Electrical Engineers

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Design Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Project Engineer, Test Engineer

What they do:
Research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.
On the job, you would:
  • Operate computer-assisted engineering or design software or equipment to perform engineering tasks.
  • Prepare technical drawings, specifications of electrical systems, or topographical maps to ensure that installation and operations conform to standards and customer requirements.
  • Confer with engineers, customers, or others to discuss existing or potential engineering projects or products.

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology

  • product and service development
  • computers and electronics

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
  • physics

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods

  • manufacture and distribution of products

Skills

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • reading work related information

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

People and Technology Systems

  • measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it
  • figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Abilities

Verbal

  • listen and understand what people say
  • read and understand what is written

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen
  • use rules to solve problems

Math

  • add, subtract, multiply, or divide
  • choose the right type of math to solve a problem

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Analytical Thinking
  • Attention to Detail
  • Persistence
  • Integrity
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Cooperation

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Analytical or scientific software

  • Minitab
  • The MathWorks MATLAB Hot Technology In Demand

Word processing software

  • Microsoft OneNote
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology

Computer aided design CAD software

  • Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D Hot Technology
  • Autodesk Revit Hot Technology In Demand

Education

Education: (rated 4 of 5)
bachelor's degree or
master's degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Below Average
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about electrical engineers.