What Kinds of Jobs Are in Electrical Engineering?

What Is Electrical Engineering?

by | October 11th, 2023

electrical engineering jobs

Are you an inventor or builder? Do you love to solve complex problems? Electrical engineers are inventors, designers, and builders who find creative ways to advance technology. You have to have an interest in engineering, too!

Electrical engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with the technology of electricity. It specifically deals with electricity, electro-magnetism, and electronics, as well as power, control systems, telecommunications, and signal processing.

Electrical engineers use physics and math to design and develop electrical equipment and systems, to solve problems, and to test equipment. They work on projects ranging from designing household appliances, to designing satellite communication systems and electrical power stations.

What Does an Electrical Engineer Do?

Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacturing of electrical equipment like motors, navigation systems, and power generation systems. Some other duties of electrical engineers include:

  • Design ways to use electrical power to develop or improve products
  • Develop manufacturing, construction, and installation standards and specifications
  • Direct the manufacture, installation, and testing of electrical equipment to ensure products meet safety codes
  • Investigate customer complaints, evaluate problems, and recommend solutions
  • Work with staff to ensure projects are completed well, on time, and within budget
    • Power up your career with a BS in Electrical Engineering Technology.

    What Types of Careers Are in Electrical Engineering?

    Before choosing to be an electrical engineer, it’s important to know that there are several types of electrical engineering fields. What area you choose depends on your interests and the academic education you pursue. Several industries of electrical engineering include:

  • The information technology industry
  • The energy industry
  • The aerospace industry
  • The telecommunications industry
  • The transportation industry
  • The health care industry
  • The robotics industry

    • To get a job in many of the areas above, you need a bachelor’s degree and, for some, a master’s degree.
    Now let’s look at some of the careers you can pursue in these different areas:

  • Electronics engineer—An electronics engineer designs, builds, tests, and oversees electronic devices and systems.
  • Electrician—An electrician uses electrical engineering knowledge and skills to install, maintain, and repair things that require electrical energy to be operational. They work in industries from construction to telecommunications.
  • Computer hardware engineer—A computer hardware engineer uses electrical engineering knowledge to develop components and systems that enable computer systems to function correctly.
  • Solar photovoltaic technician—A solar photovoltaic technician maintains energy systems that convert the sun’s power into electricity by assembling, maintaining, and repairing system components.
  • Biomedical engineer—A biomedical engineer develops the electrical functionalities of equipment used in health care. They develop diagnostics equipment, build devices that replace body parts, install and maintain equipment, and collaborate with scientists on how best to use biological systems.
  • Robotics engineer—A robotics engineer designs and builds robots. They design complex, high-performance machines, including building sensors for detecting environmental stimuli, developing prototypes, and testing prototypes.
  • Mechanical engineer—A mechanical engineer designs and builds machines, automobiles, and components that are powered by electrical systems.
  • Industrial engineer—An industrial engineer designs and builds systems that provide a service. They work with materials, electricity, equipment, information, and workers to meet project requirements and achieve targets.

    • Job Outlook of Electrical Engineering

    You might be asking yourself if electrical engineering is a good profession to get into and what the future has in store for these kinds of jobs. The great news is that according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of electrical engineers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2020 to 2030.

    More than 20,000 openings for electrical engineers are projected each year, on average, over the next decade. Many of these openings are expected from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as by retiring.

    Job growth for electrical engineers is projected to occur largely in professional, scientific, and technical services firms. The rapid pace of technological innovation will create some demand for electrical engineers in research and development, where expertise is needed to design systems related to new technologies.

    The average salary for electrical engineers was $100,830 in May 2020.

    How to Become an Electrical Engineer

    As previously mentioned, those wishing to become an electrical engineer must have a bachelor’s degree. Employers also value practical experience, such as internships or participation in student engineering programs.

    At Excelsior College, the fully online Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology program prepares you for electrical and allied engineering technology positions in technology-related industries such as electronics, electrical power, semiconductors and computers, and nanotechnology. The program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, which is a requirement for your education if you want to get a job in an electrical engineering career.

    You don’t need to have a license for entry-level positions as electrical engineers, but a Professional Engineering (PE) license can allow you to reach higher levels of leadership and licensed engineers are called professional engineers (PEs). Each state issues its own licenses and most states recognize licensure from other states. Some states require you to continue your education to keep your license.

    Does electrical engineering sound like the career field you might like to enter? If so, contact an Excelsior College admissions counselor to get started on your educational journey to enter this fast-paced and exciting profession.