• Electronics Engineer Job Description

  An electronics engineer is an engineer who deals with the design, fabrication and operation of electronic devices and systems. Electronics engineers apply scientific knowledge and engineering principles and techniques to design, develop and manage systems and devices used for the transmission and processing of analog and digital information, which are usually low power systems and devices.

  An electronics engineer should be enthusiastic, innovative, methodical, analytical and practical, and have the ability to communicate effectively and work well with others in a team. They should also have manual dexterity, good hand-eye coordination, normal color vision and the ability to work on energized circuits confidently and in a safe manner.

  Famous electronics engineers include Sir John Ambrose Fleming (vacuum tube), Edwin Armstrong (FM radio), Guglielmo Marconi (radio), john Bardeen (transistor), Walter Brattain (transistor), William Shockley and Philo T. Farnsworth (television).

  Pursue a career in electronics engineering if you have aptitude for mathematics and science, and interest in the design, development and operations of electronics systems.
  

• What does an Electronics Engineer do?

  Electronics engineers may do some or all of the following:

  • research, design, develop and manage electronics systems
  • evaluate existing electronics systems and recommend modifications to their design
  • plan projects, prepare and manage the budget
  • write technical reports and proposals to clients or colleagues
  • supervise the production of electronic circuits, components, and equipment
  • test and evaluate new electronics components and equipment
  • educate and advice people on the use of electronic systems and devices
  • keep up to date with advancements in the field
  • teach at colleges and universities

• Where does an Electronics Engineer work?

• Working Conditions

  Electronics engineers usually work normal office hours, but they may sometimes work evenings and weekends to meet deadlines. They work in offices, laboratories, manufacturing plants and electronics workshops.

• What is Required to Become an Electronics Engineer?

  To become an electronics engineer, you need to have a bachelor’s degree in electronics engineering or a related discipline. Electronics engineering is a branch of electrical engineering.

  Secondary school students interested in studying electronics engineering should take should take preparatory subjects such as chemistry, physics, computer, and mathematics, including algebra, trigonometry, and calculus.

• Modules

  Just to give you an idea, some of the classes that you’ll be taking in college may include:

  • Calculus
  • Differential equations
  • Applied linear algebra
  • Numerical analysis
  • Computer design
  • Optics, electricity and magnetism
  • Microcontrollers/assembly programming
  • Electronics circuits
  • Electrical circuits
  • Probability and statistics
  • Engineering materials
  • Vector and complex analysis
  • Microelectronics
  • Computer architecture
  • Digital systems design
  • Real time embedded systems
  • Feedback control systems
  • Electromagnetic waves

• Specializations

  An electronics engineer may specialize in any of the following fields:

  • Artificial intelligence - deals with the intelligence exhibited by machines or software
  • Biomedical engineering - deals with application of engineering principles and technology to healthcare
  • Bioelectronics- deals with the application of electronics principles to biology and medicine
  • Communications - deals with the development and operation of communications systems
  • Computer hardware design - deals with the design and development of computer hardware
  • Software engineering - deals with the design, development, operation and maintenance of software
  • Computer networks - deals with the linking computers together
  • Nanotechnology - deals with the manipulation of matter on a very small scale
  • Robotics - deals with the design, fabrication, theory and application of robots
  • Power electronics - deals with the application of solid-state electronics for the control and conservation of electric power

• Knowledge, Skills and Attributes

  Electronics engineers need to have:

  • patience
  • adaptability
  • confidence
  • scientific aptitude
  • creativity and innovation
  • diligence and persistence
  • manual dexterity
  • physical and mental stamina
  • good memory
  • good eyesight
  • good attention to detail
  • good hand-eye coordination
  • good listening and communication skills
  • analytical and problem solving skills
  • good judgment and decision making skills
  • time management and organizational skills
  • leadership skills
  • math, computer and programming skills
  • the ability to work well independently and in a team
  • the ability to design and conduct experiments
  • the ability to work well under pressure
  • the ability to learn new skills and stay up-to-date with new developments in the field
  • the ability to identify real world problems that can be solved by engineering principles and techniques
  • the ability to apply the knowledge of science, mathematics and engineering to solve real word problems
  • the ability to work with small parts
  • knowledge electrical and electronics principles
  • knowledge of electrical and electronics measurements and instrumentations
  • knowledge of programming languages like MATLAB, PYTHON and JAVA
  • knowledge of electronic systems and safety practices associated with electronics engineering
  • knowledge of the laws and industry standards that apply to electronics engineering

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Alternative Careers

• Electrical Engineer
• Computer Engineer
• Biomedical Engineer
• Broadcast Engineer

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