Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
$72,800Median Wage (2023)
9,500Projected job openings (2023-2033)
3.0%Projected growth (2023-2033)
Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair, adjust, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff in making engineering design decisions.
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Detailed Work Activities
Maintain electronic equipment.
Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
Review technical documents to plan work.
Confer with other personnel to resolve design or operational problems.
Resolve operational performance problems.
Assemble equipment or components.
Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality.
Maintain operational records or records systems.
Select tools, equipment, or technologies for use in operations or projects.
Estimate operational costs.
Estimate technical or resource requirements for development or production projects.
Prepare project budgets.
Train personnel on proper operational procedures.
Direct installation activities.
Direct industrial production activities.
Document technical design details.
Design electrical equipment or systems.
Operate computer systems.
Purchase materials, equipment, or other resources.
Update technical knowledge.
Advise customers on the use of products or services.
Direct quality control activities.
Create schematic drawings for electronics.
Install instrumentation or electronic equipment or systems.
Create electrical schematics.
Interpret design or operational test results.
Analyze costs and benefits of proposed designs or projects.
Evaluate characteristics of equipment or systems.
Test green technologies or processes.
Determine operational criteria or specifications.
Work Values
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Recognition
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Tasks
Modify, maintain, or repair electronics equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
Replace defective components or parts, using hand tools and precision instruments.
Set up and operate specialized or standard test equipment to diagnose, test, or analyze the performance of electronic components, assemblies, or systems.
Read blueprints, wiring diagrams, schematic drawings, or engineering instructions for assembling electronics units, applying knowledge of electronic theory and components.
Identify and resolve equipment malfunctions, working with manufacturers or field representatives as necessary to procure replacement parts.
Assemble electrical systems or prototypes, using hand tools or measuring instruments.
Review electrical engineering plans to ensure adherence to design specifications and compliance with applicable electrical codes and standards.
Assemble, test, or maintain circuitry or electronic components, according to engineering instructions, technical manuals, or knowledge of electronics, using hand or power tools.
Review existing electrical engineering criteria to identify necessary revisions, deletions, or amendments to outdated material.
Maintain system logs or manuals to document testing or operation of equipment.
Select electronics equipment, components, or systems to meet functional specifications.
Calculate design specifications or cost, material, and resource estimates, and prepare project schedules and budgets.
Educate equipment operators on the proper use of equipment.
Supervise the installation or operation of electronic equipment or systems.
Compile and maintain records documenting engineering schematics, installed equipment, installation or operational problems, resources used, repairs, or corrective action performed.
Modify electrical prototypes, parts, assemblies, or systems to correct functional deviations.
Integrate software or hardware components, using computer, microprocessor, or control architecture.
Procure parts and maintain inventory and related documentation.
Participate in training or continuing education activities to stay abreast of engineering or industry advances.
Research equipment or component needs, sources, competitive prices, delivery times, or ongoing operational costs.
Provide user applications or engineering support or recommendations for new or existing equipment with regard to installation, upgrades, or enhancements.
Specify, coordinate, or conduct quality control or quality assurance programs or procedures.
Produce electronics drawings or other graphics representing industrial control, instrumentation, sensors, or analog or digital telecommunications networks, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
Install or maintain electrical control systems, industrial automation systems, or electrical equipment, including control circuits, variable speed drives, or programmable logic controllers.
Design or modify engineering schematics for electrical transmission and distribution systems or for electrical installation in residential, commercial, or industrial buildings, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
Interpret test information to resolve design-related problems.
Conduct statistical studies to analyze or compare production costs for sustainable or nonsustainable designs.
Construct and evaluate electrical components for consumer electronics applications such as fuel cells for consumer electronic devices, power saving devices for computers or televisions, or energy efficient power chargers.
Participate in the development or testing of electrical aspects of new green technologies, such as lighting, optical data storage devices, and energy efficient televisions.
Review, develop, or prepare maintenance standards.
Work Styles
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Leadership
Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Social Orientation
Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Innovation
Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 28.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
