Interested in the science behind electricity and how electronic systems work? Consider a career as an electrical and electronic engineer. Just as the name suggests, this field of engineering is largely focused on engineering as it relates to electricity.
Electrical and electronics engineering is the study, design, and application of equipment, devices, and systems that use electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism. It is concerned with the practical applications of electricity in all forms -from devices to electromagnetic fields. A degree in this field permits the knowledge of how electrical devices and technology works and covers electronics, signal processing, power engineering, mechatronics and engineering management.
What does an Electrical and Electronic engineer do?
Electrical engineers are concerned with the generation of power and electricity and their various applications in an electrical system. These engineers apply maths and science to design, develop, test, maintain and supervise the manufacturing of electrical equipment that solve technical problems. These types of equipment may include electric motors, radar and navigation systems, communications systems (portable music players and Global Positioning System (GPS) devices), or power generation equipment, electrical systems of automobiles and aircraft.
Electrical and electronic engineers solve societal needs using science and commercial applications. They achieve this by applying physics, electromagnetism and electronics to create devices that may produce or are powered by electricity. Often, electronics engineers develop new products considering several factors. They may specify precise functional requirements, design and test components, produce a final design and evaluate that design’s cost, effectiveness, safety and reliability.
They work on different forms of devices ranging from large aerospace electrical systems down to small pocket devices. Engineers test prototypes and evaluate, improve the functions of a system, handle wiring and construction plans for lighting installations in all types of buildings, automobiles and aircraft, design remote-controlled race cars and build technology for factories like robots that perform welding.
Duties of an electrical and electronic engineer
- Carries out related research to extend knowledge applicable to the field of electronics and applications of the basic research findings.
- Development of new materials, devices, and systems suitable for old or new product lines
- Design electronic components, software, equipments, products, for devices or systems manufacture used in commercial, medical, industrial, military, or scientific applications
- Application of advanced mathematical topics to develop manufacturing, construction, and installation standards and specifications
- Supervise the construction, manufacture, installation, and testing of electrical equipment ensuring that products meet safety procedures ,specifications and codes
- Create new ways to generate electricity.
- Design and develop electronic products ensuring quality control standards are observed in the manufacture
- Handle post production complaints, evaluate equipment performance, maintenance, and recommend solutions.
- Collaborate with project managers and factory hands on production adheres to design and projects are completed on time.
- Conduct feasibility studies to determine the requirements, capacity, and cost for constructing an electrical system plan
- Design, develop and test run new applications or a modification in the electronic properties used in parts and systems in order to improve technical performance
Education Information
An electrical and electronics engineer must possess a bachelor’s degree to pursue an electrical and electronics engineering career. Programs in electrical and electronics engineering maybe a 4 or 5-year study course depending on the institution. The program includes practice in the classroom, laboratories, and field studies; this gives the student an opportunity to receive on-the-job training while studying. Classes comprise advanced mathematics physics, computer science, social sciences, chemistry, statistics and basic principles of engineering.
They are taught digital systems design, differential equations, and electrical circuit theory. 6 or 1-year internships by students are also required to provide students with practical experience of their field before graduation. Electrical and electronics engineers may be divided into 3 majors: Communications engineering, Electronics and computer engineering and Power system engineering. Students are also taught computer programming and computer-aided design (CAD)
Higher certifications like a master’s degree or a PhD enable its holders to teach at higher institutions and work in research and development projects. In addition, an electrical and electronic engineering degree provides a sound theoretical basis for introducing new technology and advancing existing technology.
Degrees offered in the field may include
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
- Bachelor of Engineering
- Master of Engineering or Master of Science in Electrical Engineering
- Doctorate of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering.
Skills an EEE engineer should possess
- Solving problems and deviations creatively and innovatively
- Focused with the ability to concentrate wholly
- Leadership skills
- Should have a good mind’s eye and be able to visualise the reality of a project
- Effective communication in spoken and written forms as these engineers work with other technicians and are involved in technical publication too
- Work well in a team
- Advanced maths skills
- Project and time management
- Professional approach and ability to work to an ethical code of conduct.
Electrical and Electronics Engineers: Jobs and Career options
Depending on the major of an electrical and Electronics engineer, their specialities include aviation electronics, control systems, communications or signal processing. Electrical and electronics engineers may work across different kinds of industries and sectors as their expertise is needed in research laboratories, offices, factories, transportation, communication, technology, urban planning, federal government research, aviation, computing, and manufacturing. They also work on federal electronic devices and systems, including satellites, flight systems, radar and sonar systems, and communications systems.
Engineers whose work is related exclusively to computer hardware are considered computer hardware engineers
Some career paths in electrical and electronics engineering include
- Acoustic consultant
- Technical sales engineer
- Aerospace engineer
- Broadcast engineer
- Technical author
- CAD technician
- Software engineer
- Control and instrumentation engineer
- Management consultant
- Design engineer
- Machine learning engineer
- Electrical engineer
- Machine learning engineer
- Electronics engineer
- Machine learning engineer
- Nuclear engineer
- Special effects technician
- Land-based engineer
- Sound engineer
Salary and Employment Projections.
The need for an application of new electronic devices and technological innovation will favour job growth in electrical and electronics engineering. Job growth for electrical and electronics engineers will be largely in professional, industrial and research and development fields.
According to research, the average growth rate will be slower for electrical engineers. There is only a 6 per cent expected increase in the demands for these professionals in the next decade.
The average annual wage for electronics and electrical engineers, except computer engineers os is $107,540 / 53,770,000NGN
References
College Grad: Electrical and Electronics Engineers, career, salary and education information https://collegegrad.com/careers/electrical-and-electronics-engineers
Prospects: Electrical and electronic engineering https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/electrical-and-electronic-engineering#what-do-electrical-and-electronic-engineering-graduates-do
Campus Explorer: Electrical and Electronics Engineers https://www.campusexplorer.com/careers/01F94B11/electronics-engineers/
Britannica: Electrical and Electronics Engineers https://www.britannica.com/technology/electrical-and-electronics-engineering