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Electrical Engineers

Also called: Design Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Project Engineer, Test Engineer

Where in the military? In the military: see titles from the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, or Navy.

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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:

Find Training Find Certifications Find Licenses Apprenticeship.gov

Job Outlook

Below Average Outlook
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Salary
$100,420
$62,360
$162,930
Check out my state Local Salary Info Find Jobs

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See more details at O*NET OnLine about electrical engineers.