design requirements and packages for specific instruments. They often do the installation work as well. Their main agenda is to improve productivity and safety factors. They are also responsible for testing and maintenance of the various electrical systems.

Electric Power engineer: An electric power engineer is a professional who looks after or maintains equipment and machinery which generates power such as nuclear reactors, generators, turbines, and motors. The individual takes care of the heating, lighting, refrigeration, and several other utility services that require power in order to function. They are also responsible for the design of transformers, power electronics, generators, and motors.

Electrical Engineering Graduates In The Aerospace Industry

‘A graduate electrical engineer in the aerospace industry would be working on cutting-edge technology, introducing or enhancing power-dense electrical machines and autonomous systems across the Rolls-Royce business sectors. Also, an increasing focus is on emerging technologies for hybrid/electric propulsion for aerospace platforms.’ Eddie Orr, chief of sector for Rolls-Royce Electrical .

Don’t Miss: Free Online Career Development Courses

How To Switch Your Career To Electrical Engineering

Switching from a career in a different field to a new electrical engineering position can be difficult. That said, individuals with a background in math and/or science typically possess the intellectual tools and experience needed to make the transition. However, as electrical engineering is a fairly specific discipline within the STEM world, additional formal education is typically mandatory.

Even though institutions tailor most electrical engineering MS and Ph.D. programs to students with an electrical engineering background, prospective learners with a foundational academic background in math and science are often admitted into these advanced degree programs. These learners typically complete prerequisite electrical engineering coursework prior to beginning their core studies.

What Is The Job Outlook For Electrical Engineer

When it comes to the career as electrical engineer, it is a field that is booming. Electrical engineering careers have some relatively great opportunities. For development, design, manufacture, test, review, market, sell and manage electrical and electronic systems, electrical engineers are required. In India, fresh graduates will find employment in both the public and private sectors. Private corporations pay decent salaries relative to those of the government. Computer, telecommunications, and consumer electronics firms are amongst the largest employers of electrical engineers. Apart from making a professional career as electrical engineer, by joining research laboratories and institutes one can also do research work in this field.

There are plenty of career opportunities for electrical engineers. Building companies, infrastructure and agencies, engineering and manufacturing and construction, transportation systems, and power delivery are various sectors of this career. An electrical engineer will initiate working with an industry dealing in product development, power management, manufacturing, product design, entertainment, transport, electronic equipment, wireless communication, pharmaceutical, and production, defence and automotive.

Recommended Reading: Best Women’s Career Clothing

Automotive Engineer Job Description

Many automotive engineers work for car or truck manufacturers, where they design and develop new vehicles that are safe, reliable, efficient, and comfortable. Alternatively, an automotive engineer may work with a parts manufacturer, where they develop specific components that can be used in vehicle production and repair.

The job description of an automotive engineering professional may extend beyond the initial design phase. For example, engineers are often heavily involved in testing new vehicles, making certain they perform as intended and meet all pertinent safety requirements and emissions standards. When vehicles fail to meet these standards, the engineer may be involved in troubleshooting and modification.

Pros Of Becoming A Electrical Engineer

Electrical engineers are offered with some of the topmost salary packages as the job is highly skill based

Don’t Miss: Us Career Institute Medical Transcription

Developing Renewable Electrical Power

One of the largest areas of work for electrical engineers is in the development, design and management of the world’s electrical power systems. Today, that includes a growing number of jobs in the evolving renewable energy field.

“There are a number of notable areas that continue to evolve in electrical engineering,” said Monk. “Electrical engineers have a lot to contribute to recent pushes in clean energy and electric vehicles and the evolution of the electrical grid.”

A 2021 report from the International Energy Agency found that renewables including sources such as solar, wind and hydropowerwill account for 95% of power demand by 2026.

As demand for renewable energy grows, so too do jobs for electrical engineers, who work to design, build and manage electrical power systems.

It Consultant Technician Or Developer

The majority of IT equipment runs on electronic circuits and systems, so as an electronic engineer you have a huge variety of choices when it comes to jobs in IT. These can range from consultancy positions where you advise on the best components to use in new products to developer roles where you work alongside other engineers and programmers to create new devices.

Read Also: National Career Education Citrus Heights Ca 95610

What Does An Electrical Engineer Do

Electrical engineering specifically deals with electricity, electro-magnetism and electronics. It also covers power, control systems, telecommunications, and signal processing.

Electrical engineering dates back to the late 19th century, and is one of the newer branches of engineering. The field of electronics was born with the invention of the thermionic valve diode vacuum tube in 1904 by John Ambrose Fleming, and was the foundation of all electronics, including radios, television and radar, until the mid-20th century.

Some of the most important pioneers in electrical engineering include Thomas Edison , George Westinghouse , Nikola Tesla , Guglielmo Marconi and Philo T. Farnsworth . Innovative ideas and concepts were turned into practical devices and systems that paved the way to what we have and use today.

Electrical engineers work on a variety of projects, such as computers, robots, cell phones, cards, radars, navigation systems, wiring and lighting in buildings and other kinds of electrical systems.

More and more, electrical engineers are relying on computer-aided design systems for the creation of schematics and to lay out circuits, and they use computers to simulate how electrical devices and systems will function.

An electrical engineer’s job duties may require:

There are many sub-disciplines of electrical engineering. Some electrical engineers specialize exclusively in one sub-discipline, while others specialize in a combination of sub-disciplines.

How To Start Your Career In Electrical Engineering

A postsecondary education is fundamental for entering the vast majority of careers in electrical engineering. An associate degree can open doors to some entry-level work, although most students earn a bachelor’s degree prior to joining the workforce.

A bachelor’s program, whether completed online or on campus, provides learners with extensive training and hands-on opportunities, acting as a foundation for a career in electrical engineering. Obtaining certifications can also increase the competitiveness of an already strong resume.

Recommended Reading: Arizona Career And Technical Education

Career Opportunities In Electrical And Electronics Engineering What Jobs Are Out There

Electrical and electronics engineering jobs are some of the most varied out there. Although both disciplines come from the same sector of the engineering industry, their different specialisations mean that you can go into roles in a range of other areas, from medical engineering to positions in defence and aerospace.

If youre a newly qualified electrical or electronic engineer, you may be wondering what kinds of career opportunities in electronics and wider electrical engineering exist. This post takes you through the role specifications of both types of engineering and then covers the kinds of jobs for electrical and electronics engineering graduates that are available.

Electrical Engineering Careers And Career Paths

Electrical engineers work on a variety of projects, ranging from computers, robots, cell phones, cards and radar to navigation systems, wiring and lighting in buildings, and other kinds of electrical systems. Such projects often start by defining what new electronics should be able to do. Electronic engineers will then design the circuits and parts of the electronics using a computer. Electrical engineers create a prototype and test the product to improve it. Most products do not work initially or have some bugs that need to be fixed. The electrical engineer needs to figure out the problem and make the product work.

Texas is #2 nationwide with the highest employment of electrical engineers.

Electrical Engineering careers include many sub-disciplines, according to Sokanu, an online career-matching platform. Some specialize exclusively in one sub-discipline, while others specialize in a combination of sub-disciplines. The most popular sub-disciplines are:

Read Also: How To Start Computer Science Career

What Do Electrical Engineers Do

Electrical engineers study, develop, design, and refine a wide range of electrical equipment, including everything from small pocket devices to massive electrical grids. They are involved in projects from conceptualization to design and construction to maintenance. Their work can include testing prototypes, evaluating and improving electrical systems, and conducting feasibility studies and cost analyses.

Anything that has electrical systems needs electrical engineers to design it, to test it, and to improve on it, says Lisa Shatz, PhD, Chair of the Electrical Engineering program at Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology .

Because the electrical engineering field is so broad, many electrical engineers specialize in one of the following sub-disciplines:

• Power and energy
• Telecommunications

Depending on their background and expertise, electrical engineers might develop telecommunications systems or GPS devices, design household appliances, design building electrical systems, or supervise the manufacture of power generation equipment.

Navigational Measuring Electromedical And Control Instruments Manufacturing

In this industry, electrical engineers design and develop aeronautical instruments, control mechanisms, and navigation and guidance systems. With a concentration in biomedical engineering, professionals can also create electromedical devices and laboratory analytical instruments.

Average Salary: $109,090

Don’t Miss: Career Change From Corporate To Teaching

What Do Electrical And Electronic Engineering Graduates Do

The top ten jobs for electronic and electrical engineering graduates include engineering professionals , IT professionals , electrical and electronic trades , science, engineering and production technicians , metal machining, fitting and instrument making trades , IT technicians , sales, marketing and related associate professionals , business, research and administrative professionals and senior officers in protective services .

Electronics Engineer Job Description

The basic responsibility of an electronics engineer is to develop electronic circuits and other components that may be used to solve a particular problem or achieve a certain goal. There are a number of potential applications for electronics engineers to apply their expertise. For example, the circuits and other electronic components they develop may be used in everything from telecommunications equipment to aerospace guidance controls.

Listed here are additional duties an electronics engineer may assume.

• Determining budgetary parameters as well as material and equipment for a new project
• Drafting detailed drawings and specifications for new equipment development or installation
• Analyzing the cost, capacity, or system requirements of a new project to determine its feasibility
• Inspecting electronics equipment to ensure safety and compliance with pertinent codes or regulations
• Evaluating electronics equipment for its effectiveness in reaching a set goal or achieving a desired level of efficiency

Also Check: Patient Access Representative Career Path

Examples Of Embedded Systems

An embedded systems engineer may work with systems that fall into one of four basic categories: Real-time, standalone, networked, or mobile.

• Real-time systems. A real-time system provides its output in a specific timeframe. Basically, it follows a deadline to complete its specified tasks. Examples include the vehicle systems on cars or subway trains, military systems used for deploying weaponry, or the systems that power radios and mobile phones.
• Standalone systems. Standalone systems simply refer to systems that do not require any kind of external host to accomplish their tasks. Common examples include personal computers, MP3 players, and video game consoles.
• Networked systems. A networked system is one that is connected to either a local area network , a wide area network , or the internet. Embedded systems provide the basis for the Internet of Things .
• Mobile systems. A mobile system is one thats designed to be very small and portable, such as the systems that power a smartphone or digital camera.

How To Become An Electrical Engineer

While communication and project management skills are important when applying for electrical engineering jobs, a strong educational and professional foundation is key.

Earning an electrical engineering degree is the first step to ensuring you are prepared to work in the critical role of an electrical engineer. A masters degree in electrical engineering can also provide further learning and help you to specialize in a specific area of electrical engineerings, such as electronics development or renewable energy, or an MBA in Engineering Management online could help you advance as a leader in the industry.

After earning a degree, you can also seek licensure and certification as a professional engineer . Becoming a licensed professional engineer can help you stand out in the applicant pool when becoming an electrical engineer and help you join a growing field that is vital to todays technology-driven world.

“Theres a spectrum of focus from more theory to more practical skills, though both are important,” said Monk.

He also states the importance of having communication and presentation skills in the electrical engineering field, “its one thing to come up with a great new idea, its another to convince your boss to use it.”

Entering the field of electrical engineering means that you may not only play an important role in the development of innovative new technology but also have a profound impact on the electrical systems that we rely on in our everyday lives.

Read Also: The Complete Software Developer’s Career Guide