Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
The occupation Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians covers people who 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. O*NET rates it as medium preparation, which usually means one or two years of vocational training, an apprenticeship or an associate’s degree. It leans on reading comprehension, critical thinking, and troubleshooting. You may also need to review electrical engineering plans to ensure adherence to design specifications and compliance with applicable electrical codes and standards. Interest ratings put Realistic on top at 6.3 out of 7 and Investigative second, so the code is RIC and the day leans toward hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world. If you want hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, keep it on your list. If you need leading, persuading and making business decisions, it may feel thin.
What they do
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.
Main tasks
- Review electrical engineering plans to ensure adherence to design specifications and compliance with applicable electrical codes and standards.
- Read blueprints, wiring diagrams, schematic drawings, or engineering instructions for assembling electronics units, applying knowledge of electronic theory and components.
- Assemble, test, or maintain circuitry or electronic components, according to engineering instructions, technical manuals, or knowledge of electronics, using hand or power tools.
- Maintain system logs or manuals to document testing or operation of equipment.
- Modify, maintain, or repair electronics equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
- Compile and maintain records documenting engineering schematics, installed equipment, installation or operational problems, resources used, repairs, or corrective action performed.
Skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Troubleshooting
- Repairing
- Systems Evaluation
- Speaking
Who this career fits
May suit you if
- You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
- You enjoy working out why something happens, not just what happened.
- You are willing to put in a year or two of focused training.
- You are comfortable relying on reading comprehension and critical thinking.
May not suit you if
- You would rather stay away from physical, hands-on tasks.
- You want to lead people or run the business side. Enterprising rates 1.3 out of 7 here.
- You need to start within a few months, with no training period.
Interest profile
O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code RIC takes the three highest, and Realistic comes first here.
Preparation
Medium preparation. Expect vocational school, an apprenticeship, related experience or an associate’s degree, usually one or two years in total.
Also called
- Communication Technician (Communication Tech)
- Communications Technologist
- Electrical Engineering Technician (Electrical Engineering Tech)
- Electrical Technician (Electrical Tech)
- Electronic Engineering Technician (Electronic Engineering Tech)
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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 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.