Electrical engineers research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.

  • 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.
  • Design, implement, maintain, or improve electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, components, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, or domestic purposes.
  • Direct or coordinate manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance, support, documentation, or testing activities to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, or customer requirements.
  • Compile data and write reports regarding existing or potential electrical engineering studies or projects.
  • Perform detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, or installation standards or specifications.
  • Prepare specifications for purchases of materials or equipment.
  • Estimate labor, material, or construction costs for budget preparation purposes.
  • Supervise or train project team members, as necessary.
  • Conduct field surveys or study maps, graphs, diagrams, or other data to identify and correct power system problems.
  • Investigate customer or public complaints to determine the nature and extent of problems.
  • Oversee project production efforts to assure projects are completed on time and within budget.
  • Inspect completed installations and observe operations to ensure conformance to design and equipment specifications and compliance with operational, safety, or environmental standards.
  • Plan or implement research methodology or procedures to apply principles of electrical theory to engineering projects.
  • Design electrical systems or components that minimize electric energy requirements, such as lighting systems designed to account for natural lighting.
  • Plan layout of electric power generating plants or distribution lines or stations.
  • Assist in developing capital project programs for new equipment or major repairs.
  • Investigate or test vendors' or competitors' products.
  • Collect data relating to commercial or residential development, population, or power system interconnection to determine operating efficiency of electrical systems.
  • Develop systems that produce electricity with renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, or biofuels.
  • Integrate electrical systems with renewable energy systems to improve overall efficiency.
Work Context
  • Electronic Mail — 99% responded "Every day".
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 89% responded "Every day".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 72% responded "Every day".
  • Telephone — 62% responded "Every day".
  • Work With Work Group or Team — 65% responded "Extremely important".
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 64% responded "Very important".
  • Freedom to Make Decisions — 49% responded "A lot of freedom".
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Work Activities
  • Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.
  • Discuss designs or plans with clients.
  • Design structures or facilities.
  • Design electrical equipment or systems.
  • Maintain electronic equipment.
  • Operate computer systems.
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Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
  • Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Computers and Electronics
  • Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Design
  • Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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Skills

Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing
  • Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Complex Problem Solving
  • Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
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Abilities

Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Written Comprehension
  • The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Deductive Reasoning
  • The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Problem Sensitivity
  • The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Development environment software
  • National Instruments LabVIEW Hot Technology
  • Integrated development environment IDE software Hot Technology
  • Microsoft Visual Studio Hot Technology
  • Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition VBScript Hot Technology
  • Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA Hot Technology
  • Microsoft Visual Basic Hot Technology
  • Eclipse IDE Hot Technology
  • VHSIC hardware description language VHDL
  • Verilog
  • Programmable logic controller PLC code generation software
  • Ada
  • C
  • Altera hardware description language AHDL
  • Hardware description language HDL
  • Advanced boolean expression language ABEL
Computer aided design CAD software
  • Printed circuit board design software Hot Technology
  • MAGIC layout editor Hot Technology
  • PTC Creo Parametric Hot Technology
  • Keysight Technologies Advanced Design System Hot Technology
  • Floor planning software Hot Technology
  • Field programmable gate array FPGA design software Hot Technology
  • Schematic design entry software Hot Technology
  • Mentor Graphics Hot Technology
  • OrCAD Capture Hot Technology
  • Physical design software Hot Technology
  • Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS Hot Technology
  • Dassault Systemes CATIA Hot Technology
  • Computer aided design CAD software Hot Technology
  • Computer aided design and drafting software CADD Hot Technology
  • Bentley Microstation Hot Technology
  • Chip design software Hot Technology
  • Cadence Encounter Test Hot Technology
  • Cadence Allegro Design Entry Capture and Capture CIS Hot Technology
  • Autodesk Revit Hot Technology
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D Hot Technology
  • Zuken E3.schematic Hot Technology
  • Electronic design automation EDA software Hot Technology
  • Computer aided design and drafting CADD software Hot Technology
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Hot Technology
Operating system software
  • Linux Hot Technology
  • Microsoft Windows Hot Technology
  • Shell script Hot Technology
  • Microsoft Windows Server Hot Technology
  • UNIX Hot Technology
  • Bash Hot Technology
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Education

Get started on your career:

Job Outlook

New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
Salary
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