Electrical engineers are responsible for the design, development, and maintenance of electrical systems in buildings, transportation systems, and power distribution networks. They work in a variety of industries, including construction, transportation, energy (including renewable energy), building services, and manufacturing. Electrical engineers must have a deep understanding of engineering science as well as strong math and computer skills. Here, we’ll see the overall job description of an electrical engineer, the salary range, and how you can become one, even without a degree.
Who is an Electrical Engineer?
Electrical engineers are experts in the design, development, and testing of electrical equipment and systems. These systems can range from large-scale power grids and communication networks to tiny electronic gadgets like smartphones and laptop computers. Electrical engineers work on a wide range of projects and are responsible for assuring the efficiency, safety, and dependability of the electrical systems they design and create.
Electrical engineers must be well-versed in mathematics, physics, and computer science, as well as have outstanding problem-solving abilities and attention to detail. They work in a range of industries such as telecommunications, electricity generation and distribution, electronics, and manufacturing.
Job Description of an Electrical Engineer
Electrical engineering is a critical area that has shaped the world we live in today. Electrical engineers create the technology and infrastructure that fuel modern life, from the electrical grids that power our homes and companies to the electronics and telecommunications networks that connect us all.
Responsibilities
- Electrical systems and products must be designed, controlled, and implemented.
- Create production procedures in accordance with international engineering regulations and standards.
- Manage engineering projects and ensure that they are completed on schedule.
- Define the needs and requirements of the customer.
- Ensure that installations and applications meet client requirements and safety regulations.
- Work with engineers and technicians to design and implement new system procedures.
- Analyze the quality and performance of new and old IT systems.
- Data should be summarized and test results should be reported.
- Examine new equipment requirements, assess expenses, and assist with budget preparation.
- Plan maintenance and inspections.
Qualifications and Abilities
- Electrical engineer with demonstrated expertise
- Practical familiarity with design and calculation software
- Comprehensive understanding of electrical manufacturing procedures
- Knowledge of electrical engineering codes and safety regulations
- Problem-solving skills
- Pay close attention to the details.
- Excellent organizational and communication abilities
- A bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering is required; an MSc is preferred.
Electrical Engineer Types
Electrical engineers are classified into several kinds, each specialized in a specific field. Here are a few examples of the most prevalent types:
- Power Engineers: Power engineers design, build, and maintain power generation and distribution systems such as power plants, substations, and transformers.
- Computer hardware engineers are in charge of designing, developing, and testing computer hardware components such as processors, memory, and storage devices.
- Electronics engineers create and build electrical products including computers, smartphones, and other consumer electronics. They are also involved in communication systems such as satellites and cell phone towers.
- Control systems engineers design and implement control systems for a variety of applications such as automation, robotics, and manufacturing.
- Signal Processing Engineers: Signal processing engineers create algorithms for processing and analyzing digital signals such as audio and video signals.
- Engineers in Telecommunications: Telecommunications engineers build and create communication networks such as telephone, television, and internet systems.
- Instrumentation Engineers: Instrumentation engineers create and construct sensors, transmitters, and other devices used to measure and monitor physical qualities such as temperature, pressure, and flow.
What is it like to work as an Electrical Engineer?
An electrical engineer’s workspace may differ depending on their unique employment and sector. Electrical engineers can work in a number of environments, such as offices, laboratories, and manufacturing plants. Many electrical engineers work for engineering firms or technology enterprises, while others work for government agencies or research organizations.
Electrical engineers in an office setting may spend a significant amount of time using computer-aided design (CAD) software to build and test designs for electrical systems. They may also be in charge of project management, such as budgeting and timeliness, as well as cooperating with other experts on project teams.
Electrical engineers may be responsible for testing and troubleshooting electrical systems and devices in a laboratory setting, employing a variety of instruments and procedures to detect problems and find solutions.
Electrical engineers in a manufacturing facility may be in charge of monitoring the installation and maintenance of electrical systems, as well as developing and testing new products and systems.
How to Become an Electrical Engineer
The first step is to decide to become an electrical engineer. We’ve listed the steps on how to become an electrical engineer and furthering your career below:
#1. Obtain a bachelor’s degree or higher.
A bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from an institution certified by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, or ABET, is the first step in becoming an electrical engineer.
Some electrical engineering programs are run by a distinct engineering school, and applicants must apply to both the engineering school and the institution or university. Students can earn a Bachelor of Engineering with an emphasis in electrical engineering or a Bachelor of Science with a concentration in electrical engineering.
Candidates can further advance their professions by pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree. Graduate students can pursue a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, a Master of Engineering, or a Doctorate of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering.
Math, computer science, physics, basic engineering, and statistics are all common prerequisites for this job. Furthermore, curricula cover topics such as digital system design, differential equations, and electrical circuit theory. There are specific concentrations within the basic overview of electrical engineering that students can study:
Computer Hardware
Specializing in computer hardware, sometimes known as computer engineering, means concentrating on software-hardware integration, which entails merging computer science and electrical systems. Computer engineers frequently create the software that allows systems to function. Specializing in this discipline might lead to work as a hardware engineer or a computer network architect.
System of control
This specialty, often known as electronic engineering, analyzes the electromagnetic circuits found within machines. These engineers design and test electrical components to guarantee that hardware and software systems work together. You could become a control engineer or a sales engineer if you specialize in this sector.
Power supply systems
Power system engineers create large-scale systems for home, commercial, and industrial use. They are in charge of ensuring that power grids run effectively and that electrical systems do not become overburdened. Students who major in this subject can work as electrical plant-power distributors, substation electrical design engineers, and transmission line engineers.
Communications
Communications specialists research wireless networking, information theory, noise suppression, security, and compression. To work in telecommunications, graduates must often pass state licensure tests and gain four years of work experience before taking the professional engineer exam. Radio frequency engineers, electronic communications engineers, and broadcast engineers are all examples of electrical engineers who specialize in this discipline.
#2. Examine the Fundamentals of Engineering
If you wish to work as an electrical engineer in the utility industry, you must first gain licensing by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. Applicants must have a degree in electrical engineering from an ABET-accredited institution.
Students can take the FE exam as soon as they graduate. Individuals who pass the FE might be given the title of engineer-in-training or engineer intern until they opt to take and pass the Professional Engineer exam.
#3. Get an entry-level job.
Once you have your degree and license, you can begin applying for jobs. As an electrical engineer, you can progress your career through experience and accomplishments, as well as by completing the Professional Engineer exam.
Though most electrical engineers just need a bachelor’s degree to get job, they are expected to regularly train and educate themselves on technical advances. Work for a few years after landing an entry-level electrical engineering position to gain experience and expand your skills.
#4. Take the Professional Engineer certification test.
EITs must first complete at least four years of relevant job experience before taking the Professional Engineer, or PE, test. Some states require professional engineers to keep their licenses current through continuing education and training. This can help engineers stay current on any upcoming technology. When you pass the Professional Engineer exam, you will be able to apply for higher-paying employment with more advanced responsibilities.
Salary And Job Prospects of An Electrical Engineer
The national average salary for an electrical engineer is $87,023 per year. However, salary varies depending on experience, degree level, and location. Electrical engineers in Atlanta, Georgia, for example, can earn $91,481 per year, while those in Chicago, Illinois, can earn $94,436 per year.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of electrical and electronics engineers could increase by 7% between 2020 and 2030. According to the BLS, additional opportunities for these experts will be available in businesses that value technological advancement, such as telecommunications, science, and technical services. They also mention that as present electrical engineers retire or seek other jobs, more employment may become available.
Electrical Engineer Skills
Aside from technical knowledge, various abilities enable electrical engineers to be good at their jobs. Among these abilities are:
- Problem-solving abilities are essential in this job. Electrical engineers frequently identify and analyze problems before assessing the tools and information required to design a solution.
- Critical thinking: A good electrical engineer must be able to think critically and rationally in order to appraise a product’s strengths and limitations.
- Electrical engineers might benefit from being able to manage their time in order to prioritize and plan tasks. This can assist a person in becoming both efficient and effective.
- Communication: Because collaboration is an important element of engineering, persons who have strong interpersonal and communication skills are more likely to succeed.
- Circuit knowledge: A important part of electrical engineering is circuit design. A thorough understanding of circuit behavior is essential for building and repairing electrical devices.
- Though not required in all specializations of electrical engineering, knowledge of programming languages can make workers more productive in this sector and offer doors to opportunities in computer engineering.
Electrical engineers frequently think creatively at work, especially when designing new products. This enables them to explore limitless possibilities and develop new technologies.
How to Become an Electrical Engineer Without a Bachelor’s Degree
To become an electrical engineer without a degree, follow these steps:
#1. Complete high school
Although being an engineer without a college degree is conceivable, you must first complete high school before pursuing a profession in engineering.
#2. Practice specialized engineering abilities.
Although different engineering specialties necessitate diverse skill sets, there are some fundamental skills that you must possess if you want to become an engineer. Some are taught in high school, while others require additional investigation and study. Calculus, differential equations, physics, chemistry, circuits, and instrumentation are the most crucial areas in which you need to improve. You must also learn specialized knowledge about each engineering specialty.
#3. Improve your soft skills.
Because engineering necessitates both hard and soft abilities, you should always strive to improve attributes such as creativity, intellectual curiosity, leadership, and teamwork.
#4. Select an engineering discipline that does not necessitate a degree.
Although most engineering jobs prefer applicants with engineering degrees, some engineering fields make it easier for those without a degree to become engineers.
Electrical engineering is one of the simplest engineering areas to enter without a degree because it is primarily dependent on experience and proficiency. Most parts of electrical engineering may be learnt by experience, and the entire industry emphasizes experimentation, making electrical engineering the most accessible path to become an engineer for someone without a degree.
What Exactly Does an Electrical Engineer Do?
Electrical engineers create, develop, test, and oversee the production of electrical equipment such as electric motors, radar and navigation systems, communications systems, and power generation equipment. Electrical engineers are also responsible for the design of vehicle and aircraft electrical systems.
Do Electrical Engineers Make Money?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national average yearly pay for an electrical engineer is $101,780. Even the lowest 10% of employees (often those in entry-level roles) can make $62,360 per year.
How Difficult Is Electrical Engineering?
Working as an electrical engineer may be both rewarding and challenging. Electrical engineers are in charge of troubleshooting and resolving difficulties to guarantee that each system, gadget, and component they work on functions properly.
What Are the Three Major Fields of Electrical Engineering?
- Power engineering
- Control engineering
- Electronics engineering
In Conclusion,
Electrical engineers are individuals with distinct personalities. They are investigative people, which implies they are smart, introspective, and curious. They are inquisitive, systematic, reasonable, analytical, and logical. Some are also realistic, which means they are self-sufficient, stable, persistent, sincere, practical, and economical.
Related Articles
- WHO IS A DATA ENGINEER? Skills Requirement And 2023 Salary
- STAFF SOFTWARE ENGINEER: What is it, Duties, Salary & How to Become One
- COMPUTER ENGINEER: Definition, Salary, What They do & Requirements
- SOFTWARE ENGINEER: Meaning, Duties, Salary, How to Become One & Tips
References
