Explore the dynamic world of engineering careers in electronics, plus seven industries that your degree will help you break into.
Electronic engineering is a sector that focuses on the study, design, and creation of equipment that uses electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism. The electrical industry will always need more people to innovate and develop new products, so why would you overlook this sector?
The demand for engineers is apparent in almost every engineering sector. However, electronic engineering remains one of the most popular. Jobs are available in various sectors and industries, so you should consider a career in electrical engineering.
In this article, we will delve into the exciting world of engineering careers in this field and highlight four top roles that shape the industry.
What is Electronic Engineering?
Electronic engineering, also called electronics engineering, encompasses the realm of engineering dedicated to electronic circuits, devices, and the systems and apparatus employing these innovations.
Numerous individuals have embraced electronic engineering as their vocation, finding their roles captivating and absorbing, and inherently challenging.
At its core, electronic engineering thrives on ingenuity. The entire engineering field revolves around the conceptualization, creation, operation, and maintenance of solutions catering to human needs.
Embarking on a journey in electronic engineering can be remarkably fulfilling. Encompassing a diverse array of domains under its overarching canopy, electronics engineering empowers aspiring professionals to handpick their niches. Moreover, the fluidity to transition from one domain to another ensures a perpetually enriching career journey for most individuals.
The ever-mutating job archetypes beckon adaptability, compelling prospective candidates to harbor an affable ‘roll-with-it’ demeanor – a trait much coveted by employers.
7 Promising Industries for Electronic Engineering Graduates
The allure of an electronic engineering degree often draws visions of the electronics industry itself, with its intricate circuits and cutting-edge gadgets. Yet, the horizons painted by this degree stretch far broader, encompassing realms within and beyond the traditional engineering landscape.
While the electronics industry beckons with familiarity, the avenues open to electronic engineering graduates are as diverse as the components they work with. It’s essential to recognize that while specific industries consistently seek out these skilled graduates, the particulars vary from employer to employer, making individual exploration imperative.
Here are just seven of the many industries where the prized skills of electronic engineering graduates are ardently sought after:
Fast-Moving Consumer Goods
“Most graduate roles in the fast-moving consumer goods industry are in one of two areas: manufacturing/engineering or supply networking operations/logistics,” Chris Traynor, a careers adviser, and former engineer and engineering recruiter, told Target Jobs in an interview.
For both areas, Traynor noted that the work is not defined in nice separate buckets of mechanical, electrical, chemical, etc. Still, it is usually a mixture of different engineering disciplines as a general manufacturing or logistics engineer. Graduates will learn skills from other fields through their training and career.
Automotive
Electronic engineers have become indispensable in the automotive sector, driving advancements across systems such as engine control units, safety features, infotainment setups, and the pivotal realms of autonomous, connected, and electrified vehicles. The call for their expertise, especially in power electronics, resonates loudly as electronics solidify their role in shaping the future of driving.
Power Generation
In the power generation domain, electronic engineers take center stage, orchestrating the design, construction, and upkeep of critical control and instrumentation components. From crafting SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) systems to shaping distributed control systems (DCS), their expertise spans a spectrum encompassing instruments, telephony, and data networks, forming the backbone of an efficient and technologically advanced energy landscape.
Aerospace
According to Eddie Orr, Chief of the Aerospace Sector at Rolls-Royce Electrical, electronic engineering graduates entering the aerospace industry are poised to delve into cutting-edge technology. Their role involves innovating and optimizing power-dense electrical controllers and electronics, seamlessly integrating them across diverse business sectors within Rolls-Royce.
Moreover, their expertise is pivotal in steering the industry toward the future, marked by a burgeoning emphasis on emerging hybrid and electric propulsion technologies in aerospace platforms.
Electronics
A graduate electronic engineer entering the electronics sector embarks on a multifaceted journey. The possibilities span design engineering, which shapes products and components from inception to launch, and applications engineering, guiding development throughout its lifespan.
Their expertise extends to intricate components, encompassing chips, integrated circuits, and key features like capacitors and resistors. Additionally, they wield their prowess in crafting devices powered by electricity, thus propelling innovation across a landscape defined by continuous transformation.
Materials and Metals
Peter Toms, Senior Engineering Manager at Tata Steel, emphasizes that within the materials and metals industry, electronic engineers assume a pivotal role. Their responsibilities encompass the meticulous maintenance of existing control and instrumentation systems and the enhancement of hardware and software design concepts.
The spectrum of activities encompasses fault diagnosis, simulation and modeling, and intricate data analysis. These experts could find themselves at the forefront, designing and orchestrating control systems for critical infrastructures like power stations, embodying the fusion of innovation and precision at the heart of this dynamic industry.
Marine
In the marine sector, electronic engineers either maintain or design vessels. They might develop radar systems for warships or sophisticated automation setups that streamline operations, reduce manpower at sea, and tackle pollution and operational costs head-on.
Why Choose This Thriving Sector?
If you’re contemplating a journey into this realm of engineering, here’s why it might be the perfect fit for you:
Transferable Skills: Employers crave diversity, seeking fresh perspectives to fuel innovation. While skills are vital, the fusion of unique backgrounds truly sparks ingenuity. Whether new to engineering or seeking a shift within electrical, your distinct approach holds immense value.
Unleash Your Creativity: If you’re bursting with ideas, the electrical sector provides a canvas for creativity. Collaborating with a dynamic team, you can bring your visions to life and be part of meaningful innovations.
Unwavering Demand: The global demand for electrical engineers ensures opportunities. Remote work and travel are often on the horizon, with chances to explore different locales. If the prospect of a dynamic work environment appeals to you, don’t hesitate to inquire about travel during interviews.
Endless Excitement: The realm of electrical engineering is a hotbed of constant evolution. New devices, both industrial and consumer, spring to life daily. With every product launch, the search for enhancement begins anew. By becoming part of this cycle, you’ll shape the future of technology and revel in the thrill of pioneering innovation.
References
What jobs can you do with an electronic engineering degree?
Why should you think about a career in electrical engineering?
