Electronics engineer: Job description

Electronics engineer: Job description

Electronics is the technology associated with electronic circuits and systems, and is one of the major branches of electrical engineering.

Electronics engineers use scientific knowledge of the behaviour and effects of electrons to design, develop and test components, devices, systems or equipment that use electricity as part of their source of power. These components include capacitors, diodes, resistors and transistors.

Electronics engineers usually work in cross-functional project teams with colleagues in other branches of engineering.

Work can be found in a variety of areas as electronics are used in many things including:

• acoustics;
• defence;
• medical instruments;
• mobile phones;
• nanotechnology;
• radio and satellite communication;
• robotics.

Subfields of electronic engineering include:

• control engineering;
• instrumentation;
• signal processing;
• telecommunications engineering.

Typical work activities

Electronics engineers work on a project through all its stages; from the initial brief for a concept, through the design and development stage, to the testing of one or more prototypes, and through to the final manufacture and implementation of a new product or system.

Exact duties vary, depending on the industry, but tasks may include:

• discussing proposals with clients;
• working with colleagues to design new systems, circuits and devices or develop existing technology;
• testing theoretical designs;
• writing specifications and technical reports;
• following defined development processes;
• systematically improving the detailed design of a piece of electronic equipment;
• ensuring that a product will work with devices developed by others, can be made again reliably, and will perform consistently in specified operating environments;
• creating user-friendly interfaces;
• ensuring safety regulations are met;
• project planning and preparing budgets;
• attending meetings with subcontractors;
• supervising technicians, craftspeople and other colleagues;
• keeping up to date with developments in technologies and regulations.

The tasks carried out can vary depending on the level at which you work:

• Chartered engineers (CEng) have the greatest level of responsibility for complete engineering projects. They develop solutions to problems using new or existing technologies in a strategic role.
• Incorporated engineers (IEng) take responsibility for specific aspects of a project and day to day operations. They maintain and manage applications of current and developing technology.