If you want to become an electronics engineer, you first need to determine if this career path is a good fit for you. If the following description sounds like you, then you’re probably well suited for it:
Those who become electronics engineers are individuals that have a genuine interest in electronics and electronic product development. They tend to enjoy the idea of specifying, designing, implementing and testing electronic products and systems for a living.
They must also have normal colour vision, and an education in electronics engineering. Electronics engineers also have great technical problem solving skills, excellent communication skills, and they must be able to make difficult decisions.
Below we've outlined what you'll need to begin a career as an electronics engineer. We've also included helpful information for this career, such as job description, job duties, salary expectations, a list of possible employers and much more!
Education Needed to Become an Electronics Engineer
You'll need a four year bachelor's degree in electronics engineering, or an electrical engineering degree with a major in electronics. Some employers hire only electronics engineering candidates who have a master's degree in electronics or electrical engineering.
If you want to work in research and development, you typically need a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in electronic or electrical engineering.
General Job Description
Electronics engineers are responsible for applying scientific and engineering principles in the research, design and development and testing of a wide range of electronic systems, products and equipment used in a variety of fields, such as:
•Instrumentation and control systems
•Computers and software
•Telecommunications
•Navigation and aviation
•Automotive
•Entertainment
•Health care and medicine
Typical Job Duties
• Plan projects and prepare associated budgets
• Develop and test theoretical designs
• Prepare product specifications
• Develop user-friendly interfaces
• Ensure that the product meets safety requirements and legislation
• Systematically improve the detailed design of a piece of electronic equipment
• Supervise technicians and other colleagues
• Prepare technical reports related to the product, its development and its usage
Who Employs Them?
Electronics engineers are hired by organizations in a range of industries that are involved in the research, design and development of electronic components and equipment.
•Telecommunications companies
•Private and public research organizations
•Medical instrument manufacturers and distributors
•The Armed Forces
•Government departments, such as Transportation and Communications
•Aerospace companies
•Oil, gas and mining companies
•Automobile manufacturers
•Domestic appliance manufacturers
•Industrial manufacturing organizations
•Colleges and universities
•Engineering consulting firms
Skills and Traits Needed to Be Successful
To become an electronics engineer you need to posses a certain set of skills and personality traits, as they will not only allow you to perform your job duties with competence; they will allow you to overcome the challenges of this career.
• A natural aptitude in math, science, technology and IT
• Normal colour vision
• A methodical approach to work
• Strong decision-making skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• The ability to prioritize and plan work effectively
• The ability to manage a budget
• The ability to work in a team environment
• Able to follow electrical health and safety regulations
• Patience and persistence with regards to work activities
• The ability to pay close attention to details
Gaining Career Experience as a Student
It is helpful to have relevant work experience when applying for your first job in the field after graduation. Luckily, most electrical engineering programs in Canada and the United States offer work placement programs as part of their curriculum. If your school does not offer such as placement, speak with your professors or your guidance counselors about your career ambitions, as they will likely be able to help you arrange a suitable opportunity.
Career Advancement Possibilities
Working as an engineer isn’t the only career option for electronics engineers; depending on their career ambitions, electronics engineers with enough career experience may become supervisors, managers, administrators or sales representatives. They may also choose to advance their education and move into research, development or teaching positions.
How Much Do They Earn?
The salary level of electronics engineers can vary, depending on their level of education, their level of experience, where they work, the specific responsibilities of their job, and many other factors.
Electronics Engineer Salary Canada: According to the 2018 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans working in the Electrical and Electronics Engineers occupational group earn an average salary of $98,528 per year. Unfortunately, no similar statistics were available from reliable sources for other Canadian provinces or territories at the time of writing (June 30, 2019).
Salary - United States: According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage of Electronics Engineers is $90,170 per year.
Current Job Openings
Our job board below has "electronics engineer" postings in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia (when available):
Similar Occupations in Our Database
Listed below are careers in our database that are similar in nature to 'electronics engineer', as they may involve many of the same skills, competencies and responsibilities.
References for This Career Guide
Please consult the references below to find more information on the various aspects of a career as an electronics engineer.
Occupations in Alberta: “Electrical Engineer.” (March 31, 2018). ALIS website - Alberta Learning Information Service. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
Architecture & Engineering: “Electrical and Electronics Engineers.” (September 4, 2019). Occupational Outlook Handbook - United States Bureau of Labor Statistics website. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
Explore Careers: “Electronics Engineer.” (n.d.). National Careers Service website. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
Scholarships for Becoming an Electronics Engineer
Scholarships listed for majors that apply to becoming an electronics engineer can be found on our All Scholarships by Major page, by finding the pages that correspond to the majors listed on our "Relevant Fields of Study" section below. Any scholarships found within those pages will be suitable.
Relevant Fields of Study in Our System
Studying one of the university majors listed below will serve as an excellent educational foundation for this career:
